An underwater robot and a control method therefor. The underwater robot includes a robot main body, wherein a dirt suction port is provided at bottom of the robot main body, a first water outlet is provided on top of the robot main body in communication with the dirt suction port, a second water outlet is further provided at bottom of the robot main body in communication with the first water outlet, and the second water outlet is located on a side of the dirt suction port close to a front end; and a water-pumping mechanism and an escape mechanism provided in the robot main body. By means of the underwater robot and the control method therefor, the obstacle crossing capability of the underwater robot is improved.

An omnidirectional mechanical drive unit in a robot may be controlled by a processor. An input message characterizing a physical force exerted on a force sensor in a first direction may be received. A physical force input vector quantifying the physical force in two or more dimensions may be determined based on the input message. Upon determining that a triggering condition for navigational feedback is satisfied, a haptic force input vector for provide haptic navigational feedback via the omnidirectional mechanical drive unit may be determined. A force output vector aggregating the physical force input vector and the haptic force input vector may be determined. The force output vector may quantify a force to apply to move the robot in a second direction. An indication of the force output vector may be transmitted to the omnidirectional mechanical drive unit. The robot may be moved based on the force output vector.

An omnidirectional mechanical drive unit in a robot may be controlled by a processor. An input message characterizing a physical force exerted on a force sensor in a first direction may be received. A physical force input vector quantifying the physical force in two or more dimensions may be determined based on the input message. Upon determining that a triggering condition for navigational feedback is satisfied, a haptic force input vector for provide haptic navigational feedback via the omnidirectional mechanical drive unit may be determined. A force output vector aggregating the physical force input vector and the haptic force input vector may be determined. The force output vector may quantify a force to apply to move the robot in a second direction. An indication of the force output vector may be transmitted to the omnidirectional mechanical drive unit. The robot may be moved based on the force output vector.

A small watercraft includes: a watercraft body; a propulsion device that imparts the watercraft body with a propulsion force; a direction change device that changes a travel direction of the watercraft body; and a control unit that sets a destination of the watercraft body and executes automatic navigation control of controlling the propulsion device and the direction change device so that the watercraft body moves toward the set destination. The control unit varies control patterns of the propulsion device and the direction change device in the automatic navigation control depending on a combination of an angular difference between a destination direction that is a direction from the watercraft body toward the destination and a travel direction of the watercraft body, and a separation distance from the watercraft body to the destination.

A small watercraft includes: a watercraft body; a propulsion device that imparts the watercraft body with a propulsion force; a direction change device that changes a travel direction of the watercraft body; and a control unit that sets a destination of the watercraft body and executes automatic navigation control of controlling the propulsion device and the direction change device so that the watercraft body moves toward the set destination. The control unit varies control patterns of the propulsion device and the direction change device in the automatic navigation control depending on a combination of an angular difference between a destination direction that is a direction from the watercraft body toward the destination and a travel direction of the watercraft body, and a separation distance from the watercraft body to the destination.

A system and method are provided for mapping obstructions in a work area traversed by a work machine such as a sprayer, combine or other machine having a ground-engaging work implement. While the work machine traverses the work area, and via output signals from sensors associated with the work machine, obstructions are detected at (e.g., using perception sensing on a combine, etc.) and/or below (e.g., using vibration sensing on a planter, dozer, etc.) a ground surface. A mapped data structure associated with the work area is accordingly modified, wherein a sensed location and one or more identified characteristics for each respective one of the detected obstructions are mapped to corresponding locations in the mapped data structure. The sensors may include vibration sensors or implement actuator position sensors to detect an obstruction contacted by the work machine, and/or perception sensors to detect obstructions on the surface/within a field of view.

A system and method are provided for mapping obstructions in a work area traversed by a work machine such as a sprayer, combine or other machine having a ground-engaging work implement. While the work machine traverses the work area, and via output signals from sensors associated with the work machine, obstructions are detected at (e.g., using perception sensing on a combine, etc.) and/or below (e.g., using vibration sensing on a planter, dozer, etc.) a ground surface. A mapped data structure associated with the work area is accordingly modified, wherein a sensed location and one or more identified characteristics for each respective one of the detected obstructions are mapped to corresponding locations in the mapped data structure. The sensors may include vibration sensors or implement actuator position sensors to detect an obstruction contacted by the work machine, and/or perception sensors to detect obstructions on the surface/within a field of view.

An escaping method of a cleaning robot includes: when the cleaning robot encounters an obstacle and turns around while performing cleaning along an edge of a first surface medium area, in response to a surface medium change signal from the surface medium sensor indicates that a second surface medium area is detected, searching an established room map to determine whether the second surface medium area exists in the room map; if the second surface medium area exists, determining whether a route bypassing the second surface medium area exists based on the room map and a boundary of the second surface medium area in the room map; if the route exists, controlling the cleaning robot to travel along the route to bypass the second surface medium area; and if the route does not exist, controlling the cleaning robot to return along a cleaned route to bypass the second surface medium area.

An escaping method of a cleaning robot includes: when the cleaning robot encounters an obstacle and turns around while performing cleaning along an edge of a first surface medium area, in response to a surface medium change signal from the surface medium sensor indicates that a second surface medium area is detected, searching an established room map to determine whether the second surface medium area exists in the room map; if the second surface medium area exists, determining whether a route bypassing the second surface medium area exists based on the room map and a boundary of the second surface medium area in the room map; if the route exists, controlling the cleaning robot to travel along the route to bypass the second surface medium area; and if the route does not exist, controlling the cleaning robot to return along a cleaned route to bypass the second surface medium area.

The present disclosure relates to an active obstacle crossing control method and system for cleaning robot, and a cleaning robot, the cleaning robot comprises an active obstacle crossing mechanism and an obstacle crossing driving device that drives the motion of the active obstacle crossing mechanism, the method comprises in case where an obstacle is on the cleaning path, identifying the height of the obstacle and the material type of the contact surface before the cleaning robot crosses the obstacle; in case where the height of the obstacles matches a predefined obstacle crossing height range corresponding to the material type, activating the active obstacle crossing function.