Peer-to-Peer Robot Charging for Continuous Service Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot charging systems cause service interruptions and inefficiencies due to battery discharge, leading to unnecessary management personnel consumption as robots need to stop providing services to return to charging stations, especially in environments with multiple robots operating over large spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where robots communicate with each other to determine the closest and most suitable charging robot based on battery levels and distances, allowing for on-the-fly charging without the need for a central control server, enabling seamless service continuation and optimized resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robot returns to the charging station to recharge when the battery is discharged, then the battery can be recharged, but the service provision is interrupted and management personnel are unnecessarily consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having robots monitor each other's battery levels in advance. When a robot's battery level drops below a threshold, other robots are notified and can proactively move to provide charging before complete discharge occurs, preventing service interruption rather than reacting after the problem arises.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system achieves self-service through peer-to-peer charging where robots with sufficient battery levels automatically charge robots with low battery levels. This eliminates the need for external charging stations and manual intervention by management personnel, as the system autonomously manages its own energy resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robots operate in an expanded service space, then service coverage is improved, but the complexity of battery management increases and requires more management personnel
Solution Approach 1:
Each robot in the system is designed with dual functionality: it can both receive charging (act as a charging target) and provide charging (act as a charging source). This multi-functionality allows any robot to serve multiple roles depending on its battery status, simplifying the overall management system as no specialized charging robots or centralized management infrastructure is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where robots monitor and communicate their battery levels to the central controller and other robots. This real-time feedback enables automatic decision-making about which robots need charging and which can provide charging, reducing management complexity through automated information flow rather than manual tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and a system for charging a robot. A method for charging a robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes monitoring a battery level of a first robot which is providing a service, determining a charging robot for charging the first robot, from a plurality of second robots, when a battery level of the first robot falls below a first threshold level, and transmitting an instruction to move to a target position to the determined charging robot, in which determining the charging robot comprises determining the charging robot based at least partly on distances between the first robot and the second robots and battery levels of the second robots. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by executing an artificial intelligence algorithm and/or a machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for Internet of Things.