Mobile Robot Updating Unconnected IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions lack a scalable and automated method for updating unconnected Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as those without permanent connectivity, which are critical for security and performance enhancements, as they often remain un-updated due to assumptions of low risk and replaceability.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robotic system that uses near-field communication (NFC) and other techniques to identify, locate, and update target devices within defined areas, including those without network capabilities, by generating maps and employing various detection systems to ensure efficient communication and recharging of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If unconnected IoT devices are assumed to be primitive and fully testable at factory, then device complexity and updating infrastructure are reduced, but device security and functionality deteriorate over time due to unpatched vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system autonomously discovers devices, determines update requirements, fetches appropriate firmware, and applies updates without human intervention. The system services itself by navigating environments, detecting devices through multiple modalities, and autonomously managing the complete update lifecycle including error handling and retry logic
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between update servers and unconnected devices. It bridges the communication gap by fetching updates from remote servers and delivering them to devices that lack direct network connectivity, using NFC or other short-range communication protocols
2Use of energy by moving object
If devices are designed without permanent connectivity to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but ability to receive updates and security enhancements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system serves as a mobile intermediary that brings update capabilities to energy-constrained devices. Instead of requiring devices to maintain permanent network connectivity, the robot physically visits devices, establishes temporary communication links, and transfers updates, thereby preserving device energy budgets while enabling update delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary discovery and assessment of device update needs before actual update delivery. The robot maps environments, identifies target devices, checks their update status, and plans delivery routes in advance, allowing devices to remain in low-power states until the robot arrives with necessary updates
3Measurement precision
If manual updating of each device is performed, then update accuracy is improved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system autonomously performs device discovery, firmware compatibility checking, update selection, and application without human intervention. It self-manages the entire update process including navigating to devices, establishing communication, verifying update requirements, applying updates, and handling errors, thereby maintaining accuracy while eliminating manual labor
Solution Approach 2:
The updating process is segmented into distinct autonomous modules: environment mapping, device discovery, update assessment, firmware delivery, and verification. Each module operates independently but coordinates with others, allowing parallel processing across multiple devices while maintaining precise control over each update operation
4Ease of operation
If NFC updating is used without physical disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but scalability to multiple devices deteriorates due to manual device location and update management
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously navigates to devices using environmental mapping and sensor-based localization, automatically discovers devices through NFC or other detection methods, determines update requirements, and initiates updates without human assistance. This self-service capability transforms NFC from a manual two-device process to an autonomous multi-device production line
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: environment mapping, device discovery, communication protocol handling, firmware management, and physical navigation. This universal platform can update any NFC-enabled device across diverse environments, scaling from single-device to multi-device scenarios without requiring specialized tools or procedures
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 efficient and automated firmware and software updates for unconnected IoT devices, improving security and performance while extending the operational life of devices, reducing waste and inefficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Many modern system-on-chip (SoC) designs contain a CPU with a flash storage updateable via near-field communications (NFC)
Implementation Method 2
A mobile robotic system equipped with near-field communication capabilities and mapping circuitry that moves within defined areas to detect and update target devices using NFC, RF, IR, or optical detection
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment the present disclosure provides a robotic updating apparatus that includes mapping circuitry to provide movement instructions, the mapping circuitry including map data; wherein the map data includes a defined area for the robotic updating apparatus; movement circuitry to receive the movement instructions and to control movement of the robotic apparatus within the defined area; wherein movement is based on, at least in part, the movement instructions; device discovery circuitry to discover at least one target device within the defined area; and update circuitry to provide update for at least one target device; wherein the device discovery circuitry also to communicate the update to the at least one target device.