Body-Model Massage Interface for Robotic Arm Safety Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated massage systems lack effective user interfaces that allow for precise control and customization of massage therapy, particularly with robotic arms, leading to potential harm or discomfort due to lack of real-time spatial awareness and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system that combines a body model and control objects to enable users to interactively control robotic massage arms, providing real-time spatial information and allowing customization of massage parameters, such as pressure, trajectory, and avoidance areas, using sensors and dynamic body models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated massage systems use robotic arms to perform massage therapy, then productivity and automation are improved, but user safety and comfort deteriorate due to lack of real-time spatial awareness and control
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously tracks the robotic arm's position and the user's body position using sensors, and displays this information in real-time on a user interface. This feedback loop allows the system to detect when the robotic arm approaches restricted areas and automatically adjust or pause the massage, ensuring user safety while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
A display device serves as an intermediary between the automated robotic arm and the user. It presents spatial information about the robotic arm's position and allows the user to define restricted areas visually. This intermediary interface enables the user to control and monitor the automated system, bridging the gap between automation and user safety.
2Ease of operation
If the system provides detailed real-time spatial information and control options, then user control and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual representation (copy) of the user's body and the robotic arm's position on the display. Instead of requiring the user to understand complex mechanical coordinates, the interface presents an intuitive visual model where the user can see the robotic arm's location relative to their body and easily define restricted areas by interacting with the visual representation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system continuously monitors and adapts to user movements, then adaptability and user comfort are improved, but use of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic updates of the body model and robotic arm position tracking at intervals sufficient to detect user movements and maintain safety, rather than continuous high-frequency monitoring. This periodic operation maintains adaptability while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time tracking at maximum resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
A body model representing a massage recipient of an automated massage that is provided via a robotic arm is received. A user input is received via a control object in a user interface. The user input is output where the user input is used to update the automated massage that is provided via the robotic arm. The body model, the control object associated with controlling the automated massage that is provided via the robotic arm, and massage information associated with the automated massage that is provided via the robotic arm are displayed via the user interface.