Robotic Work Tool Path Variation in Transit Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic work tools create permanent trails when using a defined travel path repeatedly, which is undesirable as it can destroy the area and make navigation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A robotic work tool system that includes a memory to store information about a transit zone and a controller to generate different travel paths within that zone, avoiding repeated use of the same path and allowing the tool to operate autonomously while avoiding obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a defined travel path is used repeatedly by robotic work tools, then autonomous operation and obstacle avoidance are improved, but permanent trails are created that destroy the area and make navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically generates different travel paths within a defined transit zone for each transportation task. Instead of using a fixed, repeated path, the controller creates varied paths that adapt to each specific task instance, preventing trail formation while maintaining autonomous operation and obstacle avoidance capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the travel path (position, shape, route) within the transit zone for each transportation task. By varying these parameters, the robotic work tool takes different routes between the same start and goal points, preventing permanent trail formation while preserving autonomous navigation
2Reliability
If multiple robotic work tools use the same defined travel path, then coordination and obstacle avoidance are improved, but trail formation is accelerated and area destruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the transit zone into multiple possible travel paths that robotic work tools can use. Instead of all tools using the same path, the zone is divided into alternative routes, reducing trail formation while maintaining coordination and reliability through controlled path selection
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns different travel paths to multiple robotic work tools within the transit zone. This dynamic path allocation maintains coordination and reliability by managing tool interactions while preventing accelerated trail formation that would occur if all tools used the same fixed path
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic work tool system (200) for avoiding trails from a robotic work tool (100) in a transit zone (300) in which the robotic work tool (100) is allowed to travel from a start point (320) to a goal point (330) along a travel path (310). The system (200) comprises at least one memory (120,220) configured to store information about the transit zone (300), at least one robotic work tool (100) configured to travel along the travel path (310) and at least one controller (110,210) for controlling operation of the robotic work tool (100). The controller (110,210) is configured to receive, from the memory (120,220), information about the transit zone (300) and generate, based on the transit zone (300), the travel path (310) for the robotic work tool (100) from the start point (320) to the goal point (330). The generated travel path (310) is configured to differ from previously generated travel paths.