Intelligent Robot Face With Flexible Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current animatronics-based intelligent robots are costly, require multiple devices for operation, and suffer from unnatural movements due to the uncanny valley phenomenon, limiting their accessibility and human-like interaction capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent robot design featuring a face formed by stacked members with flexible structures and a power transmission element, controlled by a processor to mimic human-like motion and expression based on audio input, with adjustable torque and light emission to enhance immersion and synchronization with audio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If animatronics-based mechanisms are used to create lifelike movement, then the robot can interact with users by mimicking human expression or motion, but the robot becomes costly and requires sophisticated mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The robot's head is divided into multiple stackable members (first member, second member, third member, etc.) that can be independently controlled. Each member can perform different motions (tilting, rotating, opening/closing) to create realistic facial expressions without requiring a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible structures (flexible plates, flexible beams) that enable dynamic and smooth motion between stacked members. This allows the robot to create lifelike facial expressions through continuous, natural movements rather than rigid, mechanical motions
2Reliability
If animatronics-based mechanisms are used to create lifelike movement, then the robot can mimic human expression, but the movement becomes unnatural due to the uncanny valley phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible plates and flexible beams as connecting structures between members. These flexible elements enable smooth, natural-looking movements that mimic human facial muscle motions, avoiding the rigid, mechanical appearance that causes the uncanny valley effect
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked member structure adds vertical layering to the robot's head, allowing movements in multiple dimensions (tilting, rotating, opening/closing) simultaneously. This multi-dimensional motion capability creates more realistic and less artificial facial expressions
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used for operation, then the robot can perform complex functions, but the robot becomes less accessible and more difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
Each motor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling the motion of one member while also influencing the overall head movement. The flexible structures serve multiple purposes by connecting members and enabling both rigid and flexible motions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple control functions into a unified stacked member structure. Instead of separate mechanisms for each facial movement, the stacked members with flexible connections combine multiple motion capabilities (tilting, rotating, opening/closing) into a single integrated system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The robot provides more human-like and immersive interactions by controlling facial motion and light emission in response to audio input, overcoming the uncanny valley issue and improving synchronization without language limitations, while being cost-effective and accessible.
Implementation Method 1
at least one motor disposed inside or outside the intelligent robot, and wherein the at least one power transmission element has a first end connected to at least one of the plurality of members and a second end connected to the at least one motor
Implementation Method 2
at least one flexible structure disposed in at least one of the gaps
Implementation Method 3
turn on or off light in an upward or downward direction by a light source on top or bottom of the intelligent robot inside of the intelligent robot
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent robot according to an embodiment is disclosed. The intelligent robot according to an embodiment includes at least one processor and a memory configured to store instructions for executing the at least one processor, wherein the intelligent robot includes a plurality of members stacked with gaps to form a shape of a face, and at least one flexible structure disposed in at least one of the gaps, and wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the at least one processor to control a motion of the face by applying a force to a power transmission element connected to at least one of the plurality of members based on an audio input.