Systems for determining location using robots with deformable sensors

US11577395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. · US
• TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA · JP

Inventors

• Alexander Alspach · Somerville, US
• Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy · Arlington, US
• Avinash Uttamchandani · Cambridge, US
• Samson F. Creasey · Cambridge, US
• Russell L. Tedrake · Needham, US
• Kunimatsu Hashimoto · Brookline, US
• Erik C. Sobel · Newton, US
• Takuya Ikeda · Tokyo, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2020
• Grant date: Feb 14, 2023
• Expiry date: May 18, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B25J11/0085
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining a location of a robot are provided. A method includes receiving, by a processor, a signal from a deformable sensor including data with respect to a deformation region in a deformable membrane of the deformable sensor resulting from contact with a first object. The data associated with contact with the first object is compared, by the processor, to details associated with contact with the first object to information associated with a plurality of objects stored in a database. The first object is identified, by the processor, as a first identified object of the plurality of objects stored in the database. The first identified object is an object of the plurality of objects stored in the database that is most similar to the first object. The location of the robot is determined, by the processor, based on a location of the first identified object.