Autonomous Robot Coupling Assembly for Vehicle Resource Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle technologies lack the ability to efficiently interface with autonomous robots, limiting their collaborative potential in providing vehicle services such as transportation and delivery.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robot designed to interface with an autonomous vehicle, featuring a mobility assembly, sensor system, computing system, and coupling assembly, allowing it to board and ride within the vehicle while leveraging its resources, such as power and ventilation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous vehicles operate independently without robot interfaces, then vehicle control simplicity is maintained, but service versatility and collaborative capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous robot is divided into functional modules including mobility assembly, coupling assembly, sensor system, computing system, power system, and ventilation system. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the robot to be transported by the autonomous vehicle while maintaining independent operational capabilities for delivery and service tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly enables the autonomous robot to interface with the autonomous vehicle, creating a universal platform that supports multiple service functions including transportation, delivery, and collaborative operations. The robot can board and disembark from the vehicle, and connect to its systems, providing versatile service capabilities beyond what a single vehicle can accomplish alone
2Productivity
If autonomous robots have complete independent systems, then operational independence is achieved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous robot connects its power system to the autonomous vehicle's power system through a power interface, and integrates its ventilation system with the vehicle's ventilation system through a ventilation interface. This merging of systems allows the robot to share resources with the vehicle, improving overall resource utilization efficiency while reducing redundant components
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism that enables temporary securement of the autonomous robot to the autonomous vehicle. This intermediary connection facilitates resource sharing and system integration while maintaining the robot's ability to operate independently when detached
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous robots board autonomous vehicles, then service collaboration capability improves, but vehicle interior space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly provides dynamic securement of the autonomous robot within the vehicle interior, allowing the robot to be positioned and secured at different locations as needed. This dynamic positioning capability enables flexible space utilization while maintaining collaborative functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.