Robot Safety Controller Using Visual Detection for Human Collaboration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic safety systems are inflexible and lack redundancy, preventing human operators from safely interacting with robots in motion, as they require constant hand or finger pressure for control and do not allow collaboration while the robot is operating.
Innovation Solution
A safety controller that communicates with robots and human mobile devices, using sensor information to assess risk modes and adjust robotic operations, allowing human operators to collaborate with robots safely by determining commands based on kinematic data and safety criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing robotic safety systems use constant hand or finger pressure control mechanisms, then robot operation safety is maintained, but human operator flexibility and ability to collaborate with robots is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure-based safety controls with an optical/computer vision system. The robotic actor includes cameras and image processing capabilities that continuously monitor the work zone for human presence, substituting the need for physical hand or finger pressure controls with automated visual detection and response systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic actor performs self-monitoring for safety conditions by using its own onboard sensors and image processing systems to detect human actors in its work zone. The robot independently assesses safety conditions and adjusts its operation without requiring constant human intervention or pressure on safety controls.
2Reliability
If existing safety systems require constant human control pressure, then safety is ensured, but operational efficiency and collaboration capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic actor continuously monitors its work zone using onboard cameras and image processing, maintaining uninterrupted safety surveillance without requiring periodic human intervention. This continuous automated monitoring allows the robot to operate efficiently while constantly ensuring safety conditions are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the robotic actor's sensors detect human presence, the image processing system analyzes the data, and the robot automatically adjusts its operation in real-time. This closed-loop feedback system maintains safety while enabling uninterrupted productive operation.
3Device complexity
If existing robotic systems lack redundancy in safety mechanisms, then system complexity is reduced, but safety reliability and adaptability to different human-robot interaction scenarios worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic actor integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: work zone monitoring, human detection, image processing, and safety control adjustments all occur within the same robotic platform. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive safety coverage without requiring separate redundant safety systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system is dynamic and adaptive, automatically adjusting safety parameters and control mechanisms based on real-time detection of human presence and robot operation conditions. The system transitions between different safety modes depending on the operational context, providing reliable safety without fixed rigid constraints.
4Device complexity
If existing safety systems do not allow collaboration during robotic operation, then safety control is simplified, but adaptability to collaborative work scenarios and operational flexibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The safety control system dynamically adapts its behavior based on detected human presence and operational context. When humans are detected in the work zone, the system automatically adjusts safety parameters and control mechanisms to enable safe collaboration, transitioning from simplified static control to adaptive dynamic control as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as speed, acceleration, and work zone boundaries based on real-time detection of human actors. These parameter adjustments enable collaborative work scenarios while maintaining safety, allowing the robot to operate more flexibly when humans are present rather than requiring fixed simplified control protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for operating robotic actors in a human/robotic environment. A safety controller that is configured to communicate with one or more robotic actors can receive actor information about at least a location of one or more actors. The safety controller can receive robot information comprising at least a location of a particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors. The safety controller can determine a command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors by applying one or more safety criteria to the actor information and the robot information. The safety controller can generate an output including the command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor.