Abstract:
A method for controlling at least one autonomous mobile robot, wherein the at least one robot is designed to navigate within a functional area on the basis of a map of said functional area, and to perform at least one task autonomously in the functional area. The method involves: receiving a job request which contains instructions for carrying out at least one task in the functional area, automatically dividing the job request into at least two sub-tasks, and automatically determining a sequence in which said sub-tasks are to be processed by the at least one robot, the job request being fully completed once all sub-tasks have been processed.
Abstract:
An exemplary embodiment relates to a method for an autonomous mobile robot for the new exploration of an area already listed in a map of the robot. According to one example, the method comprises storing a map of a deployment area of an autonomous mobile robot, wherein the map contains orientation information, which represents the structure of the surroundings in the deployment area, and also meta information. The method further comprises receiving a command via a communication unit of the robot, which causes the robot to start a new exploration of at least a part of the deployment area. The robot then explores again the at least one part of the deployment area, wherein the robot detects information regarding the structure of its surroundings in the deployment area by means of a sensor. The method further comprises updating the map of the deployment area and storing the updated map for use in the robot navigation during a plurality of future robot interventions. The aforementioned update comprises determining changes in the deployment area based on the information recorded during the exploration about the structure of the surroundings and the orientation information already stored in the map, and updating the orientation information and the meta information based on the determined changes.
Abstract:
A method for exploration of a robot operating zone by an autonomous mobile robot. The method involves the starting of an exploration run, wherein the robot during the exploration run detects objects in its environment and stores detected objects as map data in a map, while the robot moves through the robot operating zone. During the exploration run, the robot carries out a partial region detection based on the stored map data, wherein at least one reference partial region is detected. The robot repeats the partial region detection in order to update the reference partial region and again checks whether the (updated) reference partial region has been fully explored. The exploration of the reference partial region is continued until the check reveals that the reference partial region has been fully explored.
Abstract:
A mobile, self-propelling robot for carrying out activities autonomously is described. The robot can include a drive module for moving the robot over the floor surface, a processing module, a navigation module that navigates based on a map of the surroundings. The robot can also include a sensor module for sensing information relating to the structure of the surroundings, an analysis unit designed to determine the surface processed during a processing operation, to compare the surface and store information about a deviation therebetween, and a communication module to communicate the stored information about the deviation and thereby provide a user with the possibility of intervening, where on the basis of predefinable criteria it is decided whether information is to be communicated or not. The communication module can also receive a control instruction from the user and to interrupt, continue, modify or start again the processing operation.
Abstract:
A method for controlling an autonomous mobile robot. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the storage and management of at least one map associated with an area of use for the robot and the navigation of the robot through the area of use for the robot, wherein the robot continuously determines its position on the map. The method further comprises the detection of a repositioning procedure, during which the robot carries out a movement that the robot itself cannot control. During this repositioning procedure, the robot detects information about its position and/or its state of motion with the aid of sensors and, based on the detected information, determines an estimated value for its position.
Abstract:
Methods for an autonomous mobile robot are described. According to an exemplary embodiment, one method comprises the detection of information regarding the structure of the environment around the robot in the robot deployment area by means of a first sensor unit of the robot and the creation of a map based on the detected information. The method also comprises the measurement of a direction and/or a quantity of at least one physical vector field variable for one or more poses of the robot by means of a second sensor unit and the determination, based on the measurement(s) carried out for one or more poses of the robot, of a preferred direction of the at least one physical vector field variable for the robot deployment area (or a portion thereof). Furthermore, corresponding robots and robot systems are described.
Abstract:
An optical triangulation sensor for distance measurement is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source for the generation of structured light, an optical reception device, at least one attachment element and a carrier with a first groove on a lateral surface of the carrier, wherein the light source and/or optical reception device is at least partially arranged in the first groove and is held in place on the carrier by the attachment element.
Abstract:
A mobile self-propelled robot for autonomously carrying out actions. The robot includes a drive module for moving the robot over a floor area; a processing module for carrying out the activities during a processing stage; at least one sensor module for detecting information relating to the structure of the surroundings; a detector module configured to detect a displacement of the robot prior to or during the processing stage. Further, the robot includes a navigation module configured to navigate the robot over the floor area during the processing stage using a map of the surroundings, to store and manage one or more maps of the surroundings, and to carry out a self-positioning process if the detector module has detected a displacement of the robot. During the self-positioning process, the presence and the location of the robot within the stored maps are detected.
Abstract:
An optical triangulation sensor for distance measurement is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source for the generation of structured light, an optical reception device, at least one attachment element and a carrier with a first groove on a lateral surface of the carrier, wherein the light source and/or optical reception device is at least partially arranged in the first groove and is held in place on the carrier by the attachment element.
Abstract:
A method for controlling an autonomous, mobile robot which is designed to navigate independently in a robot deployment area, using sensors and a map. According to one embodiment, the method comprises detecting obstacles and calculating the position of detected obstacles based on measurement data received by the sensors, and controlling the robot to avoid a collision with a detected obstacle, the map comprising map data that represents at least one virtual blocked region which, during the control of the robot, is taken into account in the same way as an actual, detected obstacle.