Autonomous Robot Coupling for Vehicle Power and Ventilation Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous vehicle technologies lack an efficient method to integrate and transport autonomous robots, limiting their ability to provide cost-effective and efficient services such as package delivery and item transportation.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robot system that can interface with an autonomous vehicle, utilizing the vehicle's resources for power, ventilation, and navigation, while independently securing and moving within the vehicle to transport items and provide services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous vehicles are used to transport autonomous robots, then service delivery efficiency is improved, but vehicle resource utilization and integration capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous robot is designed with universal interfaces that can connect to multiple vehicle systems (power system, ventilation system, navigation system). The power interface can both receive power from and charge the vehicle, the ventilation interface can both provide and receive ventilation services, and the navigation interface can both send and receive navigation data, enabling bidirectional resource utilization between the robot and vehicle.
2Loss of energy
If autonomous robots integrate with autonomous vehicles, then operational costs are reduced, but system complexity and integration difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The integration system is divided into separate modular interfaces: a power interface for electrical connections, a ventilation interface for air flow connections, and a navigation interface for data communication. Each interface handles a specific function independently, allowing the complex integration to be managed through standardized, separate connection points rather than a monolithic complex system.
3Reliability
If autonomous robots secure themselves to autonomous vehicles, then transport reliability is improved, but coupling mechanism complexity and securing time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it provides both mechanical securing (clamping force) and electrical connection (power and data interfaces) through one unified assembly. This allows the robot to be securely attached to the vehicle while simultaneously establishing all necessary system connections through a single coupling action.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.