Unattended Robot Navigation via Remote Correction Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous robots often stop moving when they cannot recognize environmental conditions not in their object library, leading to idle operation when unattended.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows unattended robots to detect impediments by sending a help message to a remote entity, which determines the necessary correction and sends control signals for the robot to move around the obstacle, enabling continued autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the robot uses machine vision to navigate autonomously, then the robot can operate independently without attendants, but the robot stops moving when it cannot recognize environmental conditions not in its object library
Solution Approach 1:
A remote entity acts as an intermediary between the robot and the environmental conditions it cannot recognize. When the robot encounters an unrecognized object or condition, it sends a message to the remote entity, which provides correction information enabling the robot to continue moving without stopping
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the robot monitors its own movement status and environmental recognition capability. When movement is impeded due to unrecognized conditions, the robot communicates this state to a remote entity, receives correction information, and adjusts its behavior accordingly to maintain continuous operation
2Productivity
If the robot operates unattended without human monitoring, then productivity increases, but the robot cannot handle unrecognized environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The remote entity is prepared in advance to provide correction information for various unrecognized environmental conditions. When the robot encounters such conditions, the pre-positioned remote entity can immediately respond with appropriate correction information, enabling the robot to adapt to new environments without reducing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The remote entity serves multiple functions: it receives messages from the robot about impeded movement, determines appropriate correction information for various types of unrecognized environmental conditions, and sends control signals back to the robot. This multi-functional system enables the robot to handle diverse environmental conditions while maintaining unattended operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a robot, receives a first message from an unattended robot relating to movement of the robot. Receipt of the first message indicates that movement of the robot is impeded by an environmental condition. The method then determines how to correct the impeded movement caused by the environmental condition, and forwards a second message toward the robot having correction information, which enables the robot to move without impediment by the environmental condition.