Control system with task manager

A system, comprising:

• a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with stationary equipment, 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 stationary equipment, 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, and
• the first and second robotic machines are configured to coordinate performance of the first and second sequences of sub-tasks, respectively, to accomplish a task that involves manipulating a target object that is distinct from the first and second robotic machines, the target object being on the stationary equipment, and
• 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, and
• the first robotic machine is configured to perform the first sequence of sub-tasks by identifying the target object and moving the second robotic machine from a first location to a second location such that the second robotic machine at the second location is positioned relative to the target object to complete the second sequence of sub-tasks, the second robotic machine being closer to the target object at the second location than at the first location, and
• the second robotic machine is configured to perform one or more sub-tasks of the second sequence of sub-tasks at the second location by manipulating the target object based at least in part on the sensor signal.

A method for a first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with stationary equipment and a second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the stationary equipment, 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, 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:

• 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;
• and
• performing the first and second sequences of sub-tasks to accomplish a task comprising manipulating a target object on the stationary equipment;
• wherein the first robotic machine performs the first sequence of sub-tasks by:
• identifying the target object on the stationary equipment;
• determining at least two of:
• a position of the target object, a position of the first robotic machine, and a position of the second robotic machine;
• 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 closer to the target object than in the first location;
• and
• providing to the second robotic machine, directly or indirectly, a sensor signal having information about the target object, and
• the second robotic machine performs one or more sub-tasks of the second sequence of sub-tasks by manipulating the target object based on the sensor signal.