US 2026/0244187 A1Published application

Display of robot's intended actions on hmi elements for visibility to traffic users

AssigneeAtlas Robotics and Automation, Inc.

InventorsÇetin Alp Meriçli, Tekin Alp Meriçli

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Abstract

An autonomous mobile robot's intended actions are displayed to nearby traffic users, integrating navigation trajectory data with environmental perception to generate context-adaptive intent visualizations. HMI output devices such as displays, lights, and projection systems adapt visualization parameters (size, brightness, detail level, color profile, animation) based on robot velocity, proximity to detected humans, ambient lighting, and urgency. Color profiles dynamically transition from green tones at safe distances to amber/yellow at moderate proximity to red at close proximity to detected humans. Projected graphics show one or more of intended paths, directional arrows, safety zones, warnings, and destination information on ground surfaces, or destination identifiers (e.g., aisle locations, bay numbers, dock identifiers), enabling traffic users relevance of the robot's path. Multi-modal synchronization coordinates projections, displays, lights, and audio. Applications include warehouse autonomous mobile robots, autonomous forklifts, and autonomous vehicles communicating intentions to humans in shared environments, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A system for displaying intended actions of an autonomous mobile robot to traffic users in a shared environment, comprising:

one or more processors executing navigation software that generates trajectory data representing a planned path of said autonomous mobile robot over a future time period;
one or more sensors configured to detect environmental conditions including at least one of:
ambient lighting level, proximity of humans, or properties of surfaces in said shared environment;
one or more human-machine interface output devices including at least one device selected from the group consisting of:
a display screen, indicator lights, and a projection system configured to project visual information onto environmental surfaces;
and
a human-machine interface controller in communication with said one or more processors, said one or more sensors, and said one or more human-machine interface output devices, said human-machine interface controller configured to:
receive said trajectory data from said navigation software,
receive environmental context data from said one or more sensors,
generate intent visualization data representing said planned path, said intent visualization data including at least one of:
directional indicators showing intended direction of travel, path trajectory representations showing spatial route, or safety zone graphics indicating clearance boundaries,
adapt parameters of said intent visualization data based on said environmental context data, said parameters including at least one of:
size, brightness, level of detail, or animation characteristics, and
control said one or more human-machine interface output devices to present said intent visualization data in a manner visible to traffic users at distances enabling advance perception of robot intentions.

11 more elements

A method for communicating intended actions of an autonomous mobile robot, comprising:

determining, by one or more processors of said autonomous mobile robot, a planned trajectory for said autonomous mobile robot representing intended motion over a future time period;
measuring, by one or more sensors, contextual factors including at least two of:
current velocity of said autonomous mobile robot, proximity to detected humans in an environment, ambient lighting level, or operating mode of said autonomous mobile robot;
generating, by a human-machine interface controller, intent visualization data representing said planned trajectory, said intent visualization data including graphical representations of at least one of:
intended direction of travel, spatial path, or safety clearances;
adapting, by said human-machine interface controller, visual parameters of said intent visualization data based on said measured contextual factors, said visual parameters including at least one of:
size of graphical elements, brightness, projection distance from said autonomous mobile robot, level of detail, or animation characteristics;
and
displaying, by one or more human-machine interface output devices controlled by said human-machine interface controller, said intent visualization data in a manner visible to humans and other traffic users in said environment.

6 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an autonomous mobile robot, cause said one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

receiving trajectory data from a navigation module, said trajectory data representing a planned path of said autonomous mobile robot;
receiving sensor data including at least two of:
robot velocity, detected human positions, ambient lighting level, or floor surface properties;
determining intent information to communicate based on said trajectory data and a current operating state of said autonomous mobile robot;
generating visual representations of said intent information including at least one of:
directional arrows, path trajectories, safety zones, or warning symbols;
adapting visual parameters of said visual representations based on said sensor data, including adjusting at least one of:
size, brightness, projection distance, or level of detail;
and
transmitting output commands to one or more human-machine interface devices to display said visual representations.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/462,245Filed 28 Jan 2026
Priority: 29 Jan 2025
Published: 20 Aug 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

B60Q 1/507
For indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking: specific to autonomous vehicles
G05B 19/409
Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to…
B60Q 1/00
Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof
B60Q 1/50
The devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic: for indicating other…