Cleaning robot and operation thereof
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous robots face challenges in efficiently mapping and navigating complex environments due to limitations in sensor data integration and path planning, leading to incomplete or inaccurate spatial representations and inefficient task execution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a robotic system equipped with a processor that captures spatial and movement data, generates or updates a map by aligning and quantizing data from different fields of view, determines movement distances and directions, and assigns traversability values to cells, allowing for real-time map updates and transmission to computing devices for enhanced navigation and task planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous robots use traditional sensor data integration methods, then the system complexity is low, but the mapping accuracy and navigation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mapping process into multiple fields of view, where each field of view is processed and aligned separately. This segmentation allows for more precise local mapping while managing system complexity through modular processing of spatial data from different directions and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces quantized spatial representations and multi-dimensional map structures to enhance mapping accuracy. By organizing sensor data into structured spatial frameworks with multiple dimensions (position, orientation, depth), the system achieves higher precision without linearly increasing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If robots capture and process spatial data from multiple fields of view, then the map accuracy improves, but the data processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary alignment and quantization transformations to spatial data from different fields of view before full integration. By pre-processing and organizing data into standardized spatial representations in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during final map generation and updating, thus decreasing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates quantized copies and simplified representations of spatial data from multiple fields of view. These copied and simplified data structures enable faster processing and comparison while preserving the essential spatial relationships needed for accurate mapping, reducing computational time without sacrificing accuracy.
3Productivity
If robots update maps in real-time during navigation, then the navigation efficiency improves, but the computational resources and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic map updates at strategically chosen moments during navigation rather than continuous updating. By updating maps at regular intervals or at key navigation decision points, the system maintains navigation efficiency while reducing the frequency of computationally intensive processing operations, thereby lowering energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial map updates, focusing computational resources on updating only the portions of the map that are relevant to current navigation needs or have changed. This selective updating approach maintains navigation efficiency by ensuring up-to-date information where needed while avoiding unnecessary processing of unchanged areas, reducing overall computational resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include a robot, including: a chassis; a set of wheels coupled to the chassis; at least one encoder coupled to a wheel with a resolution of at least one count for every ninety degree rotation of the wheel; a trailing arm suspension coupled to each drive wheel for overcoming surface transitions and obstacles, wherein a first suspension arm is positioned on a right side of a right drive wheel and a second suspension arm is positioned on a left side of a left drive wheel; a roller brush; a collection bin; a fan with multiple blades for creating a negative pressure resulting in suction of dust and debris; a network card for wireless communication with at least one of: a computing device, a charging station, and another robot; a plurality of sensors; a processor; and a media storing instructions that when executed by the processor effectuates robotic operations.