Title
Digital twin-driven deep reinforcement learning for adaptive task allocation in robotic construction
Abstract
In order to accomplish diverse tasks successfully in a dynamic (i.e., changing over time) construction environment, robots should be able to prioritize assigned tasks to optimize their performance in a given state. Recently, a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach has shown potential for addressing such adaptive task allocation. It remains unanswered, however, whether or not DRL can address adaptive task allocation problems in dynamic robotic construction environments. In this paper, we developed and tested a digital twin-driven DRL learning method to explore the potential of DRL for adaptive task allocation in robotic construction environments. Specifically, the digital twin synthesizes sensory data from physical assets and is used to simulate a variety of dynamic robotic construction site conditions within which a DRL agent can interact. As a result, the agent can learn an adaptive task allocation strategy that increases project performance. We tested this method with a case project in which a virtual robotic construction project (i.e., interlocking concrete bricks are delivered and assembled by robots) was digitally twinned for DRL training and testing. Results indicated that the DRL model’s task allocation approach reduced construction time by 36% in three dynamic testing environments when compared to a rule-based imperative model. The proposed DRL learning method promises to be an effective tool for adaptive task allocation in dynamic robotic construction environments. Such an adaptive task allocation method can help construction robots cope with uncertainties and can ultimately improve construction project performance by efficiently prioritizing assigned tasks.
Year
DOI
Venue
2022
10.1016/j.aei.2022.101710
Advanced Engineering Informatics
Keywords
DocType
Volume
Digital Twin,Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO),Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL),Autonomous Robot,Adaptive Task Allocation
Journal
53
ISSN
Citations 
PageRank 
1474-0346
0
0.34
References 
Authors
0
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Dongmin Lee100.34
SangHyun Lee200.34
Neda Masoud300.34
M.S. Krishnan400.34
Victor C. Li500.34