Abstract: A multi-function robotic device may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect, a multi-function robotic device may be selectively configurable to perform a desired function in accordance with the capabilities of a selectively removable functional cartridge operably coupled with a robot body. Localization and mapping techniques may employ partial maps associated with portions of an operating environment, data compression, or both.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 1, 2006
Date of Patent:
July 9, 2013
Assignee:
Neato Robotics, Inc.
Inventors:
Vladimir Ermakov, Mark Woodward, Joe Augenbraun
Abstract: Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 31, 2010
Publication date:
April 7, 2011
Applicant:
NEATO ROBOTICS, INC.
Inventors:
Boris SOFMAN, Vladimir ERMAKOV, Mark EMMERICH, Steven ALEXANDER, Nathaniel David MONSON
Abstract: A distance measuring system and method employing a laser distance sensor may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a laser distance sensor may acquire accurate distance measurements with a short baseline.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 19, 2007
Publication date:
February 4, 2010
Applicant:
NEATO ROBOTICS, INC.
Inventors:
Pankaj Shah, Kurt Konolige, Joe Augenbraun, Nick Donaldson, Charles Fiebig, Yuming Liu, Hassaan Moin Khan, Joseph Pinzarrone, Leo Salinas, Hua Tang, Rafael Taylor
Abstract: A multi-function robotic device may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect, a multi-function robotic device may be selectively configurable to perform a desired function in accordance with the capabilities of a selectively removable functional cartridge operably coupled with a robot body. Localization and mapping techniques may employ partial maps associated with portions of an operating environment, data compression, or both.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 20, 2009
Publication date:
December 10, 2009
Applicant:
NEATO ROBOTICS, INC
Inventors:
Joe AUGENBRAUN, Linda HIRSCHHORN, Pankaj SHAH, Nick DONALDSON, William JAYNE, Juan B. GOMEZ, Joseph PINZARRONE
Abstract: A multi-function robotic device may have utility in various applications. In accordance with one aspect, a multi-function robotic device may be selectively configurable to perform a desired function in accordance with the capabilities of a selectively removable functional cartridge operably coupled with a robot body. Localization and mapping techniques may employ partial maps associated with portions of an operating environment, data compression, or both.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 1, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2009
Assignee:
Neato Robotics, Inc.
Inventors:
Joe Augenbraun, Linda Hirschhorn, Pankaj Shah, Nick Donaldson, William Jayne, Juan B. Gomez, Joseph Pinzarrone