Telepresence Robot Shared Control for Natural Group Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telexistence technology creates a psychological gap in communication between remote and local users due to an individual-to-group relationship, leading to a psychological burden and interference with natural communication.
Innovation Solution
A robot system capable of being possessed by multiple remote users, featuring a 360-degree display and camera, 360-degree microphone, and directional speakers, along with a control unit that constructs a shared information space, allowing multiple remote users to communicate naturally and continuously with local users through visual and auditory means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one robot is possessed by one remote user, then individual control precision is improved, but psychological burden increases and communication becomes unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple remote users into a single shared control session for one robot. Instead of individual possession, multiple users can simultaneously operate the same robot, creating a shared experience that reduces psychological burden while maintaining control precision through collaborative interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that manages multiple remote users' access to a single robot. This intermediary coordinates user inputs, manages turn-taking or simultaneous control, and creates a shared virtual presence, thereby reducing the psychological burden of individual isolation while preserving control precision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple remote users possess one robot, then psychological burden is reduced and communication becomes natural, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions of the robot into distinct modules that can be independently assigned to different remote users. This allows multiple users to possess and control different aspects of the robot simultaneously, reducing psychological burden while managing control complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control interface that can serve multiple remote users simultaneously. This multi-functional control system allows different users to interact with the same robot through a unified interface, reducing psychological burden while managing complexity through standardized universal controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional telexistence technology is used, then individual-to-group communication is achieved, but group-to-group communication is lost creating psychological gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple remote users into a cohesive group that collectively possesses a robot, enabling group-to-group communication. This merging creates shared experiences and collective presence, reducing psychological gaps while maintaining communication flexibility through unified group interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that facilitates group-to-group communication by managing the collective presence of multiple remote users. This intermediary creates shared virtual spaces and coordinated interaction mechanisms, preserving psychological connection while maintaining adaptability in communication patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a display, a camera, a communication interface, a moving mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit includes a movement control unit, a remote video image processing unit, and a local video image processing unit. The movement control unit controls the moving mechanism to move the robot. The remote video image processing unit acquires a remote video image including video images representing a plurality of remote users located at sites different from the current location of the robot from an external network via a communication interface, and displays the acquired remote video image on the display. The local video image processing unit transmits a local video image, which is a video image captured by the camera, to the external network via the communication interface to cause the plurality of remote users to view the local video image.