Sound Localization and Separation for Mobile Robot Tele-Operation by Tri-Concentric Microphone Array

The paper describes a tele-operated mobile robot system which can perform multiple sound source localization and separation using a 32-channel tri-concentric microphone array. Tele-operated mobile robots require two main capabilities: 1) audio/visual presentation of the robot’s environment to the operator, and 2) autonomy for mobility. This paper focuses on the auditory system of a tele-operated mobile robot in order to improve both the presentation of sound sources to the operator and also to facilitate autonomous robot actions. The auditory system is based on a 32-channel distributed microphone array that uses highly efficient directional design for localizing and separating multiple moving sound sources. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of interperson distant communication through the tele-operated robot system.