Mobile Robot Arm and Rotating Ring for Autonomous Door Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of robots in commercial and industrial settings, particularly in environments requiring frequent human interactions, is hindered by the lack of technologies that enable them to effectively navigate and perform tasks such as opening doors, using elevators, and conducting security operations autonomously.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot equipped with a motorized base, a mechanical arm on a rotatable ring, and various sensors, allowing it to navigate, interact with infrastructure, and perform tasks like opening doors and using elevators, while also being capable of security operations like checking door locks, through a centralized control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robot is equipped with a mechanical arm and rotatable ring for door interactions, then the robot's ability to perform door operations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical arm is designed to perform multiple functions including gripping door handles, pressing elevator buttons, and interacting with various infrastructure elements. The rotatable ring mechanism enables the arm to reach objects in multiple directions, making the robot capable of handling diverse tasks with a single integrated system rather than requiring separate specialized mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable ring provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the mechanical arm to rotate and reach objects at different angles and positions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the robot to adapt its arm position in real-time based on the location of door handles, elevator buttons, or other interaction targets, enhancing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-position arms.
2Extent of automation
If the robot uses a controller to generate motion plans for mechanical arm movements, then the automation level is improved, but the computational requirements and control system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller generates motion plans in advance based on sensor data about the environment, including the location of door handles and other interaction points. By pre-calculating the sequence of arm movements, rotation angles, and gripping forces needed before execution, the system achieves high automation without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the actual door-opening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses sensor feedback to monitor the robot's position, the mechanical arm's orientation, and the location of target objects. This feedback loop allows the controller to adjust motion plans dynamically, ensuring accurate execution of door interactions while maintaining automation. The system continuously compares actual positions with planned positions and makes corrections as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The mobile robot can have a motorized base and a robot body on the motorized base, the robot body including a rotatable ring that rotates horizontally around the robot body. A mechanical arm that can contract and extend relative to the robot body is coupled to the rotatable ring and performs a plurality of actions. A controller of the mobile robot provides instructions to the rotatable ring and the mechanical arm and can cause the mechanical arm to open a door, take an elevator to move to a different floor, and test whether a door is locked properly.