Python for event detection of a warehouse robot

 The Python programming language is recognized as a high level language which allows to program complex software in a low amount of code. The reason is, that python has many builtin libraries and has an easy to understand syntax for parse. Its much easier to create a prototype in Python than in other programming languages like C or Assembly.

Unfurtunately, the Python language remains a classical imperative language which means, that the programmer has to define functions, classes and variables. This formal syntax ensures, that a computer can execute the statements. To increase the abstraction level further another syntax is needed which is presented next. The goal is to program an event recognition system for a warehouse robot. Instead of implementing a GUI prototype the goal is to write only a list of [tags] which can be detected by the robot. The tags are described in a python dictionary:

warehouse_robot_taxonomy = {
    # --- Navigation & Localization ---
    "NAV_WAYPOINT_REACHED": "Robot base has arrived at the specific coordinate destination.",
    "NAV_PATH_OBSTRUCTED": "LIDAR/Depth sensors detect an unexpected object in the path.",
    "NAV_RELOCALIZATION_REQ": "Robot uncertainty in pose exceeds threshold; seeking landmarks.",
    "NAV_FLOOR_HAZARD": "Detection of liquid spills, debris, or uneven surfaces.",

    # --- Manipulation & Payload ---
    "MAN_SHELF_ALIGNED": "End-effector is centered and parallel to the targeted rack slot.",
    "MAN_GRIP_SUCCESS": "Tactile/Force sensors confirm object acquisition.",
    "MAN_GRIP_SLIP": "Loss of contact or shifting weight detected during transport.",
    "MAN_LOAD_SHIFT": "Internal IMU detects payload instability while the robot is moving.",

    # --- Perception & Identification ---
    "PRC_SKU_VALIDATED": "Barcode, QR code, or RFID successfully read and matched to manifest.",
    "PRC_MISPLACED_ITEM": "Vision system identifies an object where the database expects a void.",
    "PRC_SHELF_FULL": "The destination bin has no available volume for placement.",

    # --- Safety & Human-Robot Interaction ---
    "SAF_ESTOP_ACTIVE": "Physical or software-based emergency stop has been engaged.",
    "SAF_HUMAN_NEAR": "Safety scanners detect a human worker within the 'Slowdown' zone.",
    "SAF_COLLISION_IMMINENT": "Time-to-collision calculation triggers immediate braking.",

    # --- System & Maintenance ---
    "SYS_BATTERY_LOW": "Charge level requires return to docking station.",
    "SYS_COMMS_LOST": "Loss of heartbeat or high latency with the Warehouse Management System (WMS)."
}

Such a list of tags has not much in common with a software project, but its similar to a database. The table stores two columns: name, description. The dictionry stores the items in the table.

The idea behind the project is, to annotate the sensory perception with one of the tags. For example, if the battery is low the tag [SYS_BATTERY_LOW] gets activated or if the robot has scanned an object the tag [PRC_SKU_VALIDATED] gets activated. The entire game state is projected towards a tag vector with 16 entries, each of the tags can be true or false so the game state is encoded in 16 bits, which is a very compact representation. The python dictionary ensures, that the human operator has a better understanding of each of the tags. There is a name plus a descripotion given.