Robot Fish Light-Signal Navigation for GPS-Free Underwater Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robots struggle with poor GPS signal quality in underwater environments, affecting their movement and navigation.
Innovation Solution
A robot fish system that uses light-emitting devices and light receivers to navigate in aquatic areas, with a processor controlling the robot's movement based on the reception of light signals from these devices, enabling modes like left-turn, right-turn, straight-moving, and random movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS signals are used for robot navigation, then the robot can navigate in open environments, but the navigation reliability deteriorates in underwater environments due to poor GPS signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light signals as an intermediary medium for navigation. Instead of relying on GPS signals that cannot penetrate water, the system uses light-emitting devices and light receivers to establish a communication and navigation channel that works effectively in underwater environments, thus resolving the contradiction between navigation reliability and GPS signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic GPS-based navigation system with an optical-based navigation system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic GPS reception mechanism with light detection mechanisms (light receivers detecting light from emitters), the system achieves reliable navigation in underwater environments where GPS signals fail.
2Reliability
If light-based navigation is implemented, then navigation reliability improves in underwater environments, but device complexity increases due to additional light-emitting devices and light receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting devices serve multiple functions: they act as navigation beacons, position markers, and communication signals simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining high navigation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing optical properties of water and light propagation to achieve navigation. The light signals naturally propagate through water without requiring additional complex transmission infrastructure, and the robot fish passive(ly detects these signals, utilizing the environment's natural characteristics rather than adding complex active transmission systems.
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
Enables accurate and engaging navigation of the robot fish in aquatic environments without relying on GPS, allowing it to follow and interact with light-emitting devices, enhancing user engagement.
Implementation Method 1
configured to emit a light signal in the specific aquatic area
Implementation Method 2
configured to receive the light signal emitted from the light-emitting device
Data Source
AI summary
A robot fish system includes a robot fish, and a light-emitting device emitting a light signal. The robot fish includes a housing, on which first and second light receivers, a driving module and a processor are disposed. The processor is connected to the first and second light receivers and the driving module. The processor controls the driving module to operate in a left-turn mode to make the robot fish turn left when only the first light receiver receives the light signal, in a right-turn mode to make the robot fish turn right when only the second light receiver receives the light signal, in a straight-moving mode to make the robot fish move straight when both the first and second light receivers receive the light signal, and in a random mode to make the robot fish move randomly when none of the first and second light receivers receives the light signal.