Building Robot Maps Using Graphic Objects for Zone-Aware Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently generating maps for robot operation within buildings, particularly in reflecting the characteristics and situations of different zones, which hinders the safe and efficient movement of robots providing services.
Innovation Solution
A map generation method and system that allows users to conveniently prepare floor-specific maps by allocating graphic objects on an editing interface, which are then updated on a cloud server to guide robot movement, considering interactions with humans and facility infrastructure, without the need for expensive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional map generation methods are used for robot operation, then robots can navigate buildings, but the maps do not accurately reflect building characteristics and zone situations, reducing navigation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the building environment through map data structures that mirror physical spaces. The map generation system produces digital representations (node maps, graphic object maps) that copy essential building characteristics, zone layouts, and facility locations without requiring physical sensors or complex measurement devices in the robot itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces map data structures as an intermediary between the physical building environment and the robot's navigation system. These maps serve as mediators that translate complex building characteristics into simplified navigational information, allowing robots to navigate accurately without directly processing complex environmental data.
2Measurement precision
If robots are equipped with expensive sensors to accurately perceive building environments, then navigation precision improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of equipping robots with expensive physical sensors to directly measure and perceive building environments, the patent creates accurate digital copies of these environments through map generation systems. The map data structures replicate essential spatial information, allowing robots to navigate with high precision using simpler, less expensive sensing capabilities.
3Productivity
If detailed zone characteristics and facility information are incorporated into maps, then robot service provision improves, but map data complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments building environments into distinct zones with specific characteristics and facilities. Each zone is represented as a separate entity in the map data structures with its own attributes (e.g., office zone, corridor zone, facility zone). This segmentation allows detailed information to be organized in manageable units that improve service provision without overwhelming the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific characteristics and facilities to different zones within the building map. Each zone has tailored attributes relevant to its function (e.g., meeting rooms in office zones, elevators in vertical circulation zones). This allows the map to provide detailed, location-specific information that enhances robot service provision while keeping each zone's data structure manageable and focused.
Data Source
AI summary
A map generation method and system for robot operation. The map generation method including receiving a map editing request for a specific floor among a plurality of floors of a building, providing an editing interface on a display unit of an electronic device in response to the map editing request, the editing interface including at least a part of a specific map corresponding to the specific floor, allocating at least one graphic object on the specific map based on editing information received from the electronic device, and updating the specific map on a cloud server based on completion of the allocating such that robots travel through the specific floor according to an attribute of the at least one graphic object.