Robot Route Synchronization Using Shared Navigation Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Training multiple robots to follow multiple routes is time-consuming for human operators, as the time required scales multiplicatively with the number of robots and routes, and existing methods often limit each robot to a few specific routes, reducing their utility.
Innovation Solution
The system and method for route synchronization allow robots to share navigation data, enabling a succeeding robot to recreate a route previously navigated by a preceding robot, using a computer-readable map generated by sensors, which is communicated to a server and synchronized with other robots, reducing the need for repeated training and increasing route exchangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robots are trained to follow multiple routes using traditional methods, then each robot can navigate its assigned routes, but the training time scales multiplicatively with the number of robots and routes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a computer-readable map that copies the route information from one robot to another. Instead of training each robot individually on each route, the system creates a digital representation of the route that can be shared across multiple robots, eliminating the need for repeated physical training
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary route exploration by one robot to create the computer-readable map before other robots need to navigate the same route. This preliminary action of mapping the route once allows subsequent robots to immediately use the pre-prepared route information without undergoing the same training process
2Productivity
If each robot is trained on specific routes individually, then the robot can follow those routes accurately, but the process is time-consuming and limits robot utility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the training process across multiple robots by creating a shared computer-readable map that consolidates route information. Instead of separate training processes for each robot-route combination, the system combines all route knowledge into a single digital representation that serves multiple robots simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The computer-readable map serves as a universal interface that enables any robot in the system to navigate any route that has been mapped. This multi-functional approach allows a single map to serve multiple robots and multiple routes, increasing the utility of each robot without requiring specialized training for each scenario
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for route synchronization between two or more robots to allow for a single training run of a route to effectively train multiple robots to follow the route.