Tele-Operated Robot Navigation Using UAV Obstacle Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tele-operated robots lack efficient methods for navigating and maintaining outdoor properties, particularly in complex terrains with obstacles, leading to increased labor hours and time spent on maintenance tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to obtain aerial images, which are processed at a control center to classify areas as autonomously navigable or requiring human intervention, and determines a schedule to minimize labor hours and total time spent on property maintenance, while also enabling obstacle avoidance by estimating alternate paths using UAV-provided data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If tele-operated robots are used for outdoor property maintenance in complex terrains, then automation capability is improved, but navigation difficulty increases due to obstacles and complex terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aerial vehicle as an intermediary component that captures aerial images of the property. These images are processed to generate simplified navigation data that guides the ground-based tele-operated robot. This intermediary system bridges the gap between complex terrain and automated navigation by providing the robot with pre-processed path information, reducing its navigation difficulty while maintaining automation capability.
2Productivity
If tele-operated robots autonomously navigate properties, then labor hours are reduced, but time for obstacle detection and path planning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing aerial images of the entire property before the robot begins maintenance tasks. These images are processed to identify obstacles and plan navigation paths in advance. This pre-processing of environmental data allows the robot to autonomously navigate efficiently during maintenance operations, reducing both labor hours and real-time decision-making time.
3Extent of automation
If more autonomous navigation is implemented, then human oversight is reduced, but reliability of operation decreases due to unknown obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level robot sensors to aerial-dimensional imaging for obstacle detection. By capturing images from an aerial perspective, the system gains a broader view of the property environment, enabling more reliable identification of obstacles and navigation paths. This dimensional change in observation provides comprehensive environmental data that enhances autonomous navigation reliability while reducing human oversight.
Data Source
AI summary
The system, devices and methods herein enable autonomous and tele-operation of tele-operated robots for maintenance of a property around known and unknown obstacles. A method may include using an unmanned aerial vehicle for obtaining additional data relating to the property and obstacles within the property and plan a path around the obstacles using data from sensors on-board the tele-operated robot and the aerial image. A method may also provide optimization of total time needed for performing the property maintenance and the labor costs in situations where manual intervention is needed for navigating the tele-operated robot around obstacles on the property or for removing obstacles on the property.