Transferable Robot Control Module for Reusable Intelligence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and redundancy of control electronics and sensors in robotic devices lead to increased expenses for consumers and manufacturers, as well as limited modularity and upgrade capabilities, resulting in higher support costs and limited technology transfer across different robotic products.
Innovation Solution
A Transferable Intelligent Control Device (TICD) is introduced, which is a modular intelligent device that uses a platform architecture and communication protocol to interface with various robotic devices, allowing for the reuse of control electronics and software across multiple devices, enabling modularity and the transfer of intelligence and functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each robotic device includes its own control electronics and sensors, then the device can operate independently, but the cost of the robotic device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two segments: a reusable Transferable Intelligent Control Device (TICD) that contains the control electronics and sensors, and a simpler robotic body that performs specific tasks. This segmentation allows the expensive control components to be separated from the task-specific hardware, reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining independent operation capability through the TICD's autonomous functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The TICD is designed as a universal control platform that can interface with multiple different types of robotic devices through standardized protocols. This multi-functionality allows a single TICD unit to control various robotic bodies (vacuum cleaners, mopping devices, etc.), eliminating the need for each device to have its own dedicated control electronics and sensors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If consumers purchase separate robotic devices for each task, then each device is optimized for its specific function, but the total cost increases due to redundant control electronics and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The TICD serves as a universal control platform that can be attached to different robotic bodies designed for specific tasks (vacuuming, mopping, etc.). Each robotic body remains optimized for its function while sharing the same TICD, allowing consumers to use one TICD across multiple task-specific devices and reducing the total cost of ownership by eliminating redundant control electronics and sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
When a consumer needs a new robotic device for a different task, they can discard or return the old robotic body while retaining and reusing the TICD. The TICD is recovered and attached to the new robotic body, allowing the expensive control components to be reused across multiple devices and tasks, significantly reducing the total cost of ownership.
3Device complexity
If robotic devices use integrated control electronics and sensors, then the device functions as a complete unit, but replacement and upgrade costs are high when the device malfunctions or needs improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the control electronics and sensors into a distinct TICD module that can be independently replaced or upgraded without affecting the robotic body. This segmentation allows consumers to replace only the TICD when it malfunctions or needs upgrading, rather than replacing the entire robotic device, significantly reducing replacement and upgrade costs while maintaining integrated unit functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The TICD is extracted as a separate, removable component from the robotic body. This extraction allows the control electronics and sensors to be taken out and replaced independently when needed, enabling easier repair and upgrading without requiring replacement of the entire robotic device, thereby reducing replacement costs while maintaining complete unit functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If each robotic device has custom control electronics and software, then the device can be optimized for its specific task, but technology advances cannot be easily transferred to other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The TICD is designed as a universal platform with standardized interfaces and communication protocols that work across different robotic devices. This universality allows technology advances, software updates, and new features developed for one device to be easily transferred and implemented on other devices using the same TICD, while each robotic body maintains its task-specific optimization through compatible hardware interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.