Robotic Garden Tool Radar Control for Obstacle-Aware Speed Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic garden tools lack effective methods for controlling speed and movement direction in response to detected objects, leading to potential collisions and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A robotic garden tool equipped with a millimeter wave radar sensor and an electronic processor that executes speed and steering control algorithms to adjust wheel motor movements based on object detection data, allowing for adaptive navigation and collision avoidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the robotic garden tool moves at a constant high speed, then productivity is improved, but the risk of collision with objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemowing speedVSAvoidcollision avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic garden tool dynamically adjusts its speed based on real-time object detection data. When objects are detected within a threshold distance, the controller reduces speed or reverses direction. When no objects are present, the tool maintains high speed for productive operation. This dynamic speed adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback through object detection sensors that monitor the environment ahead of the robotic tool. The detection data is fed back to the controller, which adjusts speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the tool to respond to changing conditions, maintaining both high productivity and safety by adjusting speed based on actual environmental conditions rather than operating at a fixed speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the robotic garden tool frequently adjusts speed and direction, then collision avoidance is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements selective speed adjustment rather than continuous modification. Speed changes are triggered only when objects are detected within a specific threshold distance, rather than making constant adjustments. This partial action approach maintains operational efficiency by avoiding unnecessary speed changes while still providing adequate collision avoidance through targeted responses to actual obstacles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If object detection sensitivity is increased, then collision avoidance is improved, but false detections increase leading to unnecessary speed reductions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses adjustable detection thresholds and distance parameters to optimize detection sensitivity. By carefully selecting the threshold distance and detection parameters, the system achieves high object detection accuracy while minimizing false detections that would trigger unnecessary speed reductions. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between detection sensitivity and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the tool's ability to navigate around obstacles, prevent collisions, and optimize movement based on detected objects, improving operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an object detection sensor configured to detect one or more objects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP4300247B1Controlling movement of a robotic garden tool with respect to one or more detected objects
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4300247B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4300247B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4300247B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A robotic garden tool may include an object detection sensor. Object detection data from the object detection sensor may indicate a respective position of each of one or more objects with respect to the robotic garden tool. The robotic garden tool may be configured to execute a speed control algorithm that may include determining, based on the object detection data, whether any objects are present within a detection area of the object detection sensor. The speed control algorithm also may include adjusting a speed of the robotic garden tool and/or a travel direction of the robotic garden tool based on whether and where any objects are detected within the detection area.