Modelling Autonomous Mobile Robot Interaction with IIoT Environments

This article studies the deployment of autonomous robots in smart environments equipped with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) infrastructure. First, we characterize state-of-the-art IIoT solutions based on a bibliographic and openweb surveys, focusing on the interaction between autonomous robots and the IIoT infrastructures in the context of Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) paradigm. Then, we define the criteria and requirements for optimal integration of a robot team equipped with an Internet of Vehicles (IoV) communication protocol with an existing IIoT. Sensors, edge devices, and data exchange algorithms are highlighted as crucial elements of seamless soft- and hardware integration. Establishing a quick interaction of robot decision-making algorithms with IIoT is seen as instrumental in identifying bottlenecks and vulnerabilities of the overall system, and a key to its desired performance. Another relevant issue is safety assurance of robot team in an IIoT environment as reflected in the appropriate standards that advocate responsible and sustainable technological progress in AI-enabled robotic systems. Finally, we will provide a real-life application example illustrating the principles and advantages of appropriate multirobot team integration in covered crops smart horticulture. This example pertains to the relevant area of Agricultural IoT (AIoT) applications, specifically focusing on the design of autonomous fruit-picking robots embedded in a greenhouse or polytunnel control infrastructures. Existing AIoT and crop control is integrated with robot software such as anticipatory coordination algorithms, world model building, navigation, and SLAM. Optimal integration is reached via a prior simulation with a dedicated Digital Twin application implemented in Matlab.