Control system with task manager

A system, comprising:

• a task manager including one or more processors and a communication circuit operably connected to the one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to determine capability requirements to perform a task on a target object on a plurality of equipment, the plurality of equipment including vehicles or stationary equipment, and the one or more processors configured to determine a series of sub-tasks to perform the task, with the sub-tasks having one or more of the capability requirements,
• the one or more processors configured to assign a first sequence of the sub-tasks to a first robotic machine for performance by the first robotic machine, the first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with the target object, and the first sequence of the sub-tasks assigned to the first robotic machine based at least in part on the first set of capabilities corresponding to the capability requirements associated with the first sequence of the sub-tasks,
• and the one or more processors configured to assign a second sequence of the sub-tasks to a second robotic machine for performance by the second robotic machine, the second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object, and the second sequence of the sub-tasks assigned to the second robotic machine based at least in part on the second set of capabilities corresponding to the capability requirements associated with the second sequence of the sub-tasks, wherein at least one of the first set of capabilities of the first robotic machine differs from the second set of capabilities of the second robotic machine,
• the sub-tasks in the first sequence assigned to the first robotic machine include the first robotic machine identifying the target object, moving to the target object, and communicating a signal to the second robotic machine, the signal including status information of the target object on a first piece of equipment of the plurality of equipment,
• the sub-tasks in the second sequence assigned to the second robotic machine include the second robotic machine moving to the target object on the first piece of equipment, based on the status information from the first robotic machine, and manipulating the target object via a robotic arm of the second robotic machine,
• the communication circuit configured to communicate the first sequence of the sub-tasks to the first robotic machine and communicate the second sequence of the sub-tasks to the second robotic machine, and the first and second robotic machines being configured to perform at least some of the first and second sequences of sub-tasks, respectively, while both the first and second robotic machines are proximate the target object, to accomplish the task.

A method comprising:

• determining capability requirements to perform a task on a target object on one of a vehicle or stationary equipment;
• determining a series of sub-tasks to perform the task, with the sub-tasks having one or more of the capability requirements;
• assigning a first sequence of the sub-tasks to a first robotic machine for performance by the first robotic machine, the first robotic machine having a first set of capabilities for interacting with the target object, and the first sequence of the sub-tasks assigned to the first robotic machine based at least in part on the first set of capabilities corresponding to the capability requirements associated with the first sequence of the sub-tasks;
• assigning a second sequence of the sub-tasks to a second robotic machine for performance by the second robotic machine, the second robotic machine having a second set of capabilities for interacting with the target object at least one of which is different than the first set of capabilities of the first robotic machine, and the second sequence of the sub-tasks assigned to the second robotic machine based at least in part on the second set of capabilities corresponding to the capability requirements associated with the second sequence of the sub-tasks;
• controlling the first robotic machine, according to the first sequence of sub-tasks assigned to the first robotic machine for performing the task on the target object, to travel along a length of the vehicle or stationary equipment to the target object and identify a location of the target object;
• controlling the first robotic machine, according to the first sequence of sub-tasks, to communicate a signal to the second robotic machine, the signal including location information of the target object;
• responsive to the second robotic machine receiving the signal, controlling the second robotic machine, according to the second sequence of sub-tasks assigned to the second robotic machine for performing the task on the target object, to approach the target object and manipulate the target object via a robotic arm of the second robotic machine,
• the first and second robotic machines performing at least some of the first and second sequences of sub-tasks, respectively, while both the first and second robotic machines are proximate the target object, to accomplish the task.