Sensor-Fusion Debris Relocation Robot for Hazardous Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human-labor powered technologies for debris clearing in hazardous environments, such as post-disaster or combat zones, pose significant risks to workers and are inefficient, with challenges including non-uniform terrain, hazardous materials, and scarce worker availability.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous object relocation robot system comprising a self-propelled vehicle with gripper assemblies, a sensor package, and a processor that uses visual, LIDAR, acoustic, and load cell data to identify and manipulate objects, enabling efficient debris clearing and path creation for rescue efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human-labor powered technologies are used for debris clearing, then workers can perform rescue and recovery tasks, but workers face significant physical and mental hazards including exposure to toxic chemicals, live electrical wires, and unstable terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human-operated mechanical systems with autonomous robotic systems equipped with sensors, processors, and manipulators. The robotic system autonomously navigates hazardous terrain, identifies objects using sensor fusion (LIDAR, visual cameras, acoustic sensors), and manipulates debris without human exposure to toxic chemicals, live wires, and unstable ground conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between human operators and hazardous environments. It enables rescue and recovery tasks to be performed in dangerous zones by physically separating human workers from direct exposure to hazards while maintaining operational capability through autonomous navigation and object manipulation.
2Productivity
If heavy machinery is used for debris clearing, then large volumes of debris can be moved, but the machinery encounters non-uniform terrain, fallen trees, boulders, and mudslides that hinder advancement
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system employs dynamic, reconfigurable manipulators with multiple degrees of freedom that can adapt to various object sizes, shapes, and weights. The tracked vehicle platform provides dynamic mobility over non-uniform terrain, and the sensor suite continuously updates the system's understanding of the environment to adjust navigation and manipulation strategies in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: autonomous navigation over diverse terrain, multi-sensor object detection and classification, variable gripper configurations for different object types, and on-board storage. This multi-functional design allows the same system to handle various debris types and terrain conditions without requiring specialized equipment for each scenario.
3Productivity
If automated robotic systems are deployed to increase debris clearing speed, then worker safety improves and response time decreases, but the system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor package (LIDAR, visual cameras, acoustic sensors), processing unit with trained models for object identification, navigation module for path planning, and manipulator control system. This modular architecture simplifies coordination by allowing each module to operate semi-independently while communicating through standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled device is disclosed to recognize objects, possess objects, and transport objects to a new location. A method is disclosed to use the device to transport objects in environments dangerous to humans. Other example embodiments are described and claimed.