Cleaning Robot Object Search With User-Guided Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for cleaning robots, such as random bounce methods and rudimentary navigation, are inefficient and often miss large areas of the floor, and require human intervention for unknown objects or when stuck, which is inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow users to control cleaning robots via an electronic device, receiving environmental data, displaying the robot's environment, and allowing users to input desired locations for objects or surfaces to be cleaned, enabling the robot to move objects or perform cleaning actions autonomously with user guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If random bounce navigation method is used, then the robot can navigate autonomously without human assistance, but large areas of the floor are missed and cleaning efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by transmitting environmental data from the robot to a user device, allowing the user to observe the robot's location and cleaning progress in real-time, and provide corrective input when the robot misses areas or encounters problems
Solution Approach 2:
A user device acts as an intermediary between the robot and the user, receiving environmental data from the robot and transmitting control commands back to the robot, enabling efficient remote monitoring and control
2Productivity
If SLAM techniques are used, then the robot can achieve more systematic navigation patterns, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user device serves as an intermediary that handles complex navigation tasks remotely, allowing the robot to use simpler onboard sensors while achieving systematic navigation through user-guided control based on transmitted environmental data
3Extent of automation
If the robot operates autonomously without user input, then it can perform cleaning tasks independently, but it cannot identify unknown objects or handle unexpected situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits environmental data including object information to the user device, enabling the user to identify unknown objects and provide instructions to the robot, combining autonomous operation with human expertise for handling unexpected situations
Solution Approach 2:
The user device acts as an intermediary that receives environmental data from the robot, processes object identification requests, and transmits appropriate control commands, bridging the gap between autonomous operation and human decision-making
4Adaptability or versatility
If human intervention is required for problems, then the robot can handle unexpected situations, but the user must manually intervene at the robot which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The user device serves as a remote intermediary, allowing users to monitor the robot's environment through transmitted data and provide control commands without needing to physically approach or manually intervene at the robot's location
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by transmitting environmental data to the user device, enabling users to remotely assess situations and provide appropriate instructions without direct physical intervention
Data Source
AI summary
Measures for use in operating a robot having one or more sensors. A representation of an environment of the robot is generated by operating the one or more sensors to sense a set of parameters representative of the environment of the robot. A list of objects in the environment and associated identifiers for each object in the list is generated. Control data is received from the electronic user device. The control data includes an identifier for an object in the generated list that a user of the electronic user device wishes to locate within the environment. In response to receipt of the control data, the robot and the one or more sensors are operated to search the environment to determine a location of the identified object in the environment.