Companion robot for personal interaction

Abstract

A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.

1 . A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
 a first detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a first predetermined space proximate the robot;   a second detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a second predetermined space proximate the robot;   a physical contact device to detect contact between at least one of a person and an object, wherein at least one of the first detector, the second detector, and the contact device triggers a safety condition; and   a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.   
     
     
         2 . A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
 an annunciator configured to audibly indicate the presence of the robot;   a visible beacon configured to optically indicate the presence of the robot;   a proximity curtain detector configured to detect a person within a curtain covering a majority of the height of the robot and thereafter trigger a safety condition;   a physical impact buffer configured to absorb impact of a person colliding with the robot, detect the person, and trigger the safety condition;   a floor-level proximity ribbon detector configured to detect objects of less than 2 inches in height and trigger the safety condition; and   a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.   
     
     
         3 . A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:
 a zone detector configured to detect an object within a zone in front of the robot covering a substantial portion of the height of the robot above 10 inches from the ground and thereafter trigger a safety condition;   a near zone impact bumper configured to absorb an impact of an object colliding with the robot, detect the object, and trigger the safety condition;   a near zone proximity sensor configured to detect an object in front of the robot between 2-10 inches from the ground and trigger the safety condition;   a near zone low object proximity sensor configured to detect objects in front of the robot of less than 2-4 inches in height and trigger the safety condition; and   a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.   
     
     
         4 - 10 . (canceled)