Robot Localization Signals for Targeted Wireless Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile robots lack the ability to determine which particular robot among a plurality of proximate robots is associated with a specific wireless message, leading to inefficiencies and potential collisions due to the inability to exchange specifically addressed messages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a localization system that uses pulsed visible or infrared light signals to identify and localize robots, allowing them to determine the direction and identification code of nearby robots, enabling targeted wireless communication and improved coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile robots use wireless communication to exchange messages, then coordination and cooperation between robots can be improved, but robots cannot determine which specific robot is associated with which message, leading to communication inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical signal (laser or LED) as an intermediary carrier to transmit robot identification information. This optical signal serves as a mediator between the robot's wireless communication and the receiving robot's message processing, enabling precise identification of message recipients through optical detection and triangulation methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional radio-frequency wireless communication with an optical communication system using lasers or LEDs. This substitution enables precise directional transmission and reception of signals, allowing robots to determine the spatial location and identity of communicating partners through optical detection and angle calculation
2Device complexity
If mobile robots rely on pre-programmed routes and basic collision avoidance, then system complexity is reduced, but robots cannot dynamically coordinate with multiple proximate robots, leading to potential collisions and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where robots continuously emit and detect optical signals to determine the positions and identities of proximate robots. This real-time feedback enables dynamic route adjustment and coordinated navigation, allowing robots to adapt to changing environments and avoid collisions through continuous spatial awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables robots to perform preliminary identification and localization of proximate robots through optical signal detection before executing navigation decisions. By pre-establishing spatial awareness and robot identification, systems can proactively plan collision-free paths and coordinate movements without requiring complex real-time computation during critical moments
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
This solution enhances the cooperation and efficiency of autonomous robots by enabling them to specifically address messages to individual robots, reducing collisions and improving task performance.
Implementation Method 1
a localization signal including a plurality of pulses of visible or infrared light
Data Source
AI summary
5G and especially 6G will enable a multitude of applications for fixed-position and mobile wireless task-devices (“robots”). Most of these applications are based on the assumption that the robots know, or can determine, the locations and wireless identities of other robots in proximity, but this is an unsolved problem. Procedures are provided herein for an arbitrarily large number of fixed-position and mobile robots to autonomously identify each other, determine their locations with speed and precision substantially beyond that provided by navigation satellites, and then to collaborate in performing their tasks, while avoiding interference and collisions. Examples are provided in the fields of automated agriculture, remote oil-spill mitigation, autonomous fire-fighting, hospital management, construction site coordination, manufacturing (including fully autonomous manufacturing), major product warehousing, airport control, and emergency vehicle access.