Autonomous Agent Wayfinding via Remote Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack the ability to efficiently guide unattended autonomous agents, such as drones or self-driving vehicles, around impediments in their path, leading to service disruptions and inefficiencies in on-demand services.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize wayfinding devices equipped with sensors to detect impediments and receive updated wayfinding instructions from a remote computer, allowing agents to autonomously navigate and recalculate their route in real-time to ensure service completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous agents follow predetermined paths without real-time obstacle detection, then navigation simplicity is maintained, but service reliability deteriorates due to inability to handle impediments
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the agent's location and detected impediments, comparing actual progress against the predetermined path. When deviations or obstacles are detected, the system feeds back updated wayfinding instructions to the agent, enabling dynamic adaptation while maintaining overall system simplicity through centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous agent is equipped with sensors and communication capabilities that enable it to self-detect impediments, self-report its status, and self-adjust its navigation by receiving updated instructions, reducing the need for complex external intervention systems
2Reliability
If real-time obstacle detection and path recalculation is implemented, then service reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized server acts as an intermediary between the autonomous agent and the obstacle detection system. The server receives sensor data from the agent, processes path recalculation, and generates updated wayfinding instructions, simplifying the agent's design while enabling complex real-time navigation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes communication protocols and path recalculation algorithms before the agent begins navigation. When obstacles are detected, the pre-configured system rapidly generates alternative paths without requiring complex real-time decision-making at the agent level
3Productivity
If unattended autonomous navigation is used, then operational efficiency is improved, but ability to handle unexpected impediments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous feedback loops between the autonomous agent's sensors, location tracking, and the centralized server. This enables unattended operation while simultaneously providing real-time adaptability, as the agent can receive updated wayfinding instructions without human intervention when impediments are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual navigation control with automated sensor-based detection and algorithmic path recalculation. Electronic and software-based systems substitute for mechanical human operation, enabling both unattended efficiency and adaptive response to unexpected conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A system (and method and computer product) to provide a service using an autonomous agent and wayfinding instructions includes a processor and a memory device accessible to the processor. The memory device stores a set of machine-readable instructions to permit the processor to execute a method for providing a service using agents capable of autonomously navigating unattended within a service area, as guided along a predetermined path based on receiving wayfinding instructions. The processor includes a communication port to permit a communication during assignments with one or more communication devices on a wayfinding device carried by or attached to an agent selected for implementing an assignment. The method includes receiving a request for the service from a user at a first location for the service to start as originating at the first location and to end at a destination at a second location; mapping a routing between a current location of the agent selected to implement the service request as an assignment to the first location and a mapping between the first location and the destination at the second location; and dispatching the agent selected for the assignment from the agent's current location to the first location, to meet up the user making the request for service, the agent being guided to the first location using wayfinding guidance instructions received via a receiver on or attached to the wayfinding device. The agent has a capability to respond to wayfinding guidance instructions received via the wayfinding device.