Need Statement

Commercial robots are costly and limited to single cleaning styles. An open-source, off-the-shelf robot solves this by offering modular attachments such as sweeping brushes and vacuum fans, alongside autonomous navigation, obstacle detection, dodging and Bluetooth control capabilities.

2.1 Questions & Answers

S.No.	Questions	Answers	Classification
1	What is the main purpose of the smart floor-cleaning robot?	To reduce the effort and time needed to clean indoor floors.	Objective
2	What types of dirt should the robot collect?	It should collect dust, crumbs, hair, and other small loose debris.	Objective
3	How will the robot move around the floor?	DC geared motors drive the wheels/Treads to move the robot forward, backward, and turn.	Function
4	How will the robot detect objects in its path?	An ultrasonic sensor measures the distance to nearby obstacles.	Function
5	Can it avoid furniture and walls while moving?	The controller uses sensor readings to stop or change direction near obstacles.	Function
6	How will the robot pick up dust and debris?	A small vacuum motor and intake collect loose dirt into a dust container.	Function
7	A simple switch turns the robot on and off.	A simple switch turns the robot on and off.	Function
8	How will the robot's parts be controlled?	An Arduino-compatible microcontroller processes sensor inputs and controls the motors.	Function
9	How will the robot receive electrical power?	A rechargeable battery pack supplies power to the controller and motors.	Function
10	How will the user know the robot is powered on?	An LED indicator shows when the system is switched on.	Function
11	What is the target total prototype budget?	The prototype should be built within approximately ₹3,000.	Constraint
12	What size should the robot be for indoor use?	It should be compact enough to move through normal doorways and around furniture.	Constraint
13	What is the maximum target weight?	The assembled robot should be light enough for one person to lift and carry.	Constraint
14	How long should it run on one charge?	The target is about 30-45 minutes, depending on motor and pump power.	Constraint
15	What safety feature is needed near stairs or edges?	The robot should stop or turn when a wall is detected.	Constraint
16	How should the dust container be maintained?	It should be removable and easy to empty, wash, and reinstall without special tools.	Objective
17	What materials should be used for the body and frame?	Use low-cost, lightweight, durable materials such as acrylic sheet, plastic	Constraint
18	How will the robot communicate status or errors to the user?	A small buzzer or display provides sound alerts or text messages for status, low battery, and obstacles.	Function
19	What is the maximum noise level allowed during operation?	Noise should remain below 65 dB to prevent disruption to household activities.	Constraint
20	How will the system prevent damage from electrical overcurrent or short circuits?	An inline fuse and thermal shutdown protection circuit safeguard the motors and battery pack.	Function

Question: What is the primary goal of this project? Answer: To build an affordable, open-source modular floor-cleaning robot with autonomous navigation, obstacle detection, and Bluetooth control functionality.

Question: What are the strict limitations or boundaries we cannot cross? Answer:

• Maximum prototype budget of ₹3,500.
• Operational noise under 65 dB.
• 30–45 minute runtime per charge.
• Compact size (30×30 cm) and weight under 3.5 kg.
• Mandatory cliff safety sensors and electrical fuse protection.

Question: What are the basic actions the physical machine must perform? Answer:

• Sweep and vacuum dirt into a removable container.
• Drive forward, backward, and turn using DC geared motors.
• Detect obstacles and stairs using ultrasonic and IR sensors.
• Receive Bluetooth commands and provide status feedback via LED/buzzer.

2.2 Functions from User and Designer perspective

S.No.	Functions from User Perspective	Functions from Designer Perspective
1	Clean the floor	Remove dust and dirt from indoor floor surfaces
2	Loosen dirt	Use a rotating brush to loosen dust and sticky dirt
3	Collect loose dust	Create suction with a DC vacuum motor and suction nozzle
4	Carry collected dust	Send dust to a removable collection container
5	Move across the room	Drive the chassis using DC geared motors and wheels
6	Change direction	Control the left and right drive motors to turn the robot
7	Detect nearby obstacles	Use an ultrasonic sensor to measure the distance to objects
8	Supply electrical power	Use a rechargeable battery pack to power the robot
9	Control the cleaning system	Use an Arduino board to control the drive motors
10	Supply electrical power	Use a rechargeable battery pack to power the robot
11	Switch the robot on and off	Provide an accessible power switch in the electrical circuit
12	Protect electronic parts	Add a case covering to protect the electrical components
13	Keep the prototype affordable	Use readily available low-cost components
14	Make the robot easy to maintain	Make the compartments removable for cleaning
15	Keep the robot compact and portable	Use a lightweight components within a compact size
16	Show when the robot is operating	Use an LED indicator to show that the power is on
17	Prevent falling down stairs or off elevated edges	Mount IR cliff sensors at the bottom frame to trigger an immediate stop or reverse operation when a drop-off is detected
18	Indicate system status and error alerts	Integrate a piezo buzzer and status LCD to output audio tones and display diagnostic text messages
19	Allow remote manual control or mode selection	Use an HC-05 Bluetooth module to receive control commands from a mobile application
20	Protect electrical circuits from overcurrent or shorting	Install an inline thermal fuse and voltage regulator circuit to isolate heavy motor loads from logic controllers

2.3 Objectives

S. No.	Objectives
1	Maximize debris pickup rate per minute through optimized brush RPM and suction airflow
2	Limit motor and fan acoustic noise to under 65 dB using sound-dampening enclosures
3	Achieve 30–45 minutes of continuous operation per full battery charge cycle
4	Design a toolless, quick-release dust collector that is washable and reusable
5	Minimize collision impact and path recalculation latency using ultrasonic/IR sensors
6	Enable one-touch physical power toggles and single-click mobile Bluetooth pairing
7	Prevent floor falls with rapid cliff sensor response times (<100 ms)
8	Keep total device footprint within 30x30 cm and total weight under 3.5 kg
9	Provide immediate visual (LED) and auditory (buzzer) status alerts for system states and errors
10	Ensure wheel clearance and suspension travel can transition smoothly across smooth tile, hardwood, and low-pile carpets

2.4 Constraints

S. No.	Constraints
1	Overall component bill of materials (BOM) must not exceed ₹3,500
2	Must operate on standard rechargeable battery packs (e.g., 12V Li-ion or NiMH)
3	System logic must run entirely on an entry-level board
4	Operating sound level must not exceed 65 dB at a distance of 1 meter
5	Maximum current draw must be capped with thermal fuses to prevent overheating
6	Body elements must use off-the-shelf, easily machinable stock (acrylic sheets, 3D printed ABS/PLA)
7	External bumpers must utilize soft rubber/foam trim to prevent scuffing household furniture
8	Components and casing materials must be non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for indoor use
9	Maximum system operating voltage must stay under 12V DC for user safety and simplified charging

2.5 Problem Definition:

Version 2.5.1

Design an autonomous floor cleaning robot capable of providing hygienic and efficient cleaning, while remaining compact, low-profile, and user-friendly.

Version 2.5.2

Design an affordable, open-source modular floor cleaning robot capable of providing efficient cleaning through autonomous navigation and Bluetooth control, while remaining compact, low-profile, and user-friendly. The machine must fit within dimensions of 30 cm × 30 cm, weigh under 3.5 kg, operate continuously for 30–45 minutes per charge, maintain noise levels below 65 dB, incorporate cliff safety sensors and electrical fuse protection, and be manufactured within a budget of Rs. 3,500.

Version 2.5.3

Design an affordable, open-source modular floor cleaning robot capable of providing efficient cleaning through autonomous navigation and Bluetooth control, while remaining compact, low-profile, and user-friendly. The machine must fit within dimensions of 30 cm × 30 cm, weigh under 3.5 kg, operate continuously for 30–45 minutes per charge, maintain noise levels below 65 dB, incorporate cliff safety sensors and electrical fuse protection, and be manufactured within a budget of Rs. 3,500. The robot must sweep and vacuum dirt into a removable container, maneuver using DC geared motors, detect obstacles and stairs via ultrasonic/IR sensors, receive Bluetooth commands, and communicate status via LEDs and a buzzer.