Autonomous Golf Caddy Navigation With Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic golf caddies lack the ability to autonomously follow a golfer while avoiding collisions with objects and unauthorized locations on a golf course, as they rely on primitive navigation and collision avoidance systems.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robotic golf caddy equipped with a receiver arrangement, processor unit, sensors, and drive mechanism that uses radio, ultrasonic, or infrared signals to track a golfer and navigate, incorporating LIDAR, ultrasonic, and ultra-wide band sensors for collision avoidance and navigation, allowing it to maintain a predetermined distance and avoid obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a human caddy carries golf clubs and equipment, then the golfer can have all necessary equipment available, but the golfer's mobility and speed are limited by the caddy's physical capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human caddy's mechanical carrying system with an automated robotic system. The robotic caddy uses sensors, processors, and automated mechanisms to transport clubs and equipment, eliminating the need for human physical effort and enabling faster, more consistent movement throughout the golf course.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic caddy is designed to autonomously perform tasks without human intervention. It automatically follows the golfer, identifies required clubs using image recognition, retrieves them from storage, and delivers them to the golfer, creating a self-service system that operates independently.
2Productivity
If a human caddy manually retrieves and delivers clubs, then the golfer receives assistance, but the process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic caddy performs preliminary actions by pre-organizing clubs in the storage compartment according to their likely usage sequence and maintaining readiness for immediate retrieval. This preliminary preparation enables rapid response when the golfer needs a club, eliminating search and manual organization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action through the automated conveyor mechanism and robotic arm, which can continuously retrieve and deliver clubs without interruption. The golfer's mobile device continuously communicates club needs to the system, ensuring uninterrupted service throughout the round.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional caddies are used, then golfers have equipment support, but the experience lacks personalization and real-time assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic caddy incorporates feedback loops where sensors detect the golfer's club usage, the image recognition system identifies club types, and the mobile device communicates preferences and requirements. This continuous feedback enables the system to adapt and personalize service to each golfer's specific needs and playing style.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by integrating multiple functions into a single platform: club storage, image recognition, automated retrieval, navigation, communication, and personalized service. This multi-functional design allows the same system to serve different golfers with varying needs while maintaining a unified technological architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The robotic golf caddy effectively follows a golfer on the golf course, maintaining a safe distance and avoiding collisions with objects, ensuring safe navigation and efficient play by utilizing advanced sensor systems for real-time obstacle detection and route adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The robotic golf caddy is configured to receive one or more signals from the remote transmitter that is located on a golfer
Implementation Method 2
responsive to a signal (e.g., radio signal, ultrasonic signal, infrared signal, etc.)
Implementation Method 3
responsive to a signal (e.g., radio signal, ultrasonic signal, infrared signal, etc.)
Implementation Method 4
incorporating LIDAR, ultrasonic, and ultra-wide band sensors for collision avoidance and navigation
Implementation Method 5
The plurality of sensors on the robotic golf caddy can provide additional information to the processor unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomouse robotic golf caddy which is capable of following a portable receiver at a pre-determined distance, and which is capable of sensing a potential impendingcollision with an object in its path and stop prior to said potential impending collision.