Service Robot Plan Recovery With Obstacle Skipping and Return
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic systems are designed for specific tasks, leading to high costs and inefficiency due to their specialized nature, lacking a versatile platform capable of performing a wide variety of tasks in planar environments.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable robotic platform equipped with interchangeable service modules and sensors, such as LIDAR and stereoscopic imaging, that can autonomously or interactively perform maintenance and surveillance tasks by navigating through a service area using a stored service plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robotic systems are designed for specific tasks, then task performance reliability is improved, but system versatility deteriorates and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal robotic platform that can perform multiple cleaning tasks through interchangeable service modules. The base robot remains the same while different modules (e.g., vacuuming module, mopping module, polishing module) can be attached to handle various cleaning requirements, thus achieving multi-functionality without sacrificing task performance reliability for any specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system is divided into a base platform and separate interchangeable service modules. This segmentation allows the robot to be reconfigured for different tasks by swapping modules, resolving the contradiction between reliability for specific tasks and overall system versatility. Each module is optimized for its specific function while sharing the common base platform.
2Reliability
If multiple specialized robotic systems are deployed for different tasks, then task-specific performance is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple specialized robotic functions into a single unified platform through the use of interchangeable service modules. Instead of deploying separate robots for vacuuming, mopping, and polishing, the system combines all these functions into one robot that can switch between modules, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining task-specific performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal robot platform is designed to replace multiple specialized robots. The platform maintains task-specific performance through dedicated service modules while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate robotic systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single robotic platform performs multiple tasks, then versatility is improved and costs are reduced, but task performance reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments cleaning functions into specialized service modules that attach to a universal base platform. Each module is optimized for its specific task (vacuuming, mopping, polishing), ensuring high task performance reliability while the platform itself achieves versatility through module interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have specialized qualities - the base platform provides universal navigation and control, while each service module provides task-specific cleaning capabilities. This local quality optimization ensures that each task is performed with dedicated, high-quality components while maintaining overall system versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the robotic platform to efficiently adapt to different tasks and environments by switching service modules and utilizing various sensors, enhancing its ability to perform multiple functions with a single platform, thereby reducing costs and increasing versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The positioning mechanism may comprise a LIDAR system
Implementation Method 2
Sensing the environment may comprise utilizing a stereoscopic image
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for a reconfigurable robotic platform through a plurality of interchangeable service modules and adapted to engage in both autonomous and interactive maintenance and monitoring of a service area, the robotic platform configured to execute a stored service plan for the service area, the service plan comprising a service plan sequence comprising a service treatment step, alter the service plan sequence based on detecting an object that is a treatment obstacle in the service area as detected by the sensor, the treatment obstacle preventing execution of the service treatment step at a service treatment location within the service area, wherein the altered service plan sequence comprises moving around the treatment obstacle and skipping the service treatment step, store the service treatment location for later treatment, and resume execution of the service plan.