Modular, Adaptive, and Cognitive Mobile Cleaning Robots

Publication ID: 24-11857139_0005_PTD

Published: November 07, 2025

Category:Future Evolutions & Paradigm Shifts

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Modular, Adaptive, and Cognitive Mobile Cleaning Robots,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857139_0005_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857139_0005_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,139.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

Next-generation mobile cleaning robots that adapt to changing environments, user preferences, and cleaning requirements through modular design, cognitive control, and real-time sensing.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a mobile cleaning robot with adjustable suspension, but its fixed design and limited adaptability restrict its ability to effectively clean diverse environments and adapt to user preferences. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing modular, adaptive, and cognitive capabilities that enable the robot to reconfigure itself in response to changing conditions.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The modular, adaptive, and cognitive mobile cleaning robots comprise interchangeable cleaning modules, a cognitive control system, and real-time sensing capabilities. The robots can dynamically reconfigure themselves to adapt to changing cleaning requirements, environmental conditions, and user preferences. The cognitive control system optimizes cleaning efficiency, and the real-time sensing capabilities enable the robot to adjust its cleaning path and respond to obstacles. The modular design allows for easy upgrade and customization of the robot, ensuring it remains effective in diverse environments.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a paradigm shift in mobile cleaning robots by incorporating modular design, cognitive control, and real-time sensing. These features enable the robot to adapt to changing conditions, which is not possible with the fixed design of the original patent. The inventive step lies in the integration of these features to create a highly adaptable and efficient cleaning robot.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments include swarm-based cleaning systems, hybrid robots with multiple cleaning modules, and robots with specialized cleaning pods. Variations may include different sensor suites, navigation systems, and cognitive control algorithms to optimize cleaning efficiency and adaptability.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The modular, adaptive, and cognitive mobile cleaning robots have significant commercial potential in various industries, including consumer robotics, commercial cleaning services, and healthcare. The robots can be marketed as premium products for high-end consumers, or as specialized solutions for commercial and industrial clients.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A47	A47L9/066
A	A47	A47L7/009
A	A47	A47L9/009
A	A47	A47L9/2847
A	A47	A47L9/2852
A	A47	A47L11/28
A	A47	A47L11/4011
A	A47	A47L11/4036
A	A47	A47L11/4055
A	A47	A47L11/4061
A	A47	A47L11/4063
A	A47	A47L11/4072
A	A47	A47L2201/04
A	A47	A47L2201/06

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Autonomous mobile robotics, specifically cleaning robots with modular design and adaptive control systems, requiring expertise in robotics engineering, mechanical design, sensor integration, and autonomous navigation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A robotics engineer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in autonomous mobile robot design, familiar with mechatronic systems, sensor technologies, and adaptive control algorithms

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the modular design and cognitive control systems represent predictable extensions of existing mobile cleaning robot technologies. The source patent's foundational mobile cleaning robot architecture provides a clear technical framework for implementing more advanced adaptive and reconfigurable robotic systems. The disclosed variations represent incremental improvements using known techniques in robotics and control systems.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Mobile cleaning robot with interchangeable drive wheels and wheel stop mechanism

PTD Variation

Modular cleaning pods and interchangeable cleaning modules that can be selectively attached to a central chassis

Obviousness Reasoning

A PHOSITA would find it obvious to extend the modular wheel design concept to entire cleaning modules, as modular robotic design is a standard approach for increasing system flexibility and adaptability

Source Patent Element

Drive system operable to change robot modes between vacuuming and mopping

PTD Variation

Cognitive control system dynamically reconfiguring robot based on environmental conditions

Obviousness Reasoning

Mode-switching functionality inherently suggests adaptive control, making cognitive reconfiguration a predictable technological progression using known control system design techniques

Source Patent Element

Mobile robot with obstacle avoidance capabilities

PTD Variation

3D environment mapping and dynamic path adjustment using advanced sensor suite

Obviousness Reasoning

Enhanced sensing and navigation represent a natural evolution of basic obstacle avoidance, utilizing standard robotics techniques for improving autonomous navigation

Source Patent Element

Pad assembly movable between stored and operational positions

PTD Variation

Hybrid robots with primary and secondary specialized cleaning modules

Obviousness Reasoning

The concept of deployable cleaning attachments directly suggests the feasibility of multiple specialized cleaning modules, representing a straightforward design extension

Source Patent Element

Autonomous mobile robot with gear-based mechanical translation

PTD Variation

Swarm-based cleaning systems with inter-robot communication and centralized coordination

Obviousness Reasoning

Multi-unit robotic coordination is a known technique in robotics, representing a predictable scaling of single-robot autonomous control principles

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857139's disclosure of mobile cleaning robot technologies, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed variations in modular robotic design, adaptive control, and specialized cleaning configurations would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, thereby establishing prior art that anticipates and renders obvious substantially similar technological implementations.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,139
Title	Mobile cleaning robot with adjustable suspension
Assignee(s)	iRobot Corporation