Mobile Robot Box Light Synchronization for State Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mobile robot systems face visibility issues when transporting objects using a transport box, as the box obstructs the light-emitting units used to display the robot's state, making it less visible to the surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A control system and method that includes a mobile robot with a light-emitting unit around the contact portion and a box-side light-emitting unit on the transport box, which synchronizes light emission patterns to maintain visibility and reduce power consumption, even when the transport box is loaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the mobile robot uses a light-emitting unit provided around the contact portion to display its state, then the state display function is achieved, but the visibility of the robot's state is reduced when the transport box is loaded due to obstruction by the box
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting units are segmented into two distinct groups: first light-emitting units provided around the contact portion of the mobile robot, and second light-emitting units provided on the transport box. This segmentation allows each group to independently contribute to state display, ensuring visibility even when one group is obstructed. The first light-emitting units display state information visible from the robot's perspective, while the second light-emitting units provide complementary state information visible from the transport box's exterior.
2Loss of information
If the first light-emitting unit continuously emits light to maintain visibility, then the state is always visible, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting units operate in a periodic manner rather than continuously. The control unit controls the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit to emit light in coordination, allowing them to be turned off during periods when state display is not required. This periodic operation significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to display state information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the operational state of the mobile robot and the loading state of the transport box, and based on this feedback, intelligently controls the light-emitting units. When the transport box is loaded and obstructs the first light-emitting units, the control unit activates the second light-emitting units on the transport box to compensate. This feedback-based control ensures optimal visibility while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes one or more processors configured to perform system control for controlling a system including a mobile robot configured to move autonomously and transport a transport object. The mobile robot includes a contact portion which comes into contact with a transport box configured to store the transport object when loading and transporting the transport box, and a first light-emitting unit provided around the contact portion and configured to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern associated with a state of the mobile robot. The transport box includes a box-side light-emitting unit which is a light-emitting unit provided on the transport box. The system control includes control on the box-side light-emitting unit to emit light in a light emission pattern corresponding to the predetermined light emission pattern of the first light-emitting unit when the transport box is loaded on the contact portion.