Conference Agenda

Modern robotics applications increasingly demand heterogeneous multi-robot fleets to simultaneously handle diverse, specialized tasks such as collaborative material transport, manipulation, and sorting that single-purpose automation systems cannot manage alone. However, executing these complex logistical processes and scientific experiments requires advanced process control systems capable of managing highly dynamic and intricate workflows. While existing fleet management solutions often lack the flexibility to handle diverse robotic capabilities, this paper introduces a comprehensive process control concept specifically designed for the orchestration and monitoring of diverse robotic agents. This concept directly addresses the challenge of dynamically coordinating interdependent, multi-robot tasks without relying on hardcoded workflows. Rather than focusing on the underlying software architecture, the primary emphasis is placed on the core order-modeling and control mechanisms that enable the seamless definition and coordination of complex, multi-robot workflows.

At the heart of the proposed concept is a highly flexible order definition framework. The foundational order structure is broadly oriented toward the VDA 5050 standard, adopting core concepts like nodes, edges, and actions for order creation, transmission, and monitoring. To meet the demands of advanced robotic operations, such as tightly coupled multi-robot collaboration, real-time reactive behaviors, and environment-dependent task execution, this structure is significantly extended by a suite of powerful control mechanisms. These include flexible start and end conditions, spatial zones for coordination, and the use of runtime placeholders. These placeholders allow action parameters to be dynamically assigned during execution using real-time data or results from other system components.

To manage the temporal and logical dependencies between multiple robots, the concept incorporates a dedicated cross-order coordination backbone. This framework supports synchronization actions, such as sync lists and specific triggers, as well as the capacity for repeating orders that loop dynamically based on defined events, robot states, or manual user confirmations via a graphical interface. The capabilities of this process control framework are demonstrated through complex, multi-robot use cases, such as the collaborative transport of large loads and the boarding process of a delivery robot into an autonomous shuttle.

Finally, the paper addresses current limitations regarding the ongoing expansion efforts of existing standards and outlines future conceptual pathways to scale the process control system for next-generation robotic research environments.