Design and Development of a Small UGV for Object Retrieval in Domestic Environments

The objective of this project is to develop an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) prototype capable of retrieving small objects in domestic environments. As the robotics field continues to advance, the demand for autonomous systems that enhance daily life is rapidly increasing. Autonomous systems have the potential to improve efficiency by performing routine tasks, thereby reducing human effort and promoting convenience in household settings. This study explores the development of a small UGV designed to identify, navigate toward, and retrieve small objects while autonomously avoiding obstacles such as walls and furniture in domestic environments. The system utilizes neural networks for real-time object detection. The UGV design consists of an object retrieval mechanism suitable for handling items typically left scattered in domestic environments. The proof-of-concept results show the potential of designed UGV domestic, and could potentially enable further advancements in autonomous household assistance technologies.