Real-Virtual Robot Control for Low-Cost Interactive Scenarios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots for entertainment purposes are either too expensive with limited functionality or too basic, restricting user interaction and experience, as they either lack advanced features or are cost-effective but offer minimal engagement due to limited capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A robot platform with a control system that utilizes degrees of freedom implemented by actuators, allowing for complex movements and interactions, combined with virtual robots to enhance user experience through a system that integrates real and virtual robots for interactive entertainment, using a general-purpose computer to generate control signals and simulate actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If advanced robot functionality is implemented, then user interaction and entertainment experience are improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of robots that can be instantiated multiple times at low cost. These virtual robots replicate the appearance and behavior of expensive physical robots, allowing unlimited deployment without proportional cost increases. The virtual instances are generated through software rather than hardware manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges virtual and physical robot instances into a unified control framework. A single control system can manage both expensive physical robots and inexpensive virtual robots simultaneously, allowing the physical robots to perform high-value tasks while virtual robots handle routine or training functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical robots are deployed to enhance user experience, then interaction scenarios are improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying multiple expensive physical robots, the system creates multiple virtual robot instances that can be deployed at minimal cost. Each virtual instance can participate in interactions independently, providing the same functional benefits as physical robots without the proportional cost increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual robot instances can serve multiple functions simultaneously - they can act as training partners, entertainment companions, and test subjects for different interaction scenarios. A single virtual instance can be reconfigured for different roles, replacing the need for multiple specialized physical robots.
3Ease of manufacture
If basic robot functionality is used to reduce cost, then device affordability is improved, but user interaction quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of advanced robots that provide high-quality interaction capabilities at low cost. These virtual instances replicate the sophisticated behaviors and responses of expensive physical robots, making advanced interaction quality accessible to budget-conscious users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of robot capabilities through software parameters. Virtual robots can be configured with different levels of intelligence, behavior complexity, and interaction styles without hardware changes, enabling cost-effective customization of interaction quality based on user needs and budget constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for controlling interactions between a plurality of real and virtual robots, the system comprising one or more real robots present in the real environment, one or more virtual robots present in a virtual environment corresponding to the real environment, and a processing device operable to control interactions between one or more of the real robots and one or more of the virtual robots, wherein the interactions between the real and virtual robots are dependent upon at least the positions of the one or more real robots in the real environment and the positions of the one or more virtual robots in the virtual environment.