Virtual Stay-Out Area Mapping for Robotic Work Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Defining stay-out areas within a work area for robotic work tools is time-consuming and requires significant user attention, especially when multiple stay-out areas are involved.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system that includes a boundary definition unit and a controller configured to receive position data and define stay-out areas centered at an offset from the received position data, allowing for efficient and accurate definition of stay-out areas without requiring the boundary definition unit to traverse the entire area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the walk-the-dog approach is used to define stay-out areas one by one, then the boundaries can be accurately defined, but the time required for installation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting and defining stay-out areas before the user needs to manually configure them. The robotic work tool proactively identifies features like trees, flower beds, and ponds using its sensors and autonomously creates the corresponding stay-out areas, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual definition while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic work tool serves itself by using its own navigation system and sensors to automatically define stay-out areas. Instead of requiring external user input for each stay-out area, the system independently detects obstacles and features in its environment and autonomously configures the work area boundaries, significantly reducing installation time while preserving definition accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple stay-out areas are defined manually, then complete coverage is achieved, but user attention and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic work tool autonomously detects and defines all stay-out areas within the work environment without requiring continuous user intervention. The system uses its sensors to identify multiple obstacles and features, automatically creates corresponding stay-out areas, and ensures complete coverage of the work space, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of defining stay-out areas with an automated sensing and detection system. The robotic work tool uses its navigation sensors, cameras, and obstacle detection capabilities to automatically identify and map all stay-out areas, substituting user manual configuration with automated environmental perception and processing.
3Measurement precision
If physical boundary wires are used to define work area boundaries, then clear boundaries are established, but installation becomes very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical boundary wires with a virtual boundary system based on satellite navigation and sensor detection. The robotic work tool uses GPS coordinates and environmental sensing to define work area boundaries and stay-out areas, eliminating the need for manual wire installation while maintaining clear and precise boundary definition through digital mapping and coordinate-based navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or representation of the physical work area boundaries and stay-out areas through satellite navigation coordinates and sensor data. Instead of using physical wires to mark boundaries, the system uses virtual boundaries stored as coordinate data, which the robotic work tool references for navigation and operation, achieving the same boundary-definition function without physical installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic work tool system (200) for defining a stay-out area (120) within a work area (150). The stay-out area (120) is an area which is to be excluded from the work area (150) in which a robotic work tool (100) is subsequently intended to operate. The robotic work tool system (200) comprises a boundary definition unit (130) comprising at least one position unit (175) configured to receive position data and at least one controller (110, 210). The controller (110, 210) is configured to receive a stay-out area definition trigger signal, which indicates that the boundary definition unit (130) has approached the stay-out area to be defined. The controller (110, 210) is further configured to receive, based on the received signal, position data indicating the present position of the boundary definition unit (130) from the position unit (175). The controller (110, 210) is further configured to define the stay-out area (120) as an area centered at an offset from the received position data.