Multi-Robot Floor Processing Using Shared Area Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems with multiple automatically moving floor processing devices require an additional navigation robot to generate area maps and plan activities, leading to resource and time inefficiencies in environmental processing.
Innovation Solution
The system allows a first floor processing device to detect and share its area map with a second device, enabling simultaneous and synchronized floor processing activities without the need for the second device to generate its own map, allowing it to start processing immediately while the first device is still active, thus optimizing resource and time usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a navigation robot is used to generate area maps and plan activities for functional robots, then the functional robots can perform floor processing activities, but an additional robot is required which increases system complexity and reduces resource efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The floor processing robot is designed to perform both floor processing activities and navigation functions. The robot includes both a floor processing device (such as a cleaning device) and a navigation device that can generate area maps and plan activities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate navigation robot, reducing system complexity while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the navigation robot and functional robot into a single integrated robot. The navigation device and floor processing device are merged into one robot platform, allowing it to perform both navigation and floor processing tasks. This merging reduces the total number of robots required in the system.
2Productivity
If the second floor processing device generates its own area map and localizes itself, then it can independently navigate, but this increases the time required before processing activities can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The first robot performs preliminary actions by generating an area map and identifying processing areas before the second robot begins its activities. The first robot explores the environment, creates a map, and identifies suitable areas for floor processing. This preliminary work eliminates the need for the second robot to perform time-consuming map generation and localization tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The area map generated by the first robot serves as an intermediary that transfers navigation information to the second robot. Instead of the second robot independently generating its own map, it receives and uses the pre-generated map from the first robot, significantly reducing the time required for navigation preparation.
3Loss of time
If multiple floor processing devices operate simultaneously in the same environment, then processing time is reduced, but coordination and synchronization become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where robots share information about their activities and locations. The first robot provides feedback about processed areas, and the second robot uses this feedback to plan its activities. This feedback loop enables efficient coordination without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic task allocation and route planning that adapts to the real-time states of multiple robots. The second robot's activity plan is dynamically adjusted based on the first robot's progress and the identified processing areas. This dynamic approach allows multiple robots to operate simultaneously while maintaining efficient coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a system with a first automatically moving floor processing device and a second automatically moving floor processing device in which the first floor processing device detects environmental features in an environment of the first floor processing device. The first floor processing device or a shared computing device allocated to both the processing devices generates a first area map based on the detected environmental features, and the first floor processing device also detects the second floor processing device, and the position of the second floor processing device is thereupon stored within the generated first area map. The second floor processing device receives information about a current position of the second floor processing device within the first area map, and controls a second floor processing activity as soon as the first floor processing device has detected the second floor processing device.