Robot Cleaner User-Following Mode for Collaborative Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaners face inefficiencies in cleaning tasks, particularly when dealing with high surfaces and areas where manual intervention is required, and struggle to collaborate effectively with users, especially in environments with multiple users or when confined by obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner equipped with a sensing unit for detecting users and obstacles, a traveling unit for autonomous movement, and a controller that switches between following a user and cleaning modes based on distance and user presence, allowing for efficient and collaborative cleaning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the robot cleaner operates autonomously in preset patterns, then it can clean areas accessible to it, but it cannot clean high surfaces or areas requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines autonomous robot cleaning with manual user cleaning into a collaborative system. The robot and user work together where the robot handles accessible areas while the user cleans high surfaces or obstructed areas, merging automated and manual operations to achieve complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal cleaning solution that accommodates both autonomous robot operation and manual user intervention. The robot can operate independently in accessible areas while also collaborating with users for areas requiring manual access, making the system adaptable to diverse cleaning scenarios.
2Productivity
If the robot cleaner follows a user, then it can clean surrounding areas efficiently, but it becomes confined by obstacles like wires and thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically switches between following the user and independent cleaning modes based on real-time obstacle detection and distance measurements. When obstacles are detected, the robot can deviate from strict following to navigate around them, then resume following or clean the area independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the robot's movement control. It detects obstacles and user position, providing information that enables the robot to navigate around obstacles while maintaining proximity to the user for efficient cleaning.
3Device complexity
If the robot cleaner uses preset cleaning patterns, then it operates simply, but it cannot respond to user needs or multiple users
Solution Approach 1:
The robot uses feedback from sensing units that detect user presence, position, and movement to dynamically adjust its cleaning behavior. The sensing unit provides real-time information about users in the environment, enabling the robot to respond appropriately without complex pre-programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously detects and responds to user needs without requiring explicit commands. It automatically identifies when a user is present, determines the appropriate cleaning mode (following vs. independent), and executes the suitable behavior, making the system adaptable while maintaining simple operation for users.
4Extent of automation
If the robot cleaner requires separate instructions to clean specific areas, then it operates autonomously, but it wastes time waiting for instructions or completing full cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary autonomous cleaning of accessible areas while the user is present, without waiting for explicit instructions. By proactively cleaning areas within reach, the robot reduces overall cleaning time while maintaining autonomous operation for areas the user cannot access.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner using artificial intelligence may include a traveling unit configured to move a main body; a cleaning unit configured to perform a cleaning function; a sensing unit configured to sense a surrounding user; and a controller configured to recognize location of a user based on information sensed through the sensing unit, and control to follow the user to perform cleaning. A method of controlling the robot cleaner using artificial intelligence may include recognizing location of a user; and a follow-up cleaning step of following the user to clean a surrounding area of the user.