Detachable Robot Face Parts for Automatic Personality Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current social robots face limitations in customization, requiring advanced technical knowledge to change their visual appearance and behavior, as the facial characteristics of the animation must match the 3D display surface, and altering their identity or personality often necessitates reprogramming.

Innovation Solution

A robot system that allows easy customization by detachably connecting different face parts to the robot head, automatically adapting the robot's identity and personality through computer-readable program code, enabling users to change these characteristics without needing advanced hardware or software, by using a communication unit to identify and adapt based on the connected face part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the facial characteristics of the face animation are adapted to match the 3D shape of the display surface, then the visual appearance becomes realistic and the face appears to be physically moving, but the degree of customization of the visual appearance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual realismVSAvoidcustomization degree
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The face part is divided into a separate detachable component that can be easily replaced. The robot head is configured for detachable connection to the face part, allowing users to swap between different face parts (e.g., human-like, animal-like, fictional character) without modifying the display surface or reprogramming the robot. Each face part contains identification information that enables automatic recognition and adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different face parts serve as physical copies representing different identities and personalities. Each face part is associated with specific program code that defines the robot's behavior and characteristics. When a face part is attached, the system copies or loads the corresponding program code to match the visual appearance with the appropriate personality and behavior patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the robot identity and personality are changed by reprogramming, then customization is achieved, but the process requires advanced technical knowledge and use of computers and computer programs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiduser friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robot performs automatic identification and adaptation when a face part is attached. The communication unit automatically reads the identification information from the attached face part, retrieves the corresponding program code, and configures the robot's identity and personality without requiring user intervention in the programming process. The system serves itself by automatically matching the visual appearance with the appropriate behavior patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The face part acts as an intermediary that carries identification information and serves as a physical key to unlock specific robot personalities. Instead of directly programming the robot, users interact with the simplified face part attachment process. The communication unit mediates between the face part and the control unit, automatically translating the physical attachment into software configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple face parts with different identities and personalities are provided, then robot customization is enhanced, but the system complexity increases requiring communication units and identification mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot customizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit serves multiple functions: it reads identification information from different face parts, retrieves corresponding program code, and configures the robot's behavior. The detachable connection mechanism provides universal compatibility across different face parts while maintaining a simple attachment interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex systems for each customization aspect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3437029B1Customization of robot
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 FURHAT ROBOTICS AB
  • EP3437029B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3437029B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3437029B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a robot (1) configured to exhibit a robot identity and/or a robot personality at least partly through execution of computer-readable program code. The robot comprises a robot head (3) configured for connection to a face part (9; 9A, 9B) including a display surface, the robot being configured to cause the display of a face image depicting a face of said robot on said display surface. The robot head (3) is configured for detachable connection to said face part to allow detachable connection of different face parts (9; 9A, 9B) to the robot head, and the robot (1) is configured to automatically adapt said robot identity and/or said robot personality based on the face part currently being connected to the robot head (3). This allows a user of the robot to change character of the robot, i.e. to change the robot identity and/or personality, by connection of different face parts to the robot head.