Robotic Vehicle Collision Management via Rotor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic vehicles often face unavoidable collisions due to detection delays or unpredictable environmental factors, leading to potential damage to people, animals, and objects, as well as the vehicles themselves, with spinning propellers causing significant harm in such incidents.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a processor-based system in robotic vehicles to detect imminent collisions, classify objects, and dynamically manage rotor rotation by stopping or maintaining rotor operation based on object classification, flight parameters, and collision severity to minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collision avoidance maneuvers are executed using typical sensor detection and control systems, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but response time is insufficient due to physical constraints requiring space and time to execute maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of detected objects into categories (e.g., human, animal, inanimate object) before a collision becomes imminent. This advance categorization allows the control system to pre-determine the appropriate response strategy, eliminating delays that would occur from real-time analysis during a critical collision event.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts rotor management strategies based on object classification. Different classification categories trigger different response protocols, allowing the system to optimize its response time and maneuver selection according to the specific situation, rather than using a uniform response time for all detected objects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rotor rotation is stopped prior to unavoidable collision to minimize damage to people and objects, then safety of external objects is improved, but damage to the robotic vehicle itself increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different rotor management strategies to different rotors based on local conditions. Individual rotors may be stopped or maintained at different rotational states depending on the classification of the object being approached and the specific collision trajectory, optimizing the balance between external safety and vehicle protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes rotor operational parameters (rotation speed, stop sequence) based on object classification. For vulnerable objects like humans or animals, rotors are stopped prior to collision to minimize harm. For more robust objects, rotors may be maintained at operational speeds to protect the vehicle from damage.
3Strength
If rotor rotation is maintained prior to unavoidable collision to protect the robotic vehicle, then vehicle integrity is improved, but harm to people and animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by stopping rotor rotation before collision when vulnerable objects (humans, animals) are detected. This preemptive measure counteracts the potential harmful effect of spinning rotors contacting vulnerable beings, prioritizing their safety over vehicle integrity in classified high-risk scenarios.
4Measurement precision
If object classification and consequence determination are performed in real-time, then collision response accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs object classification and consequence determination as preliminary actions before collision becomes imminent. By completing these computationally intensive tasks in advance, the system avoids real-time processing delays during critical moments and enables rapid execution of predetermined response strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include devices and methods operating a robotic vehicle. A robotic vehicle processor may detect an object posing an imminent risk of collision with the robotic vehicle. The robotic vehicle processor may determine a classification of the detected object. The robotic vehicle processor may manage a rotation of a rotor of the robotic vehicle prior to a collision based on the classification of the object.