Mobile Robot Elevator Interaction for Autonomous Building Patrol
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of robots in commercial and industrial settings, particularly in environments requiring frequent human-robot interactions, is hindered by the lack of technologies that effectively enable robots to communicate with building infrastructure and perform tasks autonomously while ensuring safety and security.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot system that utilizes wireless communication, sensors, and autonomous navigation to interact with elevator systems, perform inventory management, and detect unauthorized surveillance devices, while also updating virtual models of environments to mitigate safety violations and maintain security protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mobile robot uses wireless communication to interact with elevator systems and building infrastructure, then the robot's ability to navigate and perform tasks autonomously is improved, but the complexity of the communication protocols and integration requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed with multi-functional capabilities including wireless communication interfaces, sensor arrays, and autonomous navigation systems that can interact with multiple building infrastructure systems (elevators, security systems, inventory systems) using standardized protocols, allowing a single platform to perform diverse tasks across different operational contexts
2Productivity
If the mobile robot autonomously performs inventory management operations in retail environments, then productivity is improved, but the precision required for object recognition and manipulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot uses camera systems to capture visual images of inventory items and creates digital representations or copies of these items for identification and tracking purposes, enabling automated inventory management through image recognition technology rather than requiring direct physical manipulation of each item
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inventory management with an automated system using cameras, image processing algorithms, and wireless communication to track and manage inventory, substituting mechanical precision requirements with optical and computational methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile robot operates in environments requiring frequent human interaction, then the robot's versatility is improved, but the safety risks associated with human-robot interactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is equipped with sensor arrays including cameras and other detection devices that continuously monitor the environment for human presence and movement, providing real-time feedback to the control system to adjust robot behavior and maintain safe operating distances or pause operations when humans are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements safety protocols and monitoring mechanisms in advance that detect potential safety violations or hazardous conditions before they occur, allowing the robot to preemptively adjust its operations or alert human operators to prevent safety incidents
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot is configured for operation in a commercial or industrial setting, such as an office building or retail store. The robot can patrol one or more routes within a building, and can detect violations of security policies by objects, building infrastructure and security systems, or individuals. In response to the detected violations, the robot can perform one or more security operations. The robot can include a removable fabric panel, enabling sensors within the robot body to capture signals that propagate through the fabric. In addition, the robot can scan RFID tags of objects within an area, for instance coupled to store inventory. Likewise, the robot can generate or update one or more semantic maps for use by the robot in navigating an area and for measuring compliance with security policies.