Vehicle control system with task manager

A vehicle control system comprising:

• a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a surrounding environment associated with a vehicle or a consist that includes the vehicle, the first robotic machine being configured to receive a first sequence of sub-tasks related to the first set of capabilities of the first robotic machine;
• and
• a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the surrounding environment, the second robotic machine being configured to receive a second sequence of sub-tasks related to the second set of capabilities of the second robotic machine,
• wherein the first and second robotic machines are configured to perform the first and second sequences of sub-tasks, respectively, to accomplish a task that involves at least one of manipulating or inspecting a target object that is distinct from the first and second robotic machines, the target object being onboard the vehicle or the consist that includes the vehicle, the first and second robotic machines being configured to coordinate performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine,
• wherein the first robotic machine is configured to provide to the second robotic machine, directly or indirectly, a sensor signal having information about the target object,
• wherein the first robotic machine is configured to perform one or more of the first sequence of sub-tasks by moving the second robotic machine from a first location to a second location such that the second robotic machine in the second location is positioned relative to the target object to complete one or more of the second sequence of sub-tasks than if the second robotic machine is in the first location,
• wherein the first robotic machine is configured to identify the target object and determine at least two of:
• a position of the target object, a position of the first robotic machine, and/or a position of the second robotic machine, and
• wherein the second robotic machine is configured to perform one or more of the second sequence of sub-tasks by manipulating the target object.

A vehicle control method for a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with a surrounding environment associated with a vehicle or a consist that includes the vehicle, the first robotic machine being configured to receive a first sequence of sub-tasks related to the first set of capabilities of the first robotic machine, and a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the surrounding environment, the second robotic machine being configured to receive a second sequence of sub-tasks related to the second set of capabilities of the second robotic machine, the method comprising:

• performing the first and second sequences of sub-tasks to accomplish a task comprising at least one of manipulating or inspecting a target object onboard the vehicle or the consist that includes the vehicle;
• and
• with at least one processor, coordinating performance of the first sequence of sub-tasks by the first robotic machine with performance of the second sequence of sub-tasks by the second robotic machine,
• wherein the first robotic machine provides to the second robotic machine, directly or indirectly, a sensor signal having information about the target object,
• wherein the first robotic machine performs one or more of the first sequence of sub-tasks by moving the second robotic machine from a first location to a second location such that the second robotic machine in the second location is positioned relative to the target object to complete one or more of the second sequence of sub-tasks than if the second robotic machine is in the first location,
• wherein the first robotic machine identifies the target object and determine at least two of:
• a position of the target object, a position of the first robotic machine, and/or a position of the second robotic machine, and
• wherein the second robotic machine performs one or more of the second sequence of sub-tasks by manipulating the target object.