Cloud-Coordinated Robotic Work Tools for Faster Setup and Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic work tool systems, such as robotic lawnmowers, face challenges in setup, training, and operation due to their complexity and the need for advanced functions like mapping and scheduling, which require extensive time and computer resources.

Innovation Solution

A robotic work tool system that utilizes a cloud service to simplify setup and training by collating and analyzing sensor data from multiple robotic tools, enabling improved navigation, path finding, and operation, while also providing theft protection and efficient coordination of multiple robotic tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If advanced functions like mapping, scheduling, and theft control are added to robotic work tools, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the setup complexity and training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cloud-based service acts as an intermediary between multiple robotic work tools and users, handling complex setup procedures, training data management, and coordination logic remotely. This allows advanced functionality to be delivered without proportionally increasing local device complexity or user burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud service provides a universal platform that serves multiple robotic work tools with diverse functions (mapping, scheduling, theft control) through a common infrastructure, allowing each tool to benefit from shared resources and standardized procedures rather than requiring separate complex setups for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple robotic work tools are coordinated in a system, then the productivity and coverage are improved, but the system complexity and communication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple robotic work tools are merged into a coordinated system managed by a central cloud service, which consolidates control logic, communication protocols, and data management. This allows the system to achieve higher productivity through coordination while the cloud service absorbs the complexity of managing multiple devices and their interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If extensive setup and training procedures are implemented, then the operational capability and reliability are improved, but the time consumption and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud service performs setup procedures and training data processing in advance, before the robotic work tools need to operate. Training data is collected, processed, and stored in the cloud beforehand, so that when tools are deployed, they can quickly access pre-prepared information rather than requiring extensive on-site setup and training time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4017248B1Improved operation for a robotic work tool
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP4017248B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4017248B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4017248B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A robotic work tool system comprising at least one robotic work tool arranged to operate in a work area, the robotic work tool comprising at least one sensor and a communication interface, the robotic work tool being configured to establish a connection to a cloud service through said communication interface; receive data gathered by the at least one sensor and transmit the gathered data to the cloud service causing the cloud service to analyze the gathered data; receive operating data from the cloud service; and to operate at least one robotic work tool based on the operating data received from the cloud service.