UWB Pet Care Robot Tracking for Autonomous Pet Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pets left alone at home often experience anxiety and reduced physical activity, leading to potential health issues, and owners face discomfort in leaving their pets unsupervised.
Innovation Solution
A pet care system comprising a mobile robot and wearable device using Ultra-wideband communication to track the pet's location and movement, allowing the robot to autonomously follow and interact with the pet, providing stimulation and rewards, and a station for charging and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pet is left alone at home, then the owner has freedom to go out, but the pet's psychological stability and physical activity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot autonomously tracks the pet using UWB communication, follows the pet around the house, and provides interaction without requiring owner presence. The robot independently performs pet care functions including monitoring and engagement activities
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot acts as an intermediary between the owner and the pet, providing companionship and stimulation to the pet while the owner is away. The robot mediates the interaction by using communication circuits to receive commands from the owner's terminal and translate them into physical interactions with the pet
2Reliability
If the mobile robot follows the pet throughout the house, then the pet receives continuous attention, but the robot's battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active following mode and charging mode. The robot returns to the station periodically to recharge, allowing continuous operation over extended periods while managing energy consumption through structured charging intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously manages its own energy by automatically returning to the charging station when battery level is low, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates energy consumption by balancing active operation with recharging cycles
3Measurement precision
If the robot uses UWB communication for precise tracking, then the location accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot integrates multiple functions including UWB communication for tracking, obstacle detection sensors, audio output, and autonomous navigation within a single platform. The station also serves multiple purposes: charging the robot, storing snacks, and dispensing rewards, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively induces movement and improves both physical and mental health of pets when owners are absent, maintains pet interest, and allows for efficient pet care without user intervention, with easy maintenance of the robot.
Implementation Method 1
a first communication circuit configured to transmit a search signal through a first communication method and receive a response signal corresponding to the search signal from a wearable device
Implementation Method 2
a wearable device including a sensor configured to transmit a response signal through the first communication method in response to the search signal
Implementation Method 3
a power source including a battery, and the station may further include a charging circuit configured to charge the battery of the mobile robot
Data Source
AI summary
A pet care system includes a mobile robot comprising a first communication circuit configured to transmit a search signal through a first communication method and a second communication circuit configured to transmit event occurrence information through a second communication method different from the first communication method. The system includes a wearable device including a sensor configured to transmit a response signal through the first communication method in response to the search signal. The system includes a station comprising an operation dispenser configured to perform a predetermined operation based on the reception of the event occurrence information. The mobile robot further comprises a processor configured to determine a moving direction of the mobile robot based on the response signal received from the wearable device.