Virtual Rail Robot Cruise Using Digital Maps for Flexible Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail-based cruise methods for mobile robots require costly and inflexible installations of physical rails or auxiliary devices, making it inconvenient to change routes as these need to be re-laid or reinstalled.
Innovation Solution
A virtual rail-based cruise method using digital maps and localization equipment like laser sensors or UWB tags, which allows for path planning and control of robots without physical rails, enabling flexible route changes by re-planning virtual rails on digital maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical rails or auxiliary devices are installed for rail-based cruise, then the robot can achieve reliable trajectory following, but the cost increases and flexibility decreases when route changes are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual markers (circles with internal patterns) as virtual copies of physical rails. These markers are captured by the robot's camera and processed to generate trajectory points, replacing the need for actual physical rails while maintaining reliable trajectory following capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rail system with a visual-based navigation system. Instead of physical contact with rails, the robot uses image processing to detect marker positions and calculate trajectory points, substituting mechanical guidance with optical and computational methods
2Reliability
If physical rails are laid for robot cruise, then stable navigation is achieved, but the installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual representations of navigation paths using visual markers that can be easily placed in the environment. These markers serve as lightweight copies of physical rails, providing stable navigation references without the high installation cost and time requirements of actual rails
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive visual markers (printed circles with patterns) instead of expensive physical rails. These markers can be easily manufactured and deployed, and can be quickly changed or removed without significant cost or time investment
3Reliability
If auxiliary devices like laser reflectors are installed for cruise guidance, then the robot can follow preset trajectories, but the system becomes costly and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex auxiliary devices with simple visual markers that can be detected by the robot's existing camera. The markers contain encoded trajectory information that the robot can process to determine its path, eliminating the need for additional specialized hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the robot's camera serve multiple functions: it is used for both general environment perception and for detecting trajectory markers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary detection devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining trajectory following accuracy
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
This approach reduces costs and enhances flexibility by allowing robots to navigate virtual rails without physical infrastructure, enabling smooth and efficient movement along planned paths with reduced glitches and unsmoothness.
Implementation Method 1
laser sensors or UWB tags
Implementation Method 2
laser sensors or UWB tags
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a virtual rail based cruise method as well as an apparatus and a robot using the same. The method includes: obtaining a digital map including a virtual rail; performing a path planning based on the virtual rail, a current position of the robot, and a cruise end point to obtain a cruise path; and obtaining parameter(s) of the robot by calculating through a preset path tracking algorithm based on the cruise path and the current position of the robot, and controlling the robot based on the control parameter(s). In this manner, the problems of the prior art that needs to lay a rail or set an auxiliary device which causes high cost and inconvenience in usage as well as the rail needs to be re-laid or the auxiliary device needs to be reinstalled when the route is to be changed can be solved.