Waste disposal robot, system, and method
A robot for waste disposal, the robot being configured to be secured to a garbage container. The robot includes a propulsion system, a control unit, a navigation system, and at least one power source. The control unit is configured to: store a scheduler event in the memory, the scheduler event including information pertaining to a day of the week and a time of the day; store a navigation instruction in the memory, the navigation instruction including at least a first route that begins at a first location and ends at a trash pickup location; and activate the propulsion system based on information provided by the navigation system to propel the garbage container along the first route of the navigation instruction such that the garbage container is propelled from the first location to the trash pickup location when the scheduler event occurs.
1 . A robot for waste disposal, the robot being configured to be secured to a garbage container and comprising:
a propulsion system configured to move the garbage container when the robot is secured to the garbage container;
a control unit comprising a processor and a memory, the control unit being configured to control the propulsion system;
a navigation system in communication with the control unit;
at least one power source configured to power at least the propulsion system;
a housing accommodating at least the control unit, the navigation system, and the at least one power source; and
a locking bracket configured to secure the housing to a front wall of the garbage container, wherein
the control unit is further configured to:
store a scheduler event in the memory, the scheduler event including information pertaining to a day of the week and a time of the day,
store a navigation instruction in the memory, the navigation instruction comprising at least a first route that begins at a first location and ends at a trash pickup location, and
activate the propulsion system based on information provided by the navigation system to propel the garbage container along the first route of the navigation instruction such that the garbage container is propelled from the first location to the trash pickup location when the scheduler event occurs.
2 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein
the control unit is further configured to store a return event in the memory,
the navigation instruction further comprises a second route that begins at the trash pickup location and ends at the first location, and
the control unit is further configured to activate the propulsion system based on information provided by the navigation system to propel the garbage container along the second route of the navigation instruction such that the garbage container is propelled from the trash pickup location to the first location when the return event occurs.
3 . The robot of claim 2 , wherein the return event is a second scheduler event including information pertaining to a day of the week and a time of the day, wherein at least the time of the second scheduler event is different than the time of the scheduler event.
4 . The robot of claim 2 , further comprising one or more sensors configured to send signals to the control unit, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a light sensor, a weight sensor, a motion sensor, a magnetic sensor, a sound sensor, a radio sensor, a wheel encoder, or a combination thereof.
5 . The robot of claim 4 , wherein the navigation system comprises the one or more sensors and the one or more sensors are used to generate the navigation instruction.
6 . The robot of claim 2 , further comprising a motion sensor configured to send signals to the control unit, wherein the motion sensor detects motions that exceed a motion sensitivity threshold, and the return event occurs after a delay time following detection, by the motion sensor, of a motion that exceeds the motion sensitivity threshold.
7 . The robot of claim 2 , further comprising a weight sensor configured to send signals to the control unit, wherein the weight sensor detects a maximum weight threshold, and the return event occurs after a delay time following detection, by the weight sensor, of a weight that is below the maximum weight threshold.
8 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the navigation system comprises a global positioning system receiver.
9 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a set of wheels.
10 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the set of wheels are operatively connected to an actuator, the actuator is configured to extend the set of wheels to an outside of the housing at a deployed position and retract the set of wheels into a retracted position within the housing, and the control unit is configured to:
activate the actuator to extend the set of wheels into the deployed position when the scheduler event occurs,
retract the set of wheels into the retracted position when the garbage container reaches the trash pickup location,
extend the set of wheels to the deployed position when the return event occurs, and
retract the set of wheels into the retracted position when the garbage container returns to the first location.
11 . The robot of claim 1 , further comprising at least one wireless communication unit comprising a wireless network adapter, Bluetooth, a cellular adapter, or a combination thereof.
12 . The robot of claim 11 , wherein the navigation instruction is received via the at least one wireless communication unit.
13 . The robot of claim 11 , wherein the scheduler event is received via the at least one wireless communication unit.
14 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source comprises a solar panel configured to charge a battery.
15 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system comprises at least one wheel and the locking bracket is configured to secure the housing within a recessed channel of the front wall of the garbage container such that the propulsion system of the robot is configured to drive the garbage container system using the at least one wheel of the robot and a set of wheels of the garbage container.
16 . A garbage container system comprising:
a garbage container comprising a front wall, sidewalls, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a bottom surface, a top having an openable and closable lid, and a set of wheels disposed at an intersection of the bottom surface and the rear wall, wherein the front wall comprises a recessed channel extending in a direction from the bottom surface to the open top; and
a robot comprising:
a propulsion system comprising at least one wheel;
a control unit comprising a processor and a memory, the control unit being configured to control the propulsion system;
a navigation system in communication with the control unit; and
at least one power source configured to power at least the propulsion system,
wherein
the robot is secured to the garbage container within the recessed channel of the garbage container such that the propulsion system of the robot is configured to drive the garbage container system using the at least one wheel of the robot and the set of wheels of the garbage container.
17 . The garbage container system of claim 16 , wherein the robot is releasably secured within the channel by a locking bracket.
18 . The garbage container system of claim 16 , further comprising a docking station configured to charge the at least one power source when the robot is docked at the docking station.
19 . The garbage container system of claim 16 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:
store a scheduler event in the memory, the scheduler event including information pertaining to a day of the week and a time of the day,
store a navigation instruction in the memory, the navigation instruction comprising at least a first route that begins at a first location and ends at a trash pickup location, and
activate the propulsion system based on information provided by the navigation system to propel the garbage container along the first route of the navigation instruction such that the garbage container is propelled from the first location to the trash pickup location when the scheduler event occurs.
20 . A waste disposal system comprising:
a garbage container comprising a front wall, sidewalls, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a bottom surface, a top having an openable and closable lid, and a set of wheels disposed at an intersection of the bottom surface and the rear wall, the set of wheels connected by at least one axle;
a housing that accommodates:
a propulsion system configured for moving the garbage container;
a control unit comprising a processor and a memory, the control unit being configured to control the propulsion system;
a navigation system in communication with the control unit; and
at least one power source, wherein
the housing is part of the at least one axle of the garbage container, and
the control unit is further configured to:
store a scheduler event in the memory, the scheduler event indicating a day of the week and a time of the day,
store a navigation instruction in the memory, the navigation instruction comprising at least a first route that begins at a first location and ends at a trash pickup location, and
activate the propulsion system based on information provided by the navigation system to propel the garbage container along the first route of the navigation instruction such that the garbage container is propelled from the first location to the trash pickup location when the scheduler event occurs.