Neural Network Mapping of Industrial Robots’ Task Times for Real-Time Process Optimization

The ability to predict the maximal performance of an industrial robot executing non-deterministic tasks can improve process productivity through time-based planning and scheduling strategies. These strategies require the configuration and the comparison of a large number of tasks in real time for making a decision; therefore, an efficient task execution time estimation method is required. In this work, we propose the use of neural network models to approximate the task time function of a generic multi-DOF robot; the models are trained using data obtained from sophisticated motion planning algorithms that optimize the shape of the trajectory and the executed motion law, taking into account the kinematic and dynamic model of the robot. For scheduling purposes, we propose to evaluate only the neural network models, thus confining the online use of the motion planning software to the full definition of the actually scheduled task. The proposed neural network model presents a uniform interface and an implementation procedure that is easily adaptable to generic robots and tasks. The paper’s results show that the models are accurate and more efficient than the full planning pipeline, having evaluation times compatible with real-time process optimization.