Robot Light Projection for Ground-Based Alerts and Safe Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic devices lack effective methods to output light and audio alerts in a safe and reliable manner while navigating environments, particularly to indicate the presence of entities without risking blindness or alarming humans.
Innovation Solution
A legged robot equipped with light sources positioned on its body, capable of projecting light downwardly and outwardly beyond its footprint, with adjustable brightness and pattern to create dynamic shadows and alerts on the ground surface, and audio sources for audible alerts, allowing for customizable outputs based on sensor data and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light sources are positioned on the robot body to output light alerts, then the robot can communicate with entities in the environment, but the light may blind or alarm humans if not properly directed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the ground surface as an intermediary medium to project light patterns onto, rather than directing light directly at entities. This mediator approach allows the light to communicate information indirectly through projected patterns, avoiding direct exposure to eyes while still conveying alert messages effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct light emission toward entities to projecting light onto the ground surface dimension. By moving the light output to a different spatial dimension (the ground plane), the system maintains communication effectiveness while eliminating the harmful direct exposure issue.
2Area of stationary object
If light sources are positioned to project light beyond the robot footprint, then the alert coverage area is increased, but the light may not be reliably visible to all entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic light projection patterns that can change based on robot orientation, detected entities, and environmental conditions. The light patterns are dynamically adjusted to ensure reliable visibility to relevant entities while covering the necessary area, rather than using fixed static projection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes light projection parameters such as intensity, pattern, color, and angular distribution based on sensor data and environmental conditions. This allows the light to be optimized for visibility reliability in different scenarios while maintaining appropriate coverage area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are added to the robot body, then the light output capability and alert versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple light sources that can function in different combinations and patterns to achieve various alert types and communication messages. Rather than having specialized single-function lights, the system uses multi-functional light sources controlled by a central system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light sources into a coordinated system controlled by a single control mechanism. By merging the control functions and coordinating the light sources together, the system achieves high versatility without proportionally increasing control complexity.
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 safe and reliable visual and auditory communication with entities in the environment, enhancing the robot's ability to navigate and interact without impairing humans, while maintaining accurate sensor data capture and effective navigation.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more light sources may project light on a ground surface of an environment of the robot
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for outputting light and/or audio using one or more light and/or audio sources of a robot. The light sources may be located on one or more legs of the robot, a bottom portion of the robot, and/or a top portion of the robot. The audio sources may include a speaker and/or an audio resonator. A system can obtain sensor data associated with an environment of the robot. Based on the sensor data, the system can identify an alert. For example, the system can identify an entity based on the sensor data and identify an alert for the entity. The system can instruct an output of light and/or audio indicative of the alert using the one or more light and/or audio sources. The system can adjust parameters of the output based on the sensor data.