Autonomous Ambulance Drive-by-Wire Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical drone technologies are limited in carrying payloads over short distances and are not capable of transporting patients to emergency rooms, as they are designed for small loads and short-range delivery, whereas there is a need for a ground-based autonomous solution that can transport patients to the nearest treatment facilities and perform functions typically done by human ambulance drivers and paramedics.
Innovation Solution
A ground autonomous ambulance system equipped with a drive-by-wire kit, road network database, sensors for obstacle detection, a control system, and a method for securing patients, allowing it to navigate routes autonomously, perform emergency maneuvers, and include health monitoring instruments, with the capability to position itself efficiently for patient loading and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional drones are used for medical delivery, then small payloads can be delivered over short distances, but they cannot transport patients to emergency rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The ambulance is divided into functional modules: autonomous driving system, patient transport system, medical equipment system, and communication system. This segmentation allows the vehicle to handle heavy patient payloads while maintaining specialized medical capabilities that traditional drones lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from aerial drone delivery to ground-based autonomous ambulance, changing the operational dimension from air to land. This enables the vehicle to carry heavy patient loads over longer distances while providing comprehensive medical care during transport.
2Productivity
If human ambulance drivers and paramedics are used, then patient transport and care functions are performed, but time is consumed that could be dedicated to critical care tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The ambulance is equipped with autonomous driving capabilities that enable the vehicle to navigate, park, and perform transport functions independently. This self-service capability frees paramedics from driving tasks, allowing them to concentrate entirely on patient care and medical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual driving system is replaced with an autonomous vehicle control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to perform driving functions. This substitution transfers the mechanical task of driving from human operators to an automated system, improving overall response efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicle systems are added to the ambulance, then driving functions are automated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous ambulance is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines emergency medical services with autonomous vehicle operations. By integrating these functions into a single system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to coordinating separate drone delivery and manual ambulance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to the development of a ground autonomous ambulance that is designed to follow routes that is comprised of an autonomous vehicle that includes a drive by wire kit, a database storing the collection routes, a database of rules of the road and/or other legal allowable behavior, sensors for detecting the pedestrians, cars, and other road obstacles, and a control system that controls the vehicle to follow routes and which is capable of carrying and securing a stretcher or wheelchair. The autonomous ambulance also has a robotic stretcher which is used for transporting patients from their residences or other emergency locations to the ambulance.