Robotic Communicative Lighting for Predictive Arm Movement Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic systems lack effective communication methods to convey information to human workers in sortation environments, particularly when dealing with unexpected or problematic items, and struggle to translate visual cues used in human-operated systems to automated systems, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system equipped with an articulated arm and an array of RGB LEDs for illumination, which conveys planned movements, object placement information, and system state through color and flashing modes, facilitating communication and collaboration between robots and human workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If lighting is used to indicate target locations in automated robotic systems, then visual communication with human workers is improved, but the system complexity increases compared to direct database communication
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independently controllable LED indicators positioned at different locations (base station, articulated arm, end effector). Each segment communicates specific information about robotic state and intentions, allowing complex information transmission through simple visual elements without requiring complex communication hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system serves as an intermediary communication medium between the robotic system and human workers. Rather than direct machine-to-human communication through interfaces or displays, the LEDs mediate information transfer by translating robotic state and intentions into intuitive visual cues that workers can understand at a glance.
2Productivity
If the robotic system operates at high speed, then productivity is improved, but safety risks increase due to reduced communication time with human workers
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system provides preliminary warning by illuminating LEDs that indicate the robotic arm's intended movements before those movements occur. Human workers can see the anticipated actions in advance and adjust their positions or activities accordingly, allowing the robotic system to operate at high speed without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system provides continuous visual feedback about the robotic system's state and intentions. Different LED patterns and colors convey information about current operations, planned movements, and system status, enabling workers to understand robotic actions in real-time and coordinate their activities safely alongside high-speed automated operations.
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 safety and efficiency by providing human workers with accessible and digestible information about robotic actions and states, enabling advanced interaction and reducing the risk of injury through clear communication of robotic intentions and actions.
Implementation Method 1
A controller of the articulated arm is also in communication with an array of LEDs and controls illumination of the LEDs to convey information regarding a state of the robotic system
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic system is disclosed that includes an articulated arm with an end effector. The robotic system is for use in a robotic environment requiring interaction with persons in the robotic environment, and includes a plurality of lights that are illuminated responsive to known near-future movements of the articulated arm to convey the known near-future movements of the articulated arm to the persons in the robot environment.