Light-Beam Robot Navigation for Low-Visibility Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems face challenges in navigating environments with limited visibility, such as darkness, where human users struggle to guide mobile robotic devices safely and accurately to specific locations or paths using conventional navigation methods.
Innovation Solution
A light-based navigation system that utilizes a beam of light to identify movement directions and destination locations, enabling robotic devices to follow or proceed to these points, with the system capable of detecting light sources, interpreting light colors for specific actions, and employing 3D mapping and voice commands to guide the robotic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional navigation methods are used in low-light conditions, then the robotic system can operate with standard sensors, but the navigation accuracy and safety deteriorate due to limited visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light beams as an intermediary medium to convey navigation information from the environment to the robotic system's sensors. The light beams carry encoded directional and positional data that the robotic system can detect and interpret, enabling reliable navigation in low-visibility conditions without requiring the system to directly perceive the environment with standard sensors alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or electronic navigation systems with an optical-based navigation approach. Instead of relying on standard sensors to interpret physical environment cues, the system uses light detection and interpretation of light color properties to determine navigation commands, substituting the traditional sensing mechanism with an optical information carrier
2Measurement precision
If light-based navigation is implemented, then navigation precision in low-light conditions improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the robotic system's sensor suite multi-functional by enabling standard sensors (cameras, microphones) to serve dual purposes: their traditional environmental sensing roles plus light-based navigation detection. The existing sensor hardware is leveraged for both general perception and specific light color analysis, reducing the need for entirely separate dedicated navigation hardware and thereby limiting the increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts navigation information by analyzing changes in light color parameters rather than relying on complex spatial or temporal patterns. By focusing on color as a key parameter of the light beams, the system simplifies the processing requirements compared to full image analysis or multi-sensor fusion, thus improving navigation accuracy while controlling system complexity
3Device complexity
If the robotic system uses standard sensors for navigation, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to navigate in darkness or dangerous environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the reliance on standard sensors operating in physical low-light conditions with an active optical information carrier system. Light beams provide explicit navigation cues that are detectable by standard sensors regardless of ambient illumination levels, enabling the system to operate in darkness or dangerous environments without requiring complex specialized sensors or hardware modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light beams as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the environment and the robotic system's sensors. These light beams carry encoded navigation information that makes the environment interpretable to the system even in conditions where standard sensors would otherwise fail, thereby enhancing environmental adaptability while keeping the sensor configuration relatively simple
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
Enables precise and safe navigation of robotic devices in low-light conditions by using light beams to direct paths and activities, enhancing their ability to perform tasks in dangerous or inaccessible environments.
Implementation Method 1
receive a light beam with a sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for light-based navigation of robotic device. The embodiment may include detecting a light beam. The embodiment may include identifying a source location and an endpoint location of the light beam. The endpoint location comprises a location where the light beam intersects a surface. The embodiment may include receiving a voice command to proceed to the endpoint location. The embodiment may include instructing a mobile robotic device to proceed directly to the endpoint location. In response to the mobile robotic device reaching the endpoint location, the embodiment may include instructing the mobile robotic device to perform an activity therein.