Amanda Gruber

US Patent:

20070192910, Aug 16, 2007

Filed:

Sep 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/541479

Inventors:

Clara Vu - Cambridge MA, US
Matthew Cross - Mason NH, US
Tim Bickmore - Beverly MA, US
Amanda Gruber - Somerville MA, US
Tony Campbell - Pepperell MA, US

International Classification:

B25J 9/00

US Classification:

901017000

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.