Warehouse Robot Control for Shared Storage Position Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

In warehousing and logistics systems, the proximity of robots and users near temporary storage shelving units poses a safety risk due to potential collisions, leading to personal injury and poor safety.

Innovation Solution

A robot control method and system that determines the storage position of a user's operation and controls the robot to avoid performing operations at the same position simultaneously, using detection devices like pressure sensors, laser radar, infrared sensors, or visual acquisition devices to identify user presence and proximity, and adjusting robot operations to prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the robot performs operations near the temporary storage shelving unit to improve goods sorting efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the robot may come into contact with the user causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods sorting efficiencyVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A detection device is introduced as an intermediary between the robot and the user to monitor the user's presence and operation status. The detection device acquires detection information about the user's position and arm movements, and the control device uses this information to control the robot's operations, preventing direct contact while maintaining efficient goods sorting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the detection device continuously monitors the user's position and operation status, sends detection information to the control device, which then adjusts the robot's operations in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures the robot stops or avoids operations when the user is present, maintaining safety without significantly reducing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the robot is controlled to avoid operations at the same position as the user to improve safety, then reliability is improved, but the robot cannot perform operations efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation safetyVSAvoidoperation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot's operation status is made dynamic rather than static. The control device adjusts the robot's operations in real-time based on the user's presence and detection information. When the user is not present, the robot operates efficiently; when the user is detected, the robot dynamically adjusts its operations to avoid contact, thus maintaining both safety and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection device acquires detection information about the user's position and operation status before the robot performs operations. This preliminary detection allows the control device to plan and execute robot operations that avoid user presence from the outset, preventing safety issues while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Reduces the likelihood of robot-user contact, enhancing safety and maintaining efficient goods sorting/selection processes by ensuring the robot avoids the same storage positions as the user, thereby minimizing injuries and improving operational safety.

Implementation Method 1

detection devices like pressure sensors, laser radar, infrared sensors, or visual acquisition devices to identify user presence and proximity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensor detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

detection devices like pressure sensors, laser radar, infrared sensors, or visual acquisition devices to identify user presence and proximity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser radar detection: LIDAR

Implementation Method 3

detection devices like pressure sensors, laser radar, infrared sensors, or visual acquisition devices to identify user presence and proximity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4194153B1Method, apparatus and system for controlling robot, control device, and robot
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HAI ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP4194153B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4194153B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4194153B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a robot control method, apparatus, and system, a control device, and a robot. The method includes: determining a storage position or a temporary storage shelving unit at which a user performs an operation; and controlling an operation of a robot according to the storage position or the temporary storage shelving unit at which the user performs the operation, so that the robot avoids performing an operation at the same storage position simultaneously with the user. According to the robot control method, apparatus, and system, the control device, and the robot provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, cases that a robot comes into contact with a user can be reduced, thereby reducing injury caused by a robot to a user to some extent, and effectively improving operation safety. In addition, goods sorting/selection efficiency can also be ensured.