Robotic Garbage Container Navigation for Reliable Curbside Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current garbage collection methods require manual handling and scheduling, which can be inefficient and prone to missed pickups, especially when dealing with obstructions or complex navigation around homes.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system equipped with proximity sensors, positioning sensors, and a computing device that autonomously navigates a garbage container from a home to a curbside pickup location, detects when the container is empty, and returns it to the home for storage, while avoiding obstructions by adjusting its travel path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual garbage collection methods are used, then simplicity and low device complexity are maintained, but productivity and reliability deteriorate due to inefficiency and missed pickups
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs garbage container delivery autonomously without human intervention. The robot navigates independently using sensors and computing devices, detects obstructions, adjusts its own travel path, and delivers containers to designated locations automatically, enabling the system to serve itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system equipped with proximity sensors, positioning sensors, and a computing device. The robotic system uses sensor-based detection and computational processing to substitute for human manual handling, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through automation
2Reliability
If robotic automation is implemented, then productivity and reliability improve, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system operates autonomously to deliver garbage containers, detecting obstructions and adjusting its own travel path without human intervention. This self-service capability ensures reliable pickups while minimizing the need for human operational input
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system uses proximity sensors and positioning sensors to continuously monitor its environment and detect obstructions. The computing device processes sensor data to determine appropriate path adjustments, creating a feedback loop that enhances reliability by enabling real-time adaptive navigation
3Productivity
If the robotic system autonomously navigates and adapts to obstacles, then productivity and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual navigation tasks with an automated sensing and computing system. Proximity sensors detect obstructions, positioning sensors track location, and a computing device processes this information to autonomously determine path adjustments, substituting mechanical human operation with sensor-computing integration
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system independently performs navigation and obstacle detection without human assistance. The integrated sensor and computing system enables the robot to self-navigate and adapt to environmental obstacles, improving collection efficiency while managing navigation complexity through autonomous operation
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic drive system can be attached to a garbage container. A computing device can be configured to determine a travel path for the robotic drive system to travel to a location designated for garbage pickup. The computing device can be configured to cause the robotic drive system to move to be proximate to a location designated for garbage pickup.