Robotic System Testing in Blended Physical-Virtual Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing environments for robotic systems are inadequate in simulating realistic scenarios, particularly in unstructured environments, as they fail to accurately replicate sensor signals and human behaviors, leading to insufficient validation of safety and performance before deployment.
Innovation Solution
Integration of physical and virtual test environments allows for the creation of a blended testing space where robotic systems interact with both real and virtual elements, enabling more comprehensive and realistic simulations of complex scenarios, including human-robot interactions and dynamic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If testing is performed in a purely virtual simulation environment, then the ability to test diverse scenarios is improved, but the accuracy and realism of sensor signals and robot behavior are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines virtual simulation environments with physical test environments into an integrated testing system. The physical environment includes real robotic systems and sensors that generate authentic sensor signals, while the virtual environment provides diverse test scenarios. This merging allows the system to maintain measurement precision through real sensors while achieving adaptability through virtual scenario generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a physical intermediary environment that bridges the gap between purely virtual and purely physical testing. This intermediate physical environment contains real robotic systems and sensors that can be controlled by virtual scenarios, serving as a mediator that provides authentic sensor signals while enabling diverse test cases through virtual coordination.
2Measurement precision
If testing is performed in a real physical environment, then the realism of sensor signals and robot behavior is improved, but the ability to test diverse and controlled scenarios is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the physical test environment dynamic by allowing virtual scenarios to control and coordinate physical robotic systems in real-time. The system can dynamically switch between different test scenarios, adjust environmental conditions, and reconfigure physical setups without requiring physical reconfiguration, thereby achieving both realism and scenario diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated testing system serves multiple functions: it provides authentic sensor signals from physical systems, enables diverse virtual test scenarios, and allows coordination between the two. This multi-functionality allows a single system to replace both purely virtual and purely physical testing approaches, achieving both measurement precision and adaptability.
3Reliability
If extensive testing is performed to ensure safety, then safety assurance is improved, but the time and resources required are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary testing in the integrated physical-virtual environment before deploying robotic systems to real-world applications. By conducting extensive safety testing in advance using the coordinated virtual-physical system, the need for prolonged testing in actual deployment environments is reduced, saving time and resources while maintaining high safety assurance.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for testing robotic systems in an environment blending both physical and virtual test environments are presented herein. A realistic, three dimensional physical environment for testing and evaluating a robotic system is augmented with simulated, virtual elements. In this manner, robotic systems, humans, and other machines dynamically interact with both real and virtual elements. In one aspect, a model of a physical test environment and a model of a virtual test environment are combined, and signals indicative of a state of the combined model are employed to control a robotic system. In a further aspect, a mobile robot present in a physical test environment is commanded to emulate movements of a virtual robot under control. In another further aspect, images of the virtual robot under control are projected onto the physical test environment to provide a visual representation of the presence and action taken by the virtual robot.