Scientists from South Ural State University have patented a design of a robot that can be used as a delivery robot, home security guard, or to explore hazardous areas, and descend into mines. A unique SPPA program specifically developed for simulating robotic movements in confined spaces allows for fully automated robotic movements without connection to the Internet or GPS.
The unique SPPA control algorithm means that the robot can think like a human and includes four principles: S – sense, P – perceive, P – plan, A – act.
The robot has been trained to navigate without the Internet connection: this is made possible by synchronizing the robot with 3D mathematical maps of the space. The mechanism remembers the return route and all obstacles along the way. At traffic lights, it calculates the time it will take to cross a pedestrian crossing, just like a human, and promptly makes decisions about movement, adjusting its speed.
The device is controlled by a computer without human intervention, although manual control of the robot's functions, tasks, and movements is also possible, including via a smartphone, even from another country. Voice communication is also possible with the robot: it is always ready to communicate with its user and accept new commands.
"Our robot can perform many tasks: it can be used for delivering medications, for example, to HIV-infected patients or patients undergoing treatment in a radioactive zone. It can also act as your home security guard, monitoring fire and burglar safety in your apartment, making an emergency call to your phone in the event of a threat, forwarding it to emergency services, and, upon request, sending you photos of the situation," says Sallam Mohamed, postgraduate student in the SUSU Department of System Programming. "This unique machine can explore hazardous areas and even descend into mines and other places where it would be unsafe for humans."
The built-in camera accurately identifies objects in front of the robot: it can distinguish a glass from a chair, and recognize a cat from a dog, not to mention a person. Thanks to its integrated thermal imaging camera, the device can remember and distinguish people, even if their faces are obscured. By detecting noise and odours, the robot can prevent emergencies in its assigned space.
There are currently no analogues to the invention of the Chelyabinsk scientists in Russia. Furthermore, the robot is assembled using entirely domestic components, and its interface is available in both Russian and English. The development is now fully ready for commercialization.