Light-Beam Robot Navigation for Low-Visibility Direction Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments where human guidance is difficult due to darkness or dangerous conditions, existing robotic systems struggle to navigate safely and accurately to specific locations or perform tasks without clear visual cues.
Innovation Solution
A light-based navigation system that utilizes a beam of light to identify movement directions and destination locations, allowing robotic devices to follow or proceed to these points, with activities determined by light color and intensity, and optionally using voice commands for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human guidance is used to direct robotic devices in challenging environments (disaster areas, darkness), then the robotic devices can perform tasks requiring human judgment, but visibility issues and geographical limitations make it difficult to direct the robotic devices accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical guidance methods with an optical system. A light source projects a visible light beam to indicate the destination direction, substituting the mechanical/manual pointing method with an optical field-based indication system that overcomes visibility limitations in dark or challenging environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of guidance from physical/manual indication to optical field indication. By projecting a light beam with specific intensity and direction parameters, the system creates a visible guidance path that can be detected by the robotic device's sensor, transforming the guidance mechanism into a detectable physical field.
2Extent of automation
If traditional sensors and control systems are used in robotic devices, then the devices can autonomously perform tasks, but navigating in environments with visibility issues remains challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The light beam serves as an intermediary between the human operator and the robotic device. Instead of direct visual observation or complex sensor fusion in challenging environments, the light beam acts as a reliable mediator that clearly indicates the destination direction, providing a consistent reference for the robotic device's navigation system.
3Illumination intensity
If a light beam is projected to indicate destination direction, then visibility and direction indication are improved, but the system complexity increases due to light source detection and interpretation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device captures an image of the light beam using its camera sensor and processes this visual copy to determine the beam's direction and the destination location. Instead of requiring complex specialized sensors, the system uses the existing camera to create a digital representation of the light field, which is then analyzed through image processing algorithms.
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 robotic devices to navigate and perform tasks autonomously in challenging environments by using light-based navigation, enhancing safety and accuracy in tasks such as disaster response and rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a light beam
Data Source
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.