Robotic Work Tool Obstacle Circumvention for Hidden Human Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic work tools, such as lawnmowers, can startle humans or animals and pose a perceived risk when operating in areas where they may encounter obstacles, as existing systems lack effective methods to detect and respond to obstacles that could obscure individuals or animals, leading to potential startling or injury.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system equipped with an obstacle sensor and a controller that detects obstacles, determines their dimensions, and if they exceed a threshold size, circumvents them while maintaining a safety distance, and takes evasive action if a human or animal is detected behind the obstacle, ensuring safe operation and minimizing startling risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robotic work tool operates in an operational area without advanced obstacle detection, then it can maintain simple operation and lower device complexity, but it may startle humans or animals and pose a risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection process is segmented into multiple stages: initial obstacle detection, dimension determination, threshold comparison, and conditional response execution. This segmentation allows the system to process information in manageable steps, improving safety without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles and their dimensions before executing any movement or work action. By determining whether an obstacle exceeds the threshold size in advance, the robotic work tool can prepare appropriate safety responses, enhancing reliability through proactive hazard assessment
2Reliability
If the robotic work tool maintains a simple operation mode, then it can ensure ease of operation, but it lacks the capability to detect and respond to obstacles that could obscure individuals or animals
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic work tool autonomously performs obstacle detection, dimension analysis, and safety decision-making without requiring human intervention. The system self-monitors its operational environment and automatically adjusts its behavior based on detected obstacles, maintaining ease of operation while enhancing safety through autonomous intelligence
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational area for obstacles and uses the detection feedback to dynamically adjust its operation. When an obstacle exceeding the threshold size is detected, the system receives feedback about the hazardous condition and automatically modifies its behavior to avoid potential harm, ensuring safety without complicating user interaction
3Productivity
If the robotic work tool approaches obstacles closely, then it can maintain high productivity, but it may come too close to humans or animals and cause startling or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes its operational parameters based on obstacle characteristics. When an obstacle is detected to exceed the threshold size, the system adjusts its approach distance parameter to maintain a safe separation, preventing startling or injury while minimizing impact on productivity through intelligent parameter adaptation
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic work tool employs dynamic behavior adjustment based on real-time obstacle detection. Rather than maintaining a fixed approach distance, the system dynamically modifies its movement patterns and safety margins according to the presence and characteristics of obstacles, enabling flexible operation that balances productivity with safety
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100) arranged to operate in an operational area (205) wherein the robotic work tool comprises an obstacle sensor (185) and a controller (110) configured to receive (410) sensor input from the obstacle sensor (185), detect (415) an obstacle (H) and determine (420) a dimension (W) of the obstacle (H), determine (425) whether the dimension exceeds a threshold size, and if so circumvent (430) the obstacle (H) while maintaining a safety distance (D) to the obstacle (H), determine (435) that there is a human behind the obstacle (H) and if so take (440) evasive action.