AR Robot Path Visualization for Human Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human-robot interaction systems in industrial environments, particularly with mobile robots, are inadequate in preventing collisions between robots and human operators, and existing solutions are not scalable or adaptable, leading to safety concerns and productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using augmented reality (AR) interfaces to visualize the planned movement paths of robotic devices relative to user positions, incorporating quantities such as identity, activity, mass, velocity, and proximity, to enhance safety and productivity by providing real-time, accurate visual and audio cues for collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collision detection or avoidance approaches are used, then collision safety is improved, but complete collision prevention is not achieved and work interruptions still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays the planned movement path of the robotic device before the device actually moves, allowing human operators to anticipate and avoid potential collision zones in advance. This preliminary information provision enables proactive safety measures rather than reactive collision response.
2Reliability
If physical modifications to the environment or robots are implemented (e.g., highlighting tape, additional displays), then collision awareness is improved, but scalability and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical modifications (highlighting tape on floors, additional displays on robots) with a virtual reality-based augmented reality display system. This substitution provides the same collision awareness function while being fully scalable and adaptable to different environments and requirements through software configuration rather than physical installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If augmented reality techniques are used to display movement paths, then adaptability and scalability are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AR display system is designed to serve multiple functions: displaying planned movement paths, showing real-time robot position, providing collision warnings, and offering maintenance information. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single unified platform, managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If operators need to investigate robot movement information for inspection or maintenance, then operational control is improved, but time loss increases due to lack of real-time information
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to operators about the robotic device's planned path, current position, and status information through the AR display. This immediate feedback eliminates the need for operators to manually investigate movement information, allowing them to monitor and respond to robot activities without time-consuming inspections.
Data Source
AI summary
An information system configured to indicate a condition of one or more robotic devices to a user, the information system having: a communication interface for obtaining at least one planned movement path of the robotic devices and a position of the user; an augmented-reality, AR, interface associated with the user; and processing circuitry configured to display, by means of the AR interface, a visualization of the at least one planned movement path relative to the user position, wherein the visualization is responsive to at least one quantity, which is one or more of: a robotic device's identity, a robotic device's mass or physical dimensions, a robotic device's velocity, a robotic device's proximity to the user position.