Follower-Guiding Robot Speed Control Using Laser Distance Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robots guiding followers in open spaces may continue moving at a constant speed, unaware of the follower's status, potentially leaving the follower behind if it stops or slows down, due to lack of awareness of the follower's distance and movement.
Innovation Solution
A robot equipped with front and rear laser scanners, a processing unit, and a motion control unit that scans the environment, calculates the distance to the follower, adjusts speed based on the follower's position and orientation, and generates movement commands to ensure the follower is led safely to a destination, incorporating obstacle detection and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the robot moves at a constant speed to the destination, then the robot can maintain a simple control system and high speed, but the robot cannot respond to the follower's status changes and may leave the follower behind
Solution Approach 1:
The robot uses laser scanners to continuously detect the distance to the follower and adjusts its speed based on this feedback. The control system monitors the follower's position and modifies the robot's movement accordingly, ensuring the follower is not left behind while maintaining efficient traversal of the open space.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot transitions from constant speed movement to dynamic speed adjustment. The speed is no longer fixed but varies based on the real-time distance to the follower, allowing the robot to accelerate when the follower is far and decelerate when approaching, thus maintaining reliable guidance while optimizing travel time.
2Reliability
If the robot continuously monitors the follower's distance and adjusts speed, then the follower guidance reliability improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through laser scanners that measure distance to the follower and a control unit that processes this information to adjust speed. This feedback mechanism improves reliability while keeping the complexity manageable through standardized sensor and controller components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical follower attachment systems with optical sensing (laser scanners) and electronic control. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving reliable follower guidance through non-contact distance measurement and electronic speed regulation.
3Reliability
If the robot uses laser scanners to detect obstacles and navigate, then the navigation safety improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses laser scanners to replace complex mechanical obstacle detection systems. The optical sensors provide accurate distance measurement and obstacle detection without the mechanical complexity of physical sensors or contact-based detection mechanisms, improving navigation safety while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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
The solution enables the robot to dynamically adjust its speed and movement to maintain synchronization with the follower, reducing the risk of the follower being left behind and ensuring safe navigation through the open space.
Implementation Method 1
a front laser scanner that is disposed at a front side of the main body for scanning the front of the main body, a rear laser scanner that is disposed at a rear side of the main body for scanning the rear of the main body
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method of a robot for leading a follower to a destination within an open space includes: calculating a distance between the follower and the robot; when it is determined that the distance is not greater than a threshold, determining a pre-movement location of the robot in the open space and an orientation of the robot, and calculating a linear speed and an angular speed for the robot based on the pre-movement location and the orientation of the robot and the destination; moving according to the linear speed and the angular speed; determining whether the robot has arrived at the destination according to the current position; and repeating the previous steps when it is determined that the robot has not arrived at the destination.