A method for service robot development based on a design structure matrix

摘要

Although service robots that provide useful services to people are attracting attention, the majority of service robots do not reach the market. Various elements such as people to physical products are involved in the provision of services, and it is necessary to consider the interaction with each factor in the design. Furthermore, services are normally produced and consumed simultaneously; it is necessary to improve the robot even in the service provision phase. Modular design is an effective method for the continuous improvement of systems. However, few methods have considered robots and other service elements in an integrated manner. In this research, we propose a tool called the Service Robot Design Matrix (SRDM) to implement service robots design. SRDM represents the relationship among the elements of robots and service systems comprehensively. Additionally, the design structure matrix (DSM) is applied to modularize these elements to increase the ease of changing the service robot. Finally, SRDM is applied to an actual case of service robot design to validate its effectiveness. The designed service robot was developed by Team TAK and earned 2nd place in the Future Convenience Store Challenge (FCSC) at the World Robot Summit 2020 (WRS2020).