The Principle and Application of Using Ultrasonic Sensors in Robot Vacuum Cleaners

An ultrasonic sensor is a device that converts ultrasonic signals into other energy signals (usually electrical signals). Ultrasonic waves are mechanical waves with a vibration frequency higher than 20kHz and a wavelength exceeding the human ear's audible range (20 Hz ~ 20 kHz). They are characterized by high frequency, short wavelength, minimal diffraction, particularly good directivity, and the ability to propagate directionally like rays. In daily environments, they are almost immune to interference except for coherent waves and pose no harm to humans. 

In fact, ultrasonic sensors help robot vacuum cleaners 'identify' carpets. Once equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, the robot vacuum can determine the type of floor material.

When encountering a smooth floor, due to the reflective mode, the ultrasonic waves are minimally absorbed by the floor, and the sensor detects a continuous 'bouncing back' of waves.

If AI object detection relies on 'vision,' then ultrasonic sensors function more like 'touch' detection.

The actual effectiveness of AI object detection depends on many factors, such as lighting, carpet color, detection angle, real-time processing speed, and camera resolution.

For example, in conditions with poor lighting and dark-colored carpets, AI is likely to misidentify the carpet as the floor. However, due to the working principle of ultrasonic sensors, they are not affected by these factors, thus avoiding such misjudgments.