Autonomous machine
AssigneeDyson Technology Limited
InventorsMichael David Aldred, Andrew Michael Shardlow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An autonomous machine is configured to explore the area in which it is located, constructing a map of the area based on information collected by the machine as the machine explores the area. The machine determines when it has returned to a previously visited position within the area. The map is corrected when the machine returns to the previously visited position, based on the knowledge that the current position and the previously visited position are the same.
Claims20
An autonomous machine comprising:
- a drive for moving the machine along a surface, and
- a navigation system, including a memory, for navigating the machine around an area,
- the navigation system comprising:
- an exploration unit causing the machine to explore a boundary of the area in which it is located, constructing a map of the area based on information collected by the machine as the machine explores the area,
- a determining unit determining when the machine has returned to a previously visited position within the area, and
- a corrector correcting the map when the machine returns to the previously visited position, based on knowledge that the current position and the previously visited position are the same.
A method of controlling an autonomous machine comprising:
- causing the machine to explore a boundary of the area in which it is located,
- constructing a map of the area based on information collected by the machine as the machine explores the area,
- determining when the machine has returned to a previously visited position within the area, and
- correcting the map when the machine returns to the previously visited position, based on the knowledge that the current position and the previously visited position are the same.
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program which, when executed by an autonomous machine, causes the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:
- causing the machine to explore a boundary of the area in which it is located,
- constructing a map of the area based on information collected by the machine as the machine explores the area,
- determining when the machine has returned to a previously visited position within the area, and
- correcting the map when the machine returns to the previously visited position, based on the knowledge that the current position and the previously visited position are the same.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.