Mobile Sensor Swarms for Adaptive Industrial Environmental Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental modeling systems in industrial environments require high installation effort and are not dynamically adaptable, as they rely on fixed infrastructure sensor systems which are costly and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a swarm of mobile sensors, specifically autonomous mobile reconnaissance units, to dynamically update the environmental model by moving sensors to changing locations within the environment, allowing for real-time updates and flexible adaptation to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed infrastructure sensor systems are used for environmental modeling, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static sensor system into a dynamic one by deploying mobile autonomous robots equipped with sensors. These robots move throughout the environment to collect data, replacing the fixed infrastructure approach. This allows the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and access areas that fixed sensors cannot reach, while reducing the overall complexity of installation and system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robotic sensors autonomously navigate and collect environmental data without requiring manual deployment or reconfiguration. The system self-organizes to cover the environment, with robots independently determining their movement and sensing strategies, thereby reducing the complexity of system management and installation effort.
2Area of stationary object
If fixed infrastructure sensor systems are deployed, then environmental coverage is improved, but adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs mobile robots that can dynamically reposition themselves to adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as new obstacles, changing lighting conditions, or areas requiring updated mapping. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain comprehensive coverage while adapting flexibly to new situations, unlike fixed sensors that require physical reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robotic system can change its operational parameters such as movement speed, sensing frequency, and patrol routes in response to environmental conditions. This allows the system to optimize its coverage strategy dynamically, improving adaptability while maintaining comprehensive environmental monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile sensors are used instead of fixed infrastructure, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mobile robotic sensors into a cooperative swarm that collectively achieves comprehensive and accurate environmental modeling. By merging the capabilities of multiple units with different sensor types and perspectives, the system maintains high measurement precision while benefiting from the adaptability of mobile platforms. The combined data from multiple robots compensates for individual sensor limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where mobile robots continuously update their environmental models based on new sensor data and compare it with existing models. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain measurement precision by validating and refining the environmental representation over time, even as individual robots move and change their observation points.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating an environmental model of an environment (24) in an industrial plant or logistics plant is provided, wherein a plurality of sensors (18) distributed over the environment (24) detect a respective local partial zone of the environment (24) and the environmental model is assembled therefrom, In this respect, a plurality of autonomous mobile reconnaissance units (12), in particular autonomous mobile robots; move in the environment (24) and at least some of the sensors (18) are part of a mobile reconnaissance unit (12) and thus the environment (24) at changing locations.