Autonomous Baggage Carts for Accurate Airport Bag Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional baggage handling systems (BHSs) are resource intensive, prone to routing errors, and require significant manual labor, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An automated and/or autonomous baggage handling system that includes conveyors, carts, and a control system capable of generating tagless IDs for bags using 3D images, tracking their movement, and optimizing cart navigation to reduce manual handling and errors, enhancing traceability and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional baggage handling systems are used, then baggage can be transported, but manual labor is required and routing errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated cart navigation and autonomous baggage handling. Carts autonomously navigate to destinations using control systems, and the system automatically tracks and manages baggage without requiring manual intervention for routing decisions, thereby reducing manual labor while maintaining manageable complexity through automation intelligence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated control systems. Instead of workers manually guiding carts and tracking baggage, the system uses electronic control systems, sensors, and software algorithms to automate navigation, tracking, and routing functions, substituting human mechanical labor with intelligent automated systems
2Reliability
If conventional baggage handling systems are used, then baggage can be transported, but routing errors and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through real-time tracking of cart locations and baggage status. The control system receives updates from carts and scan points, monitors baggage movement throughout the facility, and can dynamically adjust routing decisions to prevent errors and delays, ensuring reliable and timely baggage delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary routing planning and cart assignment before baggage transport begins. The control system pre-coordinates cart movements and prepares routing paths in advance, preventing conflicts and delays before they occur, thereby improving both routing accuracy and handling speed
3Productivity
If manual labor is used in baggage handling, then operations can be performed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs baggage handling operations autonomously without requiring human workers for routine tasks. Carts self-navigate, the system self-tracks baggage, and the control system self-manages routing decisions, dramatically improving productivity while eliminating the labor costs associated with manual operations
Data Source
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AI summary
Implementations are directed to a computer-implemented method that includes broadcasting, by one or more computing devices, a request that indicates a need for a number of carts at a location; receiving confirmation from one or more carts that accept the request, the one or more carts are carts that are close to the location; sending instructions to the one or more carts instructing the one or more carts to navigate to the location; receiving, from a scanner of a baggage handling system, scanned data of baggage that is loaded into the one or more carts assigned to transport the baggage; receiving, from each of the one or more carts, a message indicating the cart is full; and sending instructions to each cart to navigate to a destination of the baggage according to a list of bags inside each cart.