Future

Problem Solving New Zealand (FPSNZ) 2023 Qualifying Problem

ROBOTIC WORKFORCE Middle / Senior Division
2043 – the era of peak climate turbulence. In addition to more violent storms are the ever-present threats of
various tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Hence, the development of the International Disaster
Emergency Assistance Syndicate (IDEAS). Its mission: Develop a cobotic emergency response workforce to
assist when global disasters strike. Their cobotic team, comprised of both robots and humans, is funded by
robot taxes from many developed countries, grants, and donations. IDEAS will also generate income with
fees collected from the cities it assists.

IDEAS’ home base, located in Tokyo, Japan, creates various new technologies to be used remotely and by
in-person emergency response teams. These new inventions are put into practice at testing sites around the
world. Each site conducts simulations of various disasters with live training. Real-time education allows
response teams to learn in a timely manner and solve problems as they occur. Tokyo’s central operations
crew receives data from each device used in the simulation. The data is then analysed, and suggestions are
transmitted to IDEAbots – humanoid AI instructors at each simulation. IDEAbots only work at simulations as
trainers. They provide feedback to disaster workers, supervise their efforts, and make new suggestions.

- - - - - - - - - Loyalton, California - Earthquake simulation site - - - - - - - - -

Numerous human firefighters wield hoses at a blazing three-story training tower. They are momentarily
distracted when remote-controlled drone swarms arrive to drop water and other fire-squelching liquids. “Pay
attention!” an IDEAbot commands. The firefighters immediately refocus their attention on their task, although
some water has already been wasted. Firefighter Ryan makes his first attempt at operating ColossusX, a
500kg joystick-controlled robot, as it blasts 2000 litres of water per minute on the fires. Ryan hasn’t yet
mastered the process, but he marvels at ColossusX’s power and reach. He wonders how many firefighters
ColossusX might eventually replace. “Change your stance for better manipulation!” advises an IDEAbot.
“Let’s see you try it,” Ryan mumbles as he changes position.

Emergency responders pull 20 autonomous quadcopter unmanned vehicles (UMVs) from the back of a truck.
With heavy suits and gloves, the crew struggles to turn on the UMVs for automatic release. “Time is of the
essence. You are behind schedule,” an IDEAbot says. Only 16 are finally activated. The pre-programmed
UMVs fly up and swarm together. Central operations connects to the swarm’s cameras to determine where
to send specialized rescue robots.

Citizens who live near the remote small town are paid to act as impacted individuals. The AI prototype CareBot
moves to a Loyaltonian acting as a trapped victim in the middle of some debris. “How are you?” asks CareBot.
“I think I broke my leg. It hurts like crazy!” replies the victim, sticking to her script. “You are not crazy. Stay
calm,” CareBot replies while analysing her vital signs. These are automatically transmitted to central
operations and medical technicians. IDEAbot makes note of the communication between CareBot and the
victim.
- - - - - - - - - Tokyo, Japan - Central operations - - - - - - - - -

Akari is one of many employees remotely controlling a variety of robots that are on the ground in California.
She wears a virtual-reality headset and holds motion-tracking controllers to drive a Snakebot through
wreckage to take photos. After practicing for an hour, she feels nauseous and needs a break.

Shouyou wears a headset that allows him to see things from RescueBot’s perspective. He uses a data glove
to guide a RescueBot over piles of rubble. The glove translates his gestures into actions that RescueBot’s
hand can perform. Shouyou and RescueBot successfully pick up heavy concrete, but unfortunately drop it
before leaving the rubble.

Former emergency medical technician Yumiko successfully guides the Robotic Safety Crawler as it transports
five victims. However, two victims complain about the ride being bumpy, jerky, and too slow. IDEAbot reports
to central operations “Transport not acceptable. Improvement required”.

IDEAS would like to expand its cobotic workforce. Before it makes any decisions, IDEAS asks for your help.
Use the 6-step process to analyse the state of the IDEAS’ cobotic team. Identify an Underlying Problem and
Action Plan for ideas to implement in its next phase of development.

© 2022 Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc. (Adapted) Do not post on any website until 2027