Robot Dock Placement Validation Using Obstacle Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robot systems lack an efficient method to validate the dock location for docking, often resulting in obstruction by obstacles or misplacement of the docking station.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot system that includes a docking station and a mobile cleaning robot equipped with a drive system and a controller circuit. The controller circuit detects obstacles in the docking area using images from cameras on the robot or mobile devices, generating notifications and recommendations for clearing obstacles or repositioning the docking station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the docking station is placed in the environment without validation, then the mobile robot can perform docking operations, but obstacles may obstruct or interfere with the docking behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of the docking area by capturing images and detecting obstacles before the mobile robot attempts docking. The controller circuit analyzes the docking area for obstacles and provides notifications or recommendations to clear obstacles before docking operations commence, preventing potential docking failures.
2Reliability
If obstacle detection is implemented in the docking area, then docking reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot uses its own existing imaging sensors (cameras) to detect obstacles in the docking area, rather than requiring separate dedicated detection devices. The controller circuit on the robot processes the images and determines obstacle presence, allowing the system to perform self-validation without adding external complexity.
3Loss of time
If the docking area is not validated, then setup time is reduced, but docking failures may occur due to obstacles or misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the user about the docking area status by analyzing images and detecting obstacles. The controller circuit generates notifications or recommendations based on the detected conditions, allowing users to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with docking or clear obstacles first, thereby preventing docking failures.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for validating location of a docking station for docking a mobile robot. In an example, a mobile robot system includes a docking station and a mobile cleaning robot. The mobile cleaning robot includes a drive system to move the mobile cleaning robot about an environment including a docking area within a distance of the docking station, and a controller circuit to detect, from an image of the docking area, a presence or absence of one or more obstacles in the docking area. A notification may be generated to inform a user about the detected obstacles. The mobile device may generate a recommendation to the user to clear the docking area or reposition the docking station, or suggest one or more candidate locations for placing the docking station.