Serving Robot Navigation With Multi-Level Obstacle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Restaurants face challenges in using robots for service due to navigation difficulties posed by obstacles and spatial constraints, such as varying object dimensions and heights, which can lead to collision issues.

Innovation Solution

A robot equipped with multiple cameras for 360-degree obstacle detection, a processing unit to process point clouds and determine obstacle boundaries, and a navigation system that includes a laser device for surrounding detection, allowing it to safely navigate and service tables while supporting food and drinks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a robot is used for serving food and drinks in a restaurant, then service efficiency is improved, but navigation reliability deteriorates due to obstacles and spatial constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robot's body is divided into a bottom portion and a top portion, each equipped with separate cameras. This segmentation allows independent detection of obstacles at different heights, improving navigation reliability in complex restaurant environments with varied obstacle dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vertical dimension detection by placing cameras at different heights (bottom portion and top portion) rather than relying solely on horizontal detection. This multi-level detection approach enables the robot to perceive obstacles with varying heights and avoid collisions more effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If multiple cameras are installed for 360-degree detection, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each camera in the system serves multiple functions: the bottom camera detects low obstacles and the top camera detects high obstacles. Both cameras contribute to navigation, collision avoidance, and spatial mapping, making the system multi-functional despite having multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines data from multiple cameras (bottom portion camera and top portion camera) to create a comprehensive obstacle detection system. The processing unit merges information from both cameras to achieve 360-degree awareness, reducing the need for even more separate detection devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11279042B2Robots for serving food and/or drinks

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 BEAR ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

A robot includes: a base having a plurality of wheels; a motor system mechanically coupled to one or more of the wheels; a body having a bottom portion coupled above the base, and a top portion above the bottom portion; a support at the top portion, wherein the support is configured to withstand a temperature that is above 135° F.; and a processing unit configured to operate the robot.