US-12626033-B2 - Simulating resource exchange in multi-machine environment

Abstract

An embodiment for simulating an exchange of resources in a multi-machine environment is provided. The embodiment may include receiving data relating to an activity and one or more machines to perform the activity. The embodiment may also include identifying each part of the one or more machines. The embodiment may further include creating a digital twin model of each identified part. The embodiment may also include executing a digital twin simulation of the activity. The embodiment may further include in response to determining at least one machine is associated with an insufficient resource, identifying a required resource and at least one machine having the required resource. The embodiment may also include exchanging the insufficient resource of the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource for the required resource of the at least one machine having the required resource.

Inventors

• Nitika Sharma
• Akash U. Dhoot
• Shailendra Moyal
• Sarbajit K. Rakshit

Assignees

• INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20220216

Claims (17)

1. 1 . A computer-based method of simulating an exchange of resources in a multi-machine environment, the method comprising: receiving data relating to an activity and one or more machines to perform the activity; identifying each part of the one or more machines based on the data relating to the one or more machines; creating a digital twin model of each identified part of the one or more machines, wherein the digital twin model of each identified part is assembled to form a digital twin of the one or more machines; executing a plurality of digital twin simulations of the activity based on the digital twin of the one or more machines and the data relating to the activity, wherein a first digital twin simulation of the plurality of digital twin simulations includes a first digital twin machine having a full battery life and a titanium gripper and a second digital twin machine having a 50% battery life and a plastic gripper, wherein a second digital twin simulation of the plurality of digital twin simulations includes the first digital twin machine having less than the 50% battery life and the titanium gripper and the second digital twin machine having greater than the 50% battery life but less than the full battery life and the plastic gripper; determining whether at least one machine of the one or more machines is associated with an insufficient resource to perform the activity based on the plurality of digital twin simulations, wherein the insufficient resource includes a deformity in at least one part of the at least one machine; in response to determining the at least one machine is associated with the insufficient resource, identifying a required resource and at least one machine of the one or more machines having the required resource based on the data relating to the one or more machines to perform the activity; and directly exchanging the insufficient resource of the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource for the required resource of the at least one machine having the required resource, wherein the insufficient resource directly exchanged includes the at least one part of the at least one machine having the deformity, wherein the direct exchanging is performed optimally based on a time required to complete the exchange and a time required to complete the activity, wherein a first machine associated with a first insufficient resource has a first required resource and a second machine having a second required resource is associated with a second insufficient resource.
2. 2 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , further comprising: validating the exchange by executing an updated digital twin simulation with the required resource applied to the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource.
3. 3 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , wherein identifying each part of the one or more machines further comprises: identifying at least one detachable part capable of being self-exchanged between the one or more machines.
4. 4 . The computer-based method of claim 2 , wherein validating the exchange further comprises: exchanging the required resource for an additional required resource in response to determining a problem is detected in the updated digital twin simulation.
5. 5 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , wherein the required resource is selected from a group consisting of a detachable part capable of performing the activity and an adequate battery level to perform the activity.
6. 6 . The computer-based method of claim 5 , wherein when the required resource is the adequate battery level to perform the activity, the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource obtains a charge, via charge sharing, from the at least one machine having the required resource.
7. 7 . A computer system, the computer system comprising: one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more computer-readable memories, wherein the computer system is capable of performing a method comprising: receiving data relating to an activity and one or more machines to perform the activity; identifying each part of the one or more machines based on the data relating to the one or more machines; creating a digital twin model of each identified part of the one or more machines, wherein the digital twin model of each identified part is assembled to form a digital twin of the one or more machines; executing a plurality of digital twin simulations of the activity based on the digital twin of the one or more machines and the data relating to the activity, wherein a first digital twin simulation of the plurality of digital twin simulations includes a first digital twin machine having a full battery life and a titanium gripper and a second digital twin machine having a 50% battery life and a plastic gripper, wherein a second digital twin simulation of the plurality of digital twin simulations includes the first digital twin machine having less than the 50% battery life and the titanium gripper and the second digital twin machine having greater than the 50% battery life but less than the full battery life and the plastic gripper; determining whether at least one machine of the one or more machines is associated with an insufficient resource to perform the activity based on the plurality of digital twin simulations, wherein the insufficient resource includes a deformity in at least one part of the at least one machine; in response to determining the at least one machine is associated with the insufficient resource, identifying a required resource and at least one machine of the one or more machines having the required resource based on the data relating to the one or more machines to perform the activity; and directly exchanging the insufficient resource of the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource for the required resource of the at least one machine having the required resource, wherein the insufficient resource directly exchanged includes the at least one part of the at least one machine having the deformity, wherein the direct exchanging is performed optimally based on a time required to complete the exchange and a time required to complete the activity, wherein a first machine associated with a first insufficient resource has a first required resource and a second machine having a second required resource is associated with a second insufficient resource.
8. 8 . The computer system of claim 7 , further comprising: validating the exchange by executing an updated digital twin simulation with the required resource applied to the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource.
9. 9 . The computer system of claim 7 , wherein identifying each part of the one or more machines further comprises: identifying at least one detachable part capable of being self-exchanged between the one or more machines.
10. 10 . The computer system of claim 8 , wherein validating the exchange further comprises: exchanging the required resource for an additional required resource in response to determining a problem is detected in the updated digital twin simulation.
11. 11 . The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the required resource is selected from a group consisting of a detachable part capable of performing the activity and an adequate battery level to perform the activity.
12. 12 . The computer system of claim 11 , wherein when the required resource is the adequate battery level to perform the activity, the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource obtains a charge, via charge sharing, from the at least one machine having the required resource.
13. 13 . A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor capable of performing a method, the method comprising: receiving data relating to an activity and one or more machines to perform the activity; identifying each part of the one or more machines based on the data relating to the one or more machines; creating a digital twin model of each identified part of the one or more machines, wherein the digital twin model of each identified part is assembled to form a digital twin of the one or more machines; executing a plurality of digital twin simulations of the activity based on the digital twin of the one or more machines and the data relating to the activity, wherein a first digital twin simulation of the plurality of digital twin simulations includes a first digital twin machine having a full battery life and a titanium gripper and a second digital twin machine having a 50% battery life and a plastic gripper, wherein a second digital twin simulation of the plurality of digital twin simulations includes the first digital twin machine having less than the 50% battery life and the titanium gripper and the second digital twin machine having greater than the 50% battery life but less than the full battery life and the plastic gripper; determining whether at least one machine of the one or more machines is associated with an insufficient resource to perform the activity based on the plurality of digital twin simulations, wherein the insufficient resource includes a deformity in at least one part of the at least one machine; in response to determining the at least one machine is associated with the insufficient resource, identifying a required resource and at least one machine of the one or more machines having the required resource based on the data relating to the one or more machines to perform the activity; and directly exchanging the insufficient resource of the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource for the required resource of the at least one machine having the required resource, wherein the insufficient resource directly exchanged includes the at least one part of the at least one machine having the deformity, wherein the direct exchanging is performed optimally based on a time required to complete the exchange and a time required to complete the activity, wherein a first machine associated with a first insufficient resource has a first required resource and a second machine having a second required resource is associated with a second insufficient resource.
14. 14 . The computer program product of claim 13 , further comprising: validating the exchange by executing an updated digital twin simulation with the required resource applied to the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource.
15. 15 . The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein identifying each part of the one or more machines further comprises: identifying at least one detachable part capable of being self-exchanged between the one or more machines.
16. 16 . The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein validating the exchange further comprises: exchanging the required resource for an additional required resource in response to determining a problem is detected in the updated digital twin simulation.
17. 17 . The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the required resource is selected from a group consisting of a detachable part capable of performing the activity and an adequate battery level to perform the activity.

Description

BACKGROUND The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, and more particularly to a system for simulating an exchange of resources in a multi-machine environment. Machines, such as robots, are currently used to perform a wide variety of activities in an industrial environment. Some of these activities were previously exclusively performed by humans (e.g., repetitive tasks on a manufacturing assembly line), whereas other activities require heavy machinery to lift and/or move objects. Machines enable organizations, including manufacturers and construction companies, to carry out a wide variety of activities more seamlessly than humans, getting work done faster and with minimum wasted effort. These machines have differing skills and capabilities, and can perform activities individually and/or collaboratively. As automation becomes commonplace, the demand for machines and robotic technology is expected to increase in the coming decades. SUMMARY According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for simulating an exchange of resources in a multi-machine environment is provided. The embodiment may include receiving data relating to an activity and one or more machines to perform the activity. The embodiment may also include identifying each part of the one or more machines based on the data relating to the one or more machines. The embodiment may further include creating a digital twin model of each identified part of the one or more machines. The digital twin model of each identified part may be assembled to form a digital twin of the one or more machines. The embodiment may also include executing a digital twin simulation of the activity based on the digital twin of the one or more machines and the data relating to the activity. The embodiment may further include in response to determining at least one machine is associated with an insufficient resource, identifying a required resource and at least one machine of the one or more machines having the required resource based on the data relating to the one or more machines to perform the activity. The embodiment may also include exchanging the insufficient resource of the at least one machine associated with the insufficient resource for the required resource of the at least one machine having the required resource. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. The various features of the drawings are not to scale as the illustrations are for clarity in facilitating one skilled in the art in understanding the invention in conjunction with the detailed description. In the drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary networked computer environment according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates an operational flowchart for simulating an exchange of resources in a multi-machine environment in a resource exchange simulation process according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram depicting machines with detachable parts interacting with each other according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of internal and external components of computers and servers depicted in FIG. 1 according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 5 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosed herein; however, it can be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the claimed structures and methods that may be embodied in various forms. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of computing, and more particularly to a system for simulating an exchange of resources in a multi-machine environment. The following described exemplary embodiments provide a system, method, and program product to, among other things, determine whether an insufficient resource associated with a machine (e.g., low battery) is detected during a digital twin simulation and, accordingly, exchange the insufficient resource of the machine assoc