Authenticated Coupling Assembly for Shared Mobility Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility devices for physically challenged persons are limited to indoor or short-distance outdoor use and require manual assistance for travel, and autonomous PMDs are expensive.
Innovation Solution
A transportation device with a receiver, mobility mechanism, and authentication module that can autonomously couple with a movable device, allowing it to drive to a specified location and move the device accordingly, along with a coupling assembly that adapts to different types of mobility devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single transportation device is shared across multiple movable devices through authentication and coupling mechanisms, then the cost is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for authentication modules, receivers, and selective coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation device is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple movable devices through an authentication module and selective coupling mechanism. The device can authenticate different movable devices and selectively couple to them, allowing one transportation device to replace multiple dedicated devices, thereby reducing the total quantity needed while managing complexity through standardized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
An authentication module acts as an intermediary between the transportation device and movable devices. This intermediary component verifies device identity and authorizes coupling, enabling selective engagement without requiring complex custom integration for each movable device type, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-device capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing mobility devices are used for indoor or short-distance outdoor usage, then the device complexity and cost are kept low, but the adaptability and usage scope are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device is enhanced with a coupling assembly that enables it to interface with the universal transportation device. This coupling assembly allows the mobility device to transition from standalone indoor use to outdoor use when coupled with the transportation device, expanding its usage scope without requiring the mobility device itself to become complex
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation device may include: a receiver configured to receive a coupling request including location information and device identity information; a mobility mechanism configured to drive the transportation device to a location indicated by the location information in the received coupling request; an authentication module configured to authenticate a movable device at the indicated location based on the device identity information in the received coupling request; and a coupler selectively engageable with the movable device based on the authentication, wherein on the selective engagement of the coupler with the movable device, movement of the transportation device correspondingly moves the movable device.