Stmicroelectronics Gmbh

Stmicroelectronics (shenzhen) R&d Co. Ltd.

Benoit Rivot

Xingyu Wang

Cliff Detection in Robotic Devices A method of operating a robotic device includes: moving the robotic device towards an edge of a cliff while a ToF sensor senses reflected signals having been transmitted by the ToF sensor, the reflected signals being generated by the signals transmitted by the ToF sensor being reflected off a target object back to the ToF sensor, the ToF sensor being attached to a front of the robotic device and including an array of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensors; comparing a statistical distribution of the reflected signals received at a plurality of different rows of zones configured by the array of SPADs in a region of interest (ROI) of the ToF sensor and based on the comparing detecting an approaching of the edge of the cliff; and in response to detecting the approaching of the edge, changing a propulsion of the robotic device before reaching the edge.

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Bessy, France

Benoit Rivot