Vision-Based Virtual Barriers for Mobile Robot Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of fixed guardrails around robots is inconvenient and impractical for mobile robots that need to move between different production equipment, leading to potential safety hazards due to the absence of physical barriers.
Innovation Solution
A robot system equipped with a vision device that includes an imaging, partition, and recognition module to create virtual barrier areas, allowing the system to recognize human presence and control the robot's operation accordingly, thereby eliminating the need for physical guardrails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed guardrails are set up around the robot, then safety is improved, but mobility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical guardrail system with a vision-based virtual barrier system. The imaging module captures real-time video images, the partition module divides the workspace into restricted and non-restricted areas, and the control module stops the robot when detecting intrusion into the restricted area, thereby maintaining safety without physical barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the guardrail barrier in the digital/image space rather than using physical barriers. The partition module generates a virtual barrier area based on video image processing, which replicates the safety function of physical guardrails without the physical constraints
2Reliability
If fixed guardrails are set up around the robot, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic virtual barrier system that can be adjusted and repositioned through software control rather than requiring physical reinstallation of guardrails. The partition module can dynamically define restricted areas based on real-time operational needs, making the system adaptable and convenient to operate
3Adaptability or versatility
If no guardrails are used for mobile robots, then mobility is improved, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical guardrails with a vision-based detection and control system that provides safety for mobile robots. The imaging module continuously monitors the workspace, and the control module enforces safety boundaries through software control, enabling mobile robots to operate safely without physical guardrails
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system includes a robot and a vision device. The vision device includes an imaging module, a partition module, a recognition module, and a control module. The imaging module captures a real-time video image of a work site of the robot. The partition module divides the captured video image into a plurality of different areas. The recognition module recognizes whether a person has entered the plurality of different areas. The control module communicates with the robot and controls the robot based on a recognition result of the recognition module. The plurality of different areas includes a first virtual barrier area surrounding the robot. When the recognition module recognizes that a person has entered the first virtual barrier area the control module sends a stop operation control instruction to the robot, stopping the robot immediately.