Mobile Robot GUI for Wireless Collaborative Robot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises face challenges in integrating robotic automation due to high production variability and the need for customization, as commercial off-the-shelf robotic systems are not adaptable to human skill and judgment, and existing teach pendants limit mobility and safety in robot control.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a robot graphical user interface (RGUI) that uses wireless protocols to determine distance and position, allowing for dynamic adaptation of robot control modes based on user interaction, enabling greater mobility and safety in robot programming and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a teach pendant is used for robot control, then the robot can be programmed and controlled, but the programmer must be in close proximity to the robot which creates safety concerns and limits mobility
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile computing device serves as an intermediary between the operator and the robot. The device receives wireless communications from the robot controller and displays robot status, alerts, and enables control functions remotely, eliminating the need for the operator to be physically close to the robot while maintaining full control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired connection of traditional teach pendants with wireless communication protocols. The mobile device communicates with the robot controller through wireless signals, substituting the physical tether connection and enabling remote operation without mechanical constraints
2Productivity
If multiple robots are deployed in an facility, then production capacity increases, but managing multiple teach pendants becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device provides a universal interface that can control multiple different robots through wireless communication. A single device can manage multiple robots in the facility, eliminating the need for separate teach pendants for each robot and simplifying control management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple robots into a single mobile device interface. The device consolidates control capabilities for multiple robots, allowing operators to manage several robots from one location rather than switching between multiple separate teach pendants
3Ease of manufacture
If commercial off-the-shelf robotic systems are used, then initial setup is simplified, but the systems cannot adapt to human skill and judgment required for customized manufacturing tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary layer between the operator's expertise and the robotic system. It captures and processes manual guidance inputs from the operator and translates them into robot control commands, enabling the transfer of human skill and judgment to the automated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capture and processing of operator expertise through the mobile device interface before executing robot operations. The device stores and processes the operator's manual guidance and decision-making patterns, preparing them for automated execution while preserving human expertise
Data Source
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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.