17982689. ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM simplified abstract (TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

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ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Organization Name

TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Inventor(s)

Yuta Watanabe of Toyota-shi Aichi-ken (JP)

Shiro Oda of Toyota-shi Aichi-ken (JP)

Kei Yoshikawa of Nagoya-shi Aichi-ken (JP)

Yukinori Kurahashi of Toyota-shi Aichi-ken (JP)

ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17982689 titled 'ROBOT CONTROL SYSTEM, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a robot control system that controls a mobile robot using a map and range sensor data. The system acquires the distance to a nearby object using a range sensor and specifies its position on the map. It estimates the movement vector of the nearby object based on the change in distance. The system adds a cost to restrict the movement of the mobile robot on the map and updates it based on the range sensor measurements. The control system ensures that the mobile robot moves according to the updated cost.

  • The robot control system controls a mobile robot that autonomously moves using a map.
  • It acquires the distance to a nearby object using a range sensor.
  • The system specifies the position of the nearby object on the map based on the distance.
  • It estimates the movement vector of the nearby object, indicating its speed and direction, based on the change in distance.
  • The control system adds a cost to restrict the movement of the mobile robot on the map.
  • It performs control so that the mobile robot moves according to the updated cost based on the range sensor measurements.

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in various fields where autonomous mobile robots are used, such as:

  • Warehouse automation: The robot control system can help in navigating robots in a warehouse environment, avoiding obstacles and optimizing movement paths.
  • Healthcare: Mobile robots can be used in hospitals to transport supplies or assist in patient care. The control system ensures safe and efficient movement in a dynamic environment.
  • Manufacturing: Autonomous robots can be employed in manufacturing facilities for tasks like material handling or assembly. The control system enables precise and obstacle-free movement.

Problems Solved

The robot control system addresses several challenges faced in controlling mobile robots:

  • Obstacle avoidance: By using range sensor data, the system can detect nearby objects and calculate their positions on the map, allowing the robot to avoid collisions.
  • Path planning: The control system adds a cost to restrict movement, enabling the robot to follow predefined paths or avoid certain areas.
  • Dynamic environment: The system estimates the movement vector of nearby objects, allowing the robot to adapt its movement accordingly and navigate safely in a changing environment.

Benefits

The use of this robot control system offers several benefits:

  • Improved safety: By considering the distance to nearby objects and updating the cost for movement, the system ensures that the robot avoids collisions and operates safely.
  • Efficient navigation: The control system optimizes the movement of the mobile robot by adding costs to restrict unnecessary or inefficient paths, leading to improved efficiency and productivity.
  • Adaptability: The system estimates the movement vector of nearby objects, allowing the robot to adjust its movement in real-time and navigate effectively in a dynamic environment.


Original Abstract Submitted

A robot control system according to an embodiment is configured to control a mobile robot configured to autonomously move by referring to a map, the robot control system being further configured to: acquire a distance to a nearby object measured by using a range sensor; specify a position of the nearby object on the map according to the distance from a position of the mobile robot to the nearby object; estimate a movement vector indicating a moving speed and a moving direction of the nearby object according to a change in the distance to the nearby object; add a cost for restricting a movement of the mobile robot on the map; and perform control so that the mobile robot moves according to the cost updated according to a result of measurement by the range sensor.