Robot Interaction Control With Temperature-Gated User Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots designed to interact with users face increased power consumption when surface temperature control is constant, and turning temperature control on and off for energy saving results in the robot not warming up, thereby failing to provide comfort to the user.
Innovation Solution
A robot equipped with an acquisition unit to detect user presence and surface temperature, and an action control unit that instructs the robot to temporarily avoid interaction until it reaches a target temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the robot constantly controls surface temperature to maintain warmth for user comfort, then the user comfort is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary heating action before the user approaches, detecting user presence in advance and starting temperature control only when needed. This allows the robot to be warm when the user arrives without maintaining constant temperature, thereby reducing overall power consumption while ensuring user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot uses periodic temperature control by turning the heater on and off based on temperature thresholds and user presence detection. Instead of continuous operation, the heating element operates periodically to maintain warmth only when users are present, reducing energy consumption while preserving the warming function.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the robot turns temperature control on and off for energy saving, then the power consumption is reduced, but the robot cannot provide comfort to the user when not warmed up
Solution Approach 1:
The robot detects user presence in advance and initiates heating action before the user makes contact. This preliminary action ensures the robot is warmed up by the time the user approaches, providing comfort without requiring constant temperature maintenance, thus resolving the contradiction between energy saving and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot uses feedback from user presence detection and temperature sensors to dynamically control heating. When users are detected, the robot activates heating; when no users are present, it reduces or stops heating. This feedback-based control ensures the robot is warm when needed while saving energy when not in use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the robot waits to reach target temperature before interacting with users, then user comfort is improved, but the interaction time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary heating when it detects user presence, even before direct interaction begins. This advance preparation reduces the waiting time when actual interaction starts, ensuring the robot is already warming up or at target temperature, thus minimizing interaction delay while maintaining user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot dynamically adjusts its heating strategy based on real-time user presence detection and distance measurements. When users are detected approaching, the robot activates heating; when users are far away, it may delay or reduce heating. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between reaching target temperature and minimizing interaction delay.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique in which a robot interacts with a user in a warm state is provided. The robot includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on presence or approach of a user and information on a surface temperature of the robot; and an action control unit configured to instruct to perform an action that temporarily avoids interaction with the user in a case where the surface temperature of the robot does not reach a target temperature when the presence or approach of the user is detected.