Modular Sensor Interfaces for Robots With Blind-Spot Mapping Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial robots often have limited capabilities and hardware defects, such as blind spots, which can impact performance in specific environments, and users desire to enhance their functions to perform unique tasks, but upgrading hardware in multiple locations is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular devices that can be easily coupled and decoupled from robotic systems, allowing for the addition of sensory modules like cameras and LiDAR sensors to enhance navigation and task performance, enabling robots to produce detailed computer-readable maps and perform additional tasks like item identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware is upgraded in multiple locations to enhance robot capabilities, then robot functionality is improved, but cost and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the robot system into modular components, with sensory modules that can be independently attached and detached. This segmentation allows users to upgrade specific functional areas (e.g., adding only a camera module for item identification) rather than upgrading the entire robot system, thereby improving functionality while maintaining cost-effectiveness and upgrade efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal connection interface that can accommodate multiple types of sensory modules (cameras, LiDAR, depth sensors). This multi-functional design allows a single robot platform to perform various tasks by simply changing or adding modules, eliminating the need for location-specific hardware upgrades and enabling efficient, scalable functionality enhancement.
2Measurement precision
If sensory modules are added to enhance navigation and mapping, then data gathering capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing system into independent, interchangeable modules that can be attached only when needed. Each module contains its own sensors and processing capabilities, allowing the robot to maintain high measurement precision for specific tasks without permanently increasing overall system complexity. The modular design enables users to configure the system based on task requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where sensory modules can be attached or detached based on task requirements. The connection interface dynamically configures data flow and processing pipelines to accommodate different module combinations. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for specific tasks while maintaining low complexity during simpler operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for enhancing task performance and computer readable maps produced by robots using modular sensors is disclosed herein. According to at least one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, robots may perform a first set of tasks, wherein coupling one or more modular sensors to the robots may configure a robot to perform a second set of tasks, the second set of tasks includes the first set of tasks and at least one additional task.