Mobile Robot Interface for Distance-Adaptive Cobot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in integrating robotic automation due to high product variability and low production volumes, making it difficult to amortize the costs of robotic infrastructure and programming. Additionally, existing teach pendants for industrial robots require close proximity to the robot, posing safety concerns and complicating robot control and management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling a robot graphic user interface (RGUI) on a mobile device, allowing for dynamic adaptation and reuse of robotic capabilities and human-machine collaborative behaviors. The RGUI changes based on the distance, position, and communication protocol between the mobile device and the robot, enabling greater mobility and safety in robot programming and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a teach pendant connected by tether to the robot is used for controlling the robot, then the robot can be controlled and programmed, but the programmer needs to be in close proximity to the robot which creates safety concerns and limits mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control interface from the physical proximity constraint by implementing wireless communication between the mobile device and robot. The teach pendant functionality is removed from its traditional tethered form and replaced with a wireless interface that allows programmers to control robots from a safe distance while maintaining full control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the programmer and the robot, mediating the control interaction through wireless communication. This intermediary enables the programmer to issue commands and receive feedback without being in close proximity to the robot, thus resolving the safety concern while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If different teach pendants are used for each robot, then each robot can be controlled individually, but robot control and management becomes a difficult and time consuming process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mobile device interface that can control multiple different robots through wireless communication. Instead of requiring separate teach pendants for each robot, a single mobile device can serve multiple robots, reducing the time and complexity of robot control and management while maintaining individual robot control capabilities.
3Extent of automation
If commercial off-the-shelf robotic systems are used in SMEs, then automation capability is provided, but it is impossible to leverage employees' existing task knowledge and experience due to high customization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the mobile device interface can adapt to different robots and contexts through wireless communication. The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the specific robot being controlled and the task at hand, enabling customization to leverage employees' existing knowledge while maintaining automation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method, device, and computer-readable medium for controlling a robot graphic user interface (“RGUI”) on a mobile device. The method can include determining a distance, a position, or both of the mobile device with respect to a first robot; and causing, by a processor, a first RGUI to be displayed on a display of the mobile device based on the determining.