Robotic Training Systems and Methods

• US 20180085654A1
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Published: 03/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Black, Stephen John, Dibenedetto, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 10,722,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/244 using passive navigation aids external to the vehicle, e.g. markers, reflectors or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/646 Following a predefined trajectory, e.g. a line marked on the floor or a flight path
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/65 Following a desired speed profile
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2105/60 for sport or gaming activities
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2107/24 Sports fields, e.g. golf courses
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2109/10 Land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2111/10 Optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

A robotic athletic training system may include a mobile robotic platform, a sensor module associated with the mobile robotic platform and configured to obtain data from an environment. The system may include a drive system that propels the platform, as well as a steering system that steers the platform. The system may include a processor which receives data from the sensor module and control the drive system or steering system to follow a path based on the data received from the sensor module. A method may include controlling a robotic athletic training system (or robotic training platform) so that it moves at a velocity. The robotic athletic training system may include a vision system configured to receive data related to a surface and compare a baseline data of a desired surface to the received data and adjusting a travel direction of the robotic system in response to the comparison.

Claims

1. A robotic athletic training system for assisting an individual during an athletic activity in an environment, comprising:

a mobile robotic platform;

a sensor module including an array of optical sensors coupled to the mobile robotic platform and configured to obtain sensor data from the environment;

a drive system configured to propel the mobile robotic platform;

a steering system configured to steer the mobile robotic platform; and

a processor, the processor being configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor module, characterize the sensor data into one of edge data, color data, saturation data, threshold data, or keypoint data, and to control one of the drive system and the steering system to follow a path based on the characterized data, wherein the sensor data comprises data related to variation of a surface of the environment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor data comprises optical data capable of indicating the position of a line on a track in the environment.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured for communication with an electronic device associated with the individual,

wherein the transceiver is configured to receive data from the electronic device and to transmit the electronic device data to the processor, and

wherein the processor is further configured to control one of the drive system and the steering system based on the electronic device data.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the electronic device data comprises programmed instructions to control the drive and steering systems according to a workout program.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the path is a predetermined path.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive input data and transmit the input data received to the processor,

wherein the processor is further configured to control one of the drive system and the steering system based on the input data received from the user interface.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the input data comprises programmed instructions to control the drive and steering systems according to a workout program.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the user interface is integrated with the robotic training system.

2. A robotic athletic training system for assisting an individual during an athletic activity in an environment, comprising:

a mobile robotic platform;

a sensor module including an array of sensors coupled to the mobile robotic platform and configured to obtain data from the environment;

a drive system configured to propel the mobile robotic platform;

a steering system configured to steer the mobile robotic platform; and

a processor, the processor being configured to receive the data from the sensor module and to control one of the drive system and the steering system to follow a path based on the data, wherein the data comprises data related to variation of a surface of the environment.

10. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a video camera configured to record video data of the individual during the athletic activity and to transmit the video data to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to analyze physiological characteristics of the individual based on the video data.

11. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an audio feedback system configured to provide information about a workout program to the individual during the athletic activity.

12. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a display system configured to provide information about a workout program to the individual during the athletic activity.

13. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an audio input system configured to record audio data and transmit the audio data to the processor to control the system.

14. A method of assisting an individual during an athletic activity in an environment using a robotic athletic training system, comprising:

controlling the robotic athletic training system with a processor of the robotic athletic training system to move the robotic athletic training system at a velocity;

receiving data related to a surface of the environment over which the robotic athletic training system moves and on which the individual conducts their athletic activity with a vision system of the robotic athletic training system;

comparing baseline possible surface characteristic data to the received surface data with the processor of the robotic athletic training system; and

adjusting a travel direction of the robotic athletic training system in response to the comparison.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein controlling the robotic athletic training system with the processor comprises processing simulated race data such that the robotic training system moves at a predetermined race pace.

16. The method of claim 14, furtherer comprising the robotic training system providing coaching feedback to the individual during the athletic activity.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving physiological sensor data at the robotic athletic training system about the individual from a sensor module coupled to the individual during the athletic activity;

comparing baseline possible physiological data to the received physiological sensor data with the processor of the robotic athletic training system; and

adjusting the velocity of the robotic athletic training system in response to the physiological data comparison.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving personal information about the individual prior to receiving the received physiological sensor data.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the personal information comprises one of prior injury information, height, weight, gender, an athletic goal, intended athletic environment, intended athletic duration, and intended workout intensity.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the received surface data is optical data indicating the position of a line on a track in the environment.