Autonomous Robotic Cart Handlebar Control for Human-Guided Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous and semi-autonomous robots lack effective mechanisms for human interaction and control, particularly in environments where human workers need to operate them without specialized devices, and they often treat humans as static obstacles, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous robotic cart equipped with a chassis, visible light cameras, a handlebar unit with a force sensor, and a holonomic and omnidirectional mechanical drive unit, allowing for user-controlled navigation and obstacle avoidance based on sensor data and force vectors, with the ability to differentiate between humans and static objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If autonomous robots use standard graphical user interfaces for control, then automation extent is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for workers without specialized training

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoiduser control accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A force sensing handlebar serves as an intermediary device between the user and the autonomous robot. The handlebar includes force sensors that detect user input forces and translate them into control commands for the robot, enabling intuitive physical interaction without requiring specialized training or complex graphical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces (levers, buttons, switches) with a force sensing system that uses sensors to detect applied forces on the handlebar. This allows the robot to respond to natural human physical gestures rather than requiring operation of complex mechanical control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If robots treat all objects as static obstacles, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates in dynamic environments with human workers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection system simplicityVSAvoidresponse to dynamic environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The robot system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time sensor data. The processor continuously updates a scene graph representation of the environment and dynamically generates avoidance vectors that change as the robot moves and as new obstacles or human workers are detected, enabling adaptive response to dynamic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses continuous feedback from multiple sensors (cameras, force sensors) to update its understanding of the environment through scene graph updates. This feedback loop allows the robot to distinguish between static obstacles and dynamic human workers and adjust its navigation and interaction strategies accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If robots require specialized control devices for human operation, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture and onboarding deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system reliabilityVSAvoidstandardization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensing handlebar serves multiple functions: it acts as a physical control interface, a sensor platform for detecting user intent, and a communication bridge between human and machine. This universal design allows the same hardware component to fulfill multiple roles, simplifying manufacturing and enabling workers to operate different robot systems with the same intuitive interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates seamless human-robot interaction, enables rapid onboarding and workflow adjustments, enhances safety by intelligently navigating around humans, and reduces operational costs through standardized hardware and localized processing, improving responsiveness and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Implementation Method 1

a force sensor configured to detect a translational force and a rotational force exerted on the handlebar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentUS12416930B1Systems and methods for an autonomous mobile robot

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 ROBUST AI INC

AI summary

An autonomous robotic cart includes a chassis, sensors coupled with the chassis, visible light cameras, and a handlebar unit coupled with the chassis. The handlebar unit includes a handlebar and a force sensor configured to detect a translational force and a rotational force exerted on the handlebar. The autonomous robotic cart also includes a holonomic and omnidirectional mechanical drive unit coupled with the chassis. The autonomous robotic cart is configured to autonomously navigate a physical environment to execute one or more navigation goals determined based on communication with a remote computing system configured to manage a fleet of robots including the autonomous robotic cart and also to cause the autonomous robotic cart to move translationally and rotationally in a direction corresponding to a output force vector determined based on sensor data.