Smart sanitation robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitation robots lack intelligence to dynamically identify high-risk objects and adapt cleaning routines, leading to ineffective germ reduction in workspaces.

Innovation Solution

A sanitation system that uses sensor data and machine learning to identify high-risk objects, estimate sanitation scores, and dynamically update cleaning schedules to prioritize and optimize cleaning tasks based on real-time observations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sanitation robots use predefined cleaning routines with limited intelligence, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the effectiveness of germ reduction deteriorates because high-contact surfaces cannot be dynamically identified and prioritized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of germ reductionVSAvoidcleaning system intelligence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where sensor data from the workspace is continuously collected, processed by machine learning models to identify high-risk objects, and used to dynamically update cleaning schedules. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the robot to adapt its cleaning behavior based on real-time observations of workspace conditions, object usage patterns, and contamination risks, thereby improving germ reduction effectiveness without requiring overly complex manual programming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sanitation system performs self-service through autonomous operation where the robot independently navigates the workspace, identifies cleaning targets using onboard sensors and machine learning algorithms, determines cleaning priorities based on observed object usage, and executes cleaning tasks without human intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to dynamically adapt to workspace conditions while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If sanitation robots follow fixed cleaning routes, then the ease of operation is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates because cleaning time is not optimized based on actual contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiddynamic scheduling system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning schedule is made dynamic through continuous updates based on machine learning analysis of sensor data. The system observes object usage patterns, identifies high-contact surfaces, and adjusts cleaning priorities and routes in real-time. This dynamic scheduling allows the robot to focus cleaning efforts on areas with highest contamination risk, thereby improving cleaning efficiency without requiring excessive system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as cleaning route, cleaning frequency, and cleaning priority based on analyzed workspace data. Machine learning models process sensor information to determine optimal cleaning parameters for different objects and areas, allowing the robot to adapt its cleaning behavior dynamically. This parameter adjustment capability improves productivity by directing cleaning resources to high-risk areas while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4197416B1Smart sanitation robot
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 INTEL CORP
  • EP4197416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4197416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4197416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods of a sanitation system for intelligently adapting the cleaning operations of a sanitation robot. The sanitation system detects a plurality of objects in a workspace and then, for each detected object of the plurality of objects, determines a sanitation score for the detected object based on observations of the detected object over a time period. The sanitation system generates a cleaning schedule based on the sanitation score for each detected object, wherein the cleaning schedule comprises instructions for a sanitation robot to clean the plurality of objects.