Traffic guiding method, robot, and program

Abstract

To provide a traffic guiding method and the like allowing a robot to provide other services according to a human flow state in addition to a traffic guide.SOLUTION: A traffic guiding method using a robot 20 acting in either acting modes of a traffic guiding mode for carrying out a traffic guide in relation to human flow and a service mode for carrying out action to provide services other than the traffic guide, comprises: an acquiring step S10 of acquiring human flow information; a determination step S30 of determining whether or not the human flow information satisfies a specific condition; and a control step S50 of controlling the robot 20 so as to act in the traffic guiding mode when the human flow information is determined to satisfy the specific condition, and controlling the robot 20 so as to act in a service mode when determining the human flow does not satisfy the specific condition in the determination step S30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a traffic guidance method, a robot, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for guiding traffic related to pedestrian flow have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-178358 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6998225 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Previously, efforts have been made to use robots to guide people flow.

[0005] However, if the robot to be introduced only performs traffic control, the traffic control provided by the robot may not be profitable.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a traffic guidance method etc. that enables a robot to provide other services in addition to traffic guidance depending on the people flow control situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A traffic guidance method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a traffic guidance method performed using a robot that operates in one of two operating modes: a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to people flow, and a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring people flow information related to people flow, a determination step of determining whether the people flow information satisfies predetermined conditions, and a control step of controlling the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode if it is determined in the determination step that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined conditions, and controlling the robot to operate in the service mode if it is determined that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0008] A robot according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a robot that operates in either a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to people flow, or a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, and has an acquisition unit that acquires people flow information related to people flow, a determination unit that determines whether the people flow information satisfies predetermined conditions, and a control unit that controls the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode when the determination unit determines that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined conditions, and controls the robot to operate in the service mode when the determination unit determines that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a system including a computer to execute a traffic guidance process using a robot that operates in either an operating mode of a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to people flow, or a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, and the traffic guidance process includes an acquisition step of acquiring people flow information related to people flow, a determination step of determining whether the people flow information satisfies predetermined conditions, and a control step of controlling the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode if it is determined in the determination step that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined conditions, and controlling the robot to operate in the service mode if it is determined that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to a traffic guidance method etc. relating to one aspect of the present disclosure, a traffic guidance method etc. is provided in which a robot can provide other services depending on the people flow control situation in addition to traffic guidance related to people flow. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a traffic guidance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the robot according to the embodiment is performing a stopping restriction operation as an example of traffic guidance. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the robot according to the embodiment performs a sales operation as an example of service provision. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a service table according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a service table according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by an input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6E] FIG. 6E is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6F] FIG. 6F is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6G] FIG. 6G is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the traffic guidance process according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the setting process according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] (How one aspect of the present disclosure was achieved) As described above, in a system that uses robots to guide people flow, if the robots introduced only perform traffic guidance, the traffic guidance provided by the robots may not be profitable.

[0013] In response to this, the inventors thought that if the robot to be introduced could, in addition to its basic function of traffic control, perform other functions (e.g., advertising functions, sales functions, etc.) depending on the people flow control situation, the profitability of the traffic control provided by the above system could be improved.

[0014] Based on this idea, the inventors conducted further experiments and studies and came up with the traffic guidance method etc. according to the present disclosure described below.

[0015] A traffic guidance method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a traffic guidance method performed using a robot that operates in one of two operating modes: a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to people flow, and a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring people flow information related to people flow, a determination step of determining whether the people flow information satisfies predetermined conditions, and a control step of controlling the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode if it is determined in the determination step that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined conditions, and controlling the robot to operate in the service mode if it is determined that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0016] According to the above traffic guidance method, the robot can switch between performing traffic guidance related to pedestrian flow and providing other services, depending on the pedestrian flow control situation indicated by the acquired pedestrian flow information.

[0017] In this way, according to the above traffic guidance method, a traffic guidance method is provided in which the robot can provide other services in accordance with the people flow control situation in addition to traffic guidance related to people flow.

[0018] Furthermore, the method may further include a condition setting step of setting the predetermined condition.

[0019] This allows a user who uses the traffic guidance method to set the predetermined conditions used in the determination step to conditions desired by the user.

[0020] The method may further include a traffic guidance type setting step of setting a traffic guidance type of the traffic guidance, and a service type setting step of setting a service type of the service, and in the control step, when the robot is controlled to operate in the traffic guidance mode, the robot is controlled to perform the traffic guidance of the traffic guidance type, and when the robot is controlled to operate in the service mode, the robot is controlled to provide the service of the service type.

[0021] This allows a user using the traffic guidance method to set the type of traffic guidance performed by the robot to the type desired by the user, and to set the service type of the service provided by the robot to the type desired by the user.

[0022] Furthermore, the method may further include a situation setting step of setting an operating time zone and / or an operating range within which the robot operates, and in the control step, the robot may be controlled based on the operating time zone and / or the operating range.

[0023] This allows a user using the traffic guidance method to set the operating hours and / or operating range during which the robot operates to the operating hours and / or operating range desired by the user.

[0024] A robot according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a robot that operates in either a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to people flow, or a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, and has an acquisition unit that acquires people flow information related to people flow, a determination unit that determines whether the people flow information satisfies predetermined conditions, and a control unit that controls the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode when the determination unit determines that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined conditions, and controls the robot to operate in the service mode when the determination unit determines that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0025] According to the above-mentioned robot, it becomes possible to switch between performing an operation of guiding traffic related to pedestrian flow and an operation of providing other services depending on the pedestrian flow control situation indicated by the acquired pedestrian flow information.

[0026] In this way, according to the above robot, in addition to guiding traffic related to people flow, a robot is provided that can provide other services depending on the people flow control situation.

[0027] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a system including a computer to execute a traffic guidance process using a robot that operates in either an operating mode of a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to people flow, or a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, and the traffic guidance process includes an acquisition step of acquiring people flow information related to people flow, a determination step of determining whether the people flow information satisfies predetermined conditions, and a control step of controlling the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode if it is determined in the determination step that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined conditions, and controlling the robot to operate in the service mode if it is determined that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0028] According to the above program, the robot will be able to switch between performing an action of guiding traffic related to pedestrian flow and an action of providing other services, depending on the pedestrian flow control situation indicated by the pedestrian flow information it acquires.

[0029] In this way, according to the above program, a program is provided that enables the robot to provide other services in accordance with the people flow control situation in addition to guiding traffic related to people flow.

[0030] Hereinafter, a specific example of a traffic guidance system according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment shown here shows one specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement and connection of the components, steps (processes) and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0031] (Embodiment) <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a traffic guidance system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the traffic guidance system 1 includes a server device 10, one or more robots 20, and a user terminal 30.

[0033] In FIG. 1, the robot 20 provided in the traffic guidance system 1 is illustrated as if it were one unit, but the number of robots 20 provided in the traffic guidance system 1 may be one or more and is not necessarily limited to a configuration of one unit.

[0034] The robot 20 is a robot that operates in either a traffic guidance mode in which it performs traffic guidance related to the flow of people, or a service mode in which it performs an operation to provide a service other than traffic guidance.

[0035] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing the robot 20 in a traffic guidance mode performing a stopping restriction operation as an example of traffic guidance, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the robot 20 in a service mode performing a sales operation as an example of service provision.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the robot 20 performs a traffic guidance action (here, a stopping restriction action) when the number of people passing through a specified route per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and performs a service action (here, a sales action) different from the traffic guidance action when the number of people passing through a specified route per unit time is less than the predetermined value.

[0037] The robot 20 may be, for example, a humanoid robot capable of autonomous travel, a drone capable of autonomous flight, or a robot that does not move autonomously.

[0038] Examples of robots that do not move autonomously include stationary robots whose installation location can be changed by human power, etc., and robots that can be moved by remote control by humans.

[0039] The robot 20 may be configured to include, for example, a processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)), memory (e.g., a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory)), various sensors, various communication modules, various input / output interfaces, various actuators, etc., and the processor executing a program stored in the memory may control the components of the robot 20 to realize various functions.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the traffic guidance system 1 will be continued.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the robot 20 includes a people flow detection unit 21, an acquisition unit 22, a determination unit 23, a service determination unit 24, a control unit 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0042] The server device 10 is a device that performs various settings for the robot 20. The various settings that the server device 10 performs for the robot 20 will be described later.

[0043] The server device 10 may be realized, for example, by one computer device having a communication function, or may be realized by a plurality of computer devices having a communication function that cooperate with each other.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 10 includes a situation setting unit 11, a traffic guidance type setting unit 12, a condition setting unit 13, and a communication unit .

[0045] The user terminal 30 is a terminal through which a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1 performs various inputs and outputs to the traffic guidance system 1.

[0046] The user terminal 30 may be realized, for example, by a personal computer having a communication function, or may be realized by a mobile device such as a smartphone having a communication function.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 30 includes an input / output interface unit 31 and a communication unit 32.

[0048] The components of the robot 20, the server device 10, and the user terminal 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

[0049] The communication unit 26 communicates with the server device 10. The information that the communication unit 26 receives from the server device 10 includes an ignition condition indicating a condition for the robot 20 to switch the operation mode between a traffic guidance mode and a service mode, a traffic guidance type indicating a type of traffic guidance performed by the robot 20, a service type indicating a type of service provided by the robot 20, an operation time period indicating a time period during which the robot 20 operates, and an operation range indicating a range within which the robot 20 operates.

[0050] Types of traffic guidance performed by the robot 20 include, for example, detour guidance to guide passersby to a detour, entry control to restrict people from entering, stopping control to restrict passersby from stopping, surveillance to monitor a surveillance area, direction restriction to restrict the direction in which passersby can move, lineup guidance to guide a crowd to line up, and sequential progress guidance to guide people sequentially into a guidance area.

[0051] The types of services provided by the robot 20 include, for example, advertising, which displays advertisements to passersby, guidance, which gives directions to passersby, sales, which sells items to passersby, and sampling, which distributes service items (e.g., tissues, gift certificates, etc.) to passersby.

[0052] Specific examples of ignition conditions will be described later.

[0053] The people flow detection unit 21 includes a sensor that detects information related to people flow, and generates people flow information related to people flow based on the detection result by the sensor.

[0054] The people flow detection unit 21 may, for example, be equipped with an imaging element that captures images and generate people flow information by performing image processing on the images captured by the imaging element, or may, for example, be equipped with a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) that captures distance images and generate people flow information by performing image processing on the distance images captured by the LiDAR.

[0055] The people flow information may be, for example, information indicating the number of people passing through a specified route per unit time, information indicating the presence of a person entering a restricted access area, information indicating the number of people stopping in a specified area for a specified period of time or longer, information indicating the density of people in a specified area, information indicating the degree of disorder in a queue of a crowd, or information indicating that there is vacancy at an event venue.

[0056] The people flow detection unit 21 sequentially and repeatedly generates people flow information. The people flow detection unit 21 may generate people flow information at a predetermined cycle (for example, every minute), for example.

[0057] The acquisition unit 22 acquires, from the people flow detection unit 21, the people flow information generated by the people flow detection unit 21.

[0058] At this time, the acquisition unit 22 sequentially and repeatedly acquires the people flow information sequentially and repeatedly generated by the people flow detection unit 21 each time.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the acquiring unit 22 is described as acquiring the people flow information from the people flow detection unit 21 provided in the robot 20, but in the traffic guidance system 1, the people flow detection unit 21 is not necessarily limited to being provided in the robot 20. In the case where the people flow detection unit 21 is provided in an external device of the robot 20 (for example, a surveillance camera installed outdoors), the acquiring unit 22 may acquire the people flow information from the people flow detection unit 21 provided in the external device.

[0060] The determination unit 23 determines whether the people flow information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 satisfies the ignition condition received by the communication unit 26 or not.

[0061] At this time, the determination unit 23 repeatedly performs the above determination on the people flow information which the determination unit 23 repeatedly acquires each time.

[0062] When the judgment unit 23 determines that the pedestrian flow information satisfies the ignition condition, the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 to operate in a traffic guidance mode (hereinafter, this control is also referred to as "traffic guidance mode control"), and when the judgment unit 23 determines that the pedestrian flow information does not satisfy the ignition condition, the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 to operate in a service mode (hereinafter, this control is also referred to as "service mode control").

[0063] At this time, the control unit 25 continues to perform the traffic guidance mode control during a period in which it is repeatedly determined that the pedestrian flow information satisfies the ignition condition in the above-mentioned determination sequentially and repeatedly performed by the determination unit 23, and continues to perform the service mode control during a period in which it is repeatedly determined that the pedestrian flow information does not satisfy the ignition condition. Then, the control unit 25 changes the control of the robot 20 from the traffic guidance mode control to the service mode control when the determination is changed from a determination that the pedestrian flow information satisfies the ignition condition to a determination that the pedestrian flow information does not satisfy the ignition condition in the above-mentioned determination sequentially and repeatedly performed by the determination unit 23, and changes the control of the robot 20 from the service mode control to the traffic guidance mode control when the determination is changed from a determination that the pedestrian flow information does not satisfy the ignition condition to a determination that the pedestrian flow information satisfies the ignition condition.

[0064] At this time, the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 so that the robot 20 operates within the range indicated by the operating range received by the communication unit 26, during the time period indicated by the operating time period received by the communication unit 26.

[0065] In addition, at this time, when the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 to operate in a traffic guidance mode, it controls the robot 20 to perform traffic guidance of the type indicated by the traffic guidance type received by the communication unit 26, and when the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 to operate in a service mode, it controls the robot 20 to provide a service of the type determined by the service determination unit 24 described below.

[0066] The service determination unit 24 determines the type of service to be provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode.

[0067] When the number of service types received by the communication unit 26 is one, the service determination unit 24 determines the type of service indicated by the service type as the type of service to be provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode.

[0068] When there are multiple service types received by the communication unit 26, the service determination unit 24 determines the type of service to be provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode from among the types of services indicated by those service types based on a predetermined service table.

[0069] FIG. 3A is an example of a service table used by the service determination unit 24 to determine the type of service to be provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode when the type of traffic guidance indicated by the traffic guidance type received by the communication unit 26 is stopping restriction and the type of service indicated by the service type received by the communication unit 26 is sales and advertising.

[0070] For example, when the type of traffic guidance indicated by the traffic guidance type received by the communication unit 26 is stopping restriction, and the type of service indicated by the service type received by the communication unit 26 is sales and advertising, the service determination unit 24 determines, based on the service table shown in FIG. 3A, (1) the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode to be sales when the number of people staying in a specified area indicated by the people flow information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is relatively small and the people flow rate in the specified area is relatively low or relatively medium, (2) the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode to be advertising when the number of people staying in a specified area indicated by the people flow information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is relatively medium and the people flow rate in the specified area is relatively low or relatively medium, and (3) the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode to be advertising when the number of people staying in a specified area indicated by the people flow information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is relatively large and the people flow rate in the specified area is relatively low.

[0071] It should be noted that the conditions corresponding to the cells marked with "-" in FIG. 3A correspond to the conditions under which the robot 20 operates in the traffic guidance mode.

[0072] In addition, for example, when the type of traffic guidance indicated by the traffic guidance type received by the communication unit 26 is monitoring, and the type of service indicated by the service type received by the communication unit 26 is advertising and sampling, the service determination unit 24 may determine, based on the service table shown in FIG. 3B, (1) when the pedestrian flow rate in a specified area is relatively low as indicated by the pedestrian flow information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 regardless of the time of day, that the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode is sampling; (2) when the pedestrian flow rate in a specified area is relatively high as indicated by the pedestrian flow information acquired by the acquisition unit 22 regardless of the time of day, that the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode is advertising; (3) when the time of day is morning or evening and the pedestrian flow rate in the specified area is relatively medium, that the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode is advertising; and (4) when the time of day is daytime and the pedestrian flow rate in the specified area is relatively medium, that the type of service provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode is sampling.

[0073] The service determination unit 24 may change the service table to be used depending on the context of the target area (for example, whether it is a pedestrian zone or not) and the like.

[0074] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the traffic guidance system 1 will be continued.

[0075] The input / output interface unit 31 accepts input operations by a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1. In addition, the input / output interface unit 31 outputs information to the user who uses the traffic guidance system 1.

[0076] The input / output interface unit 31 may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel, or may be configured to include, for example, a keyboard and a display, or may be configured to include, for example, a speaker.

[0077] The communication unit 32 communicates with the server device 10. Information received by the communication unit 32 from the server device 10 includes information to be output by the input / output interface unit 31. Information transmitted from the communication unit 32 to the server device 10 includes information based on an operation performed on the input / output interface unit 31 by a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1.

[0078] The communication unit 14 communicates with the robot 20 and the user terminal 30 .

[0079] The situation setting unit 11 sets a situation in which the robot 20 operates, including the operating time period during which the robot 20 operates, and the operating time period during which the robot 20 operates, based on the operation of the input / output interface unit 31 by a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1.

[0080] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when a user of the traffic guidance system 1 is performing an operation on the situation setting unit 11 to set a situation in which the robot 20 will operate.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4, the situation setting unit 11 may, for example, load a map including an operating range within which the robot 20 will operate, accept a specification of the operating range for the loaded map and a specification of the event venue, and may also accept a start time and an end time for the operating period.

[0082] At this time, the situation setting unit 11 may accept information that is not set in the loaded map (for example, the presence or absence of an intersection) or may accept the context of a specific area (for example, a road closure due to the implementation of a pedestrian zone).

[0083] In addition, at this time, the situation setting unit 11 may read information related to the flow of people in a specific area from an external device, or may accept an input operation to the user terminal 30 from a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1.

[0084] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the traffic guidance system 1 will be continued.

[0085] The traffic guidance type setting unit 12 sets the type of traffic guidance to be performed by the robot 20 based on the operation of the input / output interface unit 31 by the user who uses the traffic guidance system 1.

[0086] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when a user of the traffic guidance system 1 is performing an operation on the traffic guidance type setting unit 12 to set the type of traffic guidance to be performed by the robot 20.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, the traffic guidance type setting unit 12 may set a type of traffic guidance for each spot.

[0088] At this time, the traffic guidance type setting unit 12 may accept the type of robot 20 for each spot. The example shown in Fig. 5 is an example in which an autonomously running humanoid robot, an autonomously flying drone, a human (traffic guide), and a stationary color cone (registered trademark) can be selected as the types of robot that can be accepted.

[0089] At this time, the traffic guidance type setting unit 12 may receive the setting of the operating time period for each spot.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the traffic guidance system 1 will be continued.

[0091] The condition setting unit 13 sets an ignition condition indicating a condition for switching the operation mode of the robot 20 between a traffic guidance mode and a service mode, based on an operation of the input / output interface unit 31 by a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1. The condition setting unit 13 further sets a service type indicating a type of service provided by the robot 20, based on an operation of the input / output interface unit 31 by a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1.

[0092] 6A to 6G are schematic diagrams showing examples of images displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when a user of the traffic guidance system 1 is performing operations on the condition setting unit 13 to set ignition conditions and a service type.

[0093] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is detour guidance.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 6A, when the traffic guidance type is detour guidance, the condition setting unit 13 may set the number of people passing through the main route per hour to 300 as the ignition condition, and set advertisement and sales as the service types.

[0095] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the detour route to be set may be displayed on a map.

[0096] Here, the third mark in the column of "Setting of provided services" in Fig. 6A indicates that a service table designated by a user who uses the traffic guidance system 1 is accepted. In this way, when there are multiple service types to be set, the condition setting unit 13 may accept service tables corresponding to these service types.

[0097] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is entry restriction.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 6B, when the traffic guidance type is entry restriction, the condition setting unit 13 may set the presence of a person entering an entry restriction area as an ignition condition, and set advertisement as the service type.

[0099] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, the boundary line of the entry restricted area to be set may be displayed on the map.

[0100] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, when a person enters an access restricted area, a designation of an event to be triggered against that person may be accepted.

[0101] FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is stopping regulation.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 6C, when the traffic guidance type is stopping restriction, the condition setting unit 13 may set the ignition condition to be that there is one or more people who have been standing in the area where the stopping restriction is implemented for 30 seconds or more, and may set advertising and sales as the service type.

[0103] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6C, a designation of an event to be triggered for a person who stops for 30 seconds or more in an area where stopping restrictions are implemented may be accepted.

[0104] FIG. 6D is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is surveillance.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 6D, when the traffic guidance type is monitoring, the condition setting unit 13 may set the start time and end time of the operating time period as the ignition condition, and set advertisement and sampling as the service type.

[0106] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6D, a designation may be accepted that the data to be transmitted from the robot 20 to the outside is to be limited to images only.

[0107] FIG. 6E is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is a travel direction restriction.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 6E, when the traffic guidance type is a travel direction restriction, the condition setting unit 13 may set the presence of a person traveling in a direction different from the restricted travel direction as an ignition condition, and set advertising as the service type.

[0109] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6E, a designation of an event to be triggered for a person proceeding in a direction different from the restricted proceeding direction may be accepted.

[0110] FIG. 6F is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is lineup guidance.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 6F, when the traffic guidance type is queue guidance, the condition setting unit 13 may set a disruption of queue as an ignition condition and set an advertisement as a service type.

[0112] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6F, a designation of an event to be triggered against the person disrupting the queue may be accepted.

[0113] FIG. 6G is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the traffic guidance type is sequential progress guidance.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6G, when the traffic guidance type is sequential progress guidance, the condition setting unit 13 may set the occurrence of vacant space in an event venue as an ignition condition, and set advertisement as the service type.

[0115] At this time, as shown in FIG. 6G, a designation of an event to be carried out when an empty space occurs in the event venue, in which people are made to proceed two at a time from the front of the queue to a predetermined area, may be accepted.

[0116] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the traffic guidance system 1 will be continued.

[0117] The condition setting unit 13 may further present the contents of these various settings to a user using the traffic guidance system 1 when the situation setting unit 11 sets the situation in which the robot 20 operates, the traffic guidance type setting unit 12 sets the type of traffic guidance performed by the robot 20, and the condition setting unit 13 sets the ignition conditions and the type of service provided by the robot 20, and accept corrections from the user if necessary.

[0118] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the input / output interface unit 31 when the condition setting unit 13 presents the contents of the various settings set by the situation setting unit 11, the traffic guidance type setting unit 12, and the condition setting unit 13 to a user using the traffic guidance system 1.

[0119] <Operation> The operation of the traffic guidance system 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

[0120] The traffic guidance system 1 uses the robot 20 to perform a traffic guidance process for guiding traffic related to people flow or providing services, and a setting process for making various settings related to the operations performed by the robot 20.

[0121] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the traffic guidance process performed by the traffic guidance system 1.

[0122] The traffic guidance process is started, for example, when the robot 20 receives the ignition conditions, the traffic guidance type, the service type, and the operating time period from the server device 10, and then an operation is performed on the robot 20 to start the traffic guidance process.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 8, when the traffic guidance process is started, the people flow detection unit 21 generates people flow information related to people flow based on the detection result by a sensor that detects information related to people flow (step S10).

[0124] When the people flow information is generated by the people flow detection unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the generated people flow information from the people flow detection unit 21 (step S20).

[0125] When the people flow information is acquired, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not the acquired people flow information satisfies an ignition condition (step S30).

[0126] In the process of step S30, if the acquired people flow information does not satisfy the ignition condition (step S30: No), the service determination unit 24 determines the type of service to be provided by the robot 20 operating in the service mode (step S40).

[0127] When the type of service is determined, the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 to provide the determined type of service, that is, controls the robot 20 to operate in a service mode (step S50A).

[0128] In the processing of step S30, if the acquired pedestrian flow information satisfies the ignition condition (step S30: Yes), the control unit 25 controls the robot 20 to perform traffic guidance of the type indicated by the traffic guidance type, i.e., controls the robot 20 to operate in traffic guidance mode (step S50B).

[0129] Here, the process of step S50A and the process of step S50B are both processes in which the control unit 25 controls the robot 20. For this reason, the process consisting of the process of step S50A and the process of step S50B is also referred to as the process of step S50.

[0130] When the process of step S50A is completed, or when the process of step S50B is completed, that is, when the process of step S50 is completed, the traffic guidance process proceeds to the process of step S10.

[0131] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the setting process performed by the traffic guidance system 1.

[0132] The setting process is started, for example, when an operation to start the setting process is performed on the user terminal 30.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 9, when the setting process is started, the situation setting unit 11 sets a situation in which the robot 20 operates, including an operating time zone in which the robot 20 operates and an operating range in which the robot 20 operates (step S110).

[0134] When the situation in which the robot 20 operates is set, the traffic guidance type setting unit 12 sets the type of traffic guidance to be performed by the robot 20 (step S120).

[0135] When the type of traffic guidance to be performed by the robot 20 is set, the condition setting unit 13 sets an ignition condition indicating a condition for switching the operation mode of the robot 20 between a traffic guidance mode and a service mode (step S130).

[0136] When the ignition condition is set, or in parallel with the setting of the ignition condition, the condition setting unit 13 sets a service type indicating the type of service provided by the robot 20 (step S140).

[0137] When the process of step S140 ends, the setting process ends.

[0138] <Consideration> According to the traffic guidance system 1 having the above configuration, the robot 20 can switch between performing an operation of performing traffic guidance related to pedestrian flow and an operation of providing other services, depending on the pedestrian flow control situation indicated by the acquired pedestrian flow information.

[0139] In this way, according to the traffic guidance system 1 configured as above, a traffic guidance system is provided in which the robot 20 can provide other services in accordance with the people flow control situation in addition to traffic guidance related to people flow.

[0140] Furthermore, according to the traffic guidance system 1 configured as above, it is possible to realize both traffic guidance and the provision of other services by using one robot 20, without using two robots, one dedicated to traffic guidance and the other dedicated to providing other services.

[0141] Therefore, according to the traffic guidance system 1 configured as above, it is possible to reduce power consumption compared to a system that uses two robots, one dedicated to traffic guidance and the other dedicated to providing other services, to achieve both traffic guidance and the provision of other services.

[0142] (supplement) As described above, the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art to the present embodiment, or forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments or modifications, may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0143] A comprehensive or specific aspect of the present disclosure may be realized in a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Also, the present disclosure may be realized in any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a program, and a non-transitory recording medium. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a program for causing a computer device to execute at least a part of the processing performed by the server device 10, the robot 20, and / or the user terminal 30.

[0144] (1) In the embodiment, the traffic guidance system 1 has been described as including a server device 10 having a situation setting unit 11, a traffic guidance type setting unit 12, and a condition setting unit 13, a robot 20 having a people flow detection unit 21, an acquisition unit 22, a determination unit 23, a service determination unit 24, and a control unit 25, and a user terminal 30 having an input / output interface unit 31. However, the configuration of the traffic guidance system 1 does not need to be limited to the above configuration, and may be, for example, a configuration in which at least a part of the components of the server device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the robot 20 or the user terminal 30, a configuration in which at least a part of the components of the robot 20 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the server device 10 or the user terminal 30, or a configuration in which at least a part of the components of the user terminal 30 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the server device 10 or the robot 20.

[0145] (2) In the present embodiment, the types of traffic guidance performed by the robot 20 have been described mainly as those that the robot 20 can perform alone. However, when the traffic guidance system 1 includes a plurality of robots 20, the types of traffic guidance performed by the robot 20 may include those that are premised on the plurality of robots 20 performing the traffic guidance in cooperation with each other. For example, the types of traffic guidance performed by the robot 20 may include an emergency support service that supports the traffic guidance performed by the other robots 20 when the traffic guidance performed by the other robots 20 becomes saturated. [Industrial Applicability]

[0146] The present disclosure is widely applicable to systems for traffic guidance and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1. Traffic Guidance System 10. Server device 11 Situation Setting Section 12 Traffic guidance type setting section 13 Condition setting section 14, 26, 32 Communications Department 20. Robot 21 People flow detection unit 22 Acquisition Department 23 Judgment section 24 Service Decision Department 25 Control Unit 30 User terminals 31 Input / Output Interface Section

Claims

1. A traffic guidance method using a robot that operates in either a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to pedestrian flow or a service mode that performs an operation to provide a service different from the traffic guidance, An acquisition step of acquiring people flow information relating to people flow; A determination step of determining whether the people flow information satisfies a predetermined condition; and a control step of controlling the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode when it is determined in the determination step that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined condition, and controlling the robot to operate in the service mode when it is determined that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined condition. Traffic guidance method.

2. Further, the method includes a condition setting step for setting the predetermined condition. The traffic guidance method according to claim 1.

3. moreover, A traffic guidance type setting step of setting a traffic guidance type of the traffic guidance; A service type setting step of setting a service type of the service, In the control step, when the robot is controlled to operate in the traffic guidance mode, the robot is controlled to perform the traffic guidance of the traffic guidance type, and when the robot is controlled to operate in the service mode, the robot is controlled to provide the service of the service type. The traffic guidance method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Further, a situation setting step is provided for setting an operating time period during which the robot operates and / or an operating range during which the robot operates, In the control step, the robot is controlled based on the operating time period and / or the operating range. The traffic guidance method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A robot that operates in one of an operation mode of a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to a flow of people and a service mode that performs an operation of providing a service different from the traffic guidance, An acquisition unit that acquires people flow information related to people flow; A determination unit that determines whether the people flow information satisfies a predetermined condition; and a control unit that controls the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode when the determination unit determines that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined condition, and controls the robot to operate in the service mode when the determination unit determines that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined condition. robot.

6. A program for causing a system including a computer to execute a traffic guidance process using a robot that operates in either an operation mode of a traffic guidance mode that performs traffic guidance related to a flow of people or a service mode that performs an operation of providing a service different from the traffic guidance, The traffic guidance process includes: An acquisition step of acquiring people flow information relating to people flow; A determination step of determining whether the people flow information satisfies a predetermined condition; and a control step of controlling the robot to operate in the traffic guidance mode when it is determined in the determination step that the people flow information satisfies the predetermined condition, and controlling the robot to operate in the service mode when it is determined that the people flow information does not satisfy the predetermined condition. program.

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