Autonomous Kiosk Deployment for Transport Hub Congestion Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing passenger volumes at transport hubs, such as airports, lead to congestion and inefficiencies, particularly in unexpected circumstances like flight cancellations or bad weather, requiring manual intervention for resource management.
Innovation Solution
A mobile drive apparatus with wireless communication and control means that can autonomously navigate to specific locations within the transport hub based on data analysis from various sources, allowing dynamic deployment of interactive kiosks to alleviate congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual resource management is used to handle unexpected circumstances, then passenger service can be provided, but congestion and inefficiency increase due to slow response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual resource management with an automated system that uses sensors, processors, and communication modules to detect congestion and dynamically relocate resources. The system automatically monitors passenger flow metrics and triggers resource relocation without human intervention, eliminating the slow response time associated with manual management while maintaining service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables resources to autonomously navigate to congested areas using onboard drive mechanisms and navigation systems. Each resource unit can self-direct to where it is needed based on real-time data from the monitoring system, eliminating the need for manual deployment and significantly reducing response time while improving overall productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If static resource deployment is used, then infrastructure complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing passenger volumes and unexpected events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static resource deployment into a dynamic system where resources can automatically relocate based on real-time passenger flow data. The system incorporates movable platforms with drive mechanisms that enable resources to transition between locations, providing adaptability to changing conditions while the automated control logic manages the complexity of coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multi-functional resource units that can operate in multiple locations and serve different functions based on demand. Each resource unit is equipped with both service capabilities and self-propulsion capabilities, allowing it to function as both a service provider and an autonomous mobile unit, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If more staff are deployed to manage congestion, then passenger service quality improves, but operational costs and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of passenger flow metrics using sensors and data collection modules. This feedback loop enables the system to detect congestion patterns and automatically trigger resource relocation, maintaining high service reliability through data-driven decisions rather than requiring increased staff quantities for manual monitoring and management.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs the monitoring, analysis, and resource deployment functions that would otherwise require staff intervention. The self-service capability of the system to detect and respond to congestion conditions maintains service reliability while eliminating the need for additional staff, thereby reducing operational costs and resource requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A resource management system is disclosed for managing deployment of one or more mobile drive apparatus in a transport hub. The system can include a data input module configured to receive data from one or more data sources, said data relating to the transport hub. The system can include a process director coupled to the data input module and configured to: analyse the data received via the data input module and determine whether one or more threshold criteria has been met. The system can include a resource communication module coupled to the process director. The resource communication module can be configured to issue a command instruction to one or more mobile drive apparatus when the process director has determined that the one or more threshold criteria has been met.