Mobile Robot Camera Orientation for Horizontal-Plane Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robots struggle to simultaneously perform obstacle avoidance and positioning using visual information alone, as their cameras are typically oriented obliquely upward, limiting their ability to capture objects on the horizontal plane and requiring additional sensors for accurate navigation.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot design with a camera module having at least two optical axes parallel to the horizontal plane, enabling binocular parallax for obstacle avoidance and positioning without the need for additional distance measuring sensors, and allowing adaptation to changing environments by capturing feature objects on the horizontal plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is oriented obliquely upward, then the robot can capture objects at different heights, but it cannot accurately capture objects on the horizontal plane for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is divided into multiple independent camera units, each with its own optical axis oriented at different angles. This segmentation allows each camera to capture specific regions (horizontal plane or elevated objects) independently, resolving the contradiction between capturing objects at various heights and maintaining positioning accuracy on the horizontal plane.
2Measurement precision
If additional distance measuring sensors are added for accurate positioning, then positioning precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed to perform multiple functions: both obstacle avoidance and positioning are achieved using the same camera images. By orienting optical axes parallel to the horizontal plane, the system uses visual information for both navigation and positioning, eliminating the need for separate distance measuring sensors and reducing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If visual information alone is used for both obstacle avoidance and positioning, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to camera orientation limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The solution introduces a new dimensional approach by orienting camera optical axes parallel to the horizontal plane rather than obliquely upward. This dimensional change in camera orientation enables the system to capture horizontal plane features effectively, achieving accurate positioning using only visual information without requiring additional sensors.
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 simultaneous obstacle avoidance and positioning using camera images, reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional sensors and improving adaptability to dynamic environments by capturing objects at various heights and positions.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile robot design with a camera module having at least two optical axes parallel to the horizontal plane, enabling binocular parallax for obstacle avoidance and positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot is provided. The mobile robot includes: a driving mechanism configured to drive the mobile robot to move; a chassis on which the driving mechanism is mounted; and a camera mainboard, on which a camera module is provided. The camera module is configured to obtain an external environment image and has at least two optical axes. The camera mainboard is arranged on the chassis such that each of the at least two optical axes is parallel to a horizontal plane.