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Automation of robotic assembly processes on the basis of an architecture of human cognition

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Abstract

A novel concept to cognitive automation of robotic assembly processes is introduced. An experimental assembly cell with two robots was designed to verify and validate the concept. The cell’s numerical control—termed a cognitive control unit (CCU)—is able to simulate human information processing at a rule-based level of cognitive control. To enable the CCU to work on a large range of assembly tasks expected of a human operator, the cognitive architecture SOAR is used. On the basis of a self-developed set of production rules within the knowledge base, the CCU can plan assembly processes autonomously and react to ad-hoc changes in assembly sequences effectively. Extensive simulation studies have shown that cognitive automation based on SOAR is especially suitable for random parts supply, which reduces planning effort in logistics. Conversely, a disproportional increase in processing time was observed for deterministic parts supply, especially for assemblies containing large numbers of identical parts.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the German Research Foundation (DFG) for its kind support of the research on cognitive automation within the Cluster of Excellence Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Marcel Ph. Mayer, Christopher M. Schlick, Sinem Kuz, Barbara Odenthal & Bernhard Kausch

  2. Institute of Information Management in Mechanical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Daniel Ewert

  3. Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Daniel Behnen

Authors
  1. Marcel Ph. Mayer
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  2. Christopher M. Schlick
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  3. Daniel Ewert
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  4. Daniel Behnen
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  5. Sinem Kuz
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  6. Barbara Odenthal
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  7. Bernhard Kausch
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Correspondence to Marcel Ph. Mayer.

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Mayer, M.P., Schlick, C.M., Ewert, D. et al. Automation of robotic assembly processes on the basis of an architecture of human cognition. Prod. Eng. Res. Devel. 5, 423–431 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11740-011-0316-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11740-011-0316-z

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