Autonomous Mobile Robot for Terminal Baggage Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transportation terminals face inefficiencies in check-in processes and baggage handling, requiring improved infrastructure and manual intervention for self-service and baggage transportation.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mobile robot that can receive, secure, and transport items independently within a transportation terminal, using sensors, manipulator systems, and security mechanisms to navigate and perform tasks without continuous human control, enabling self-service check-in, baggage handling, and other hospitality services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual check-in and baggage handling processes are used, then service flexibility and customer interaction are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile robot enables self-service check-in and baggage handling by autonomously navigating the terminal, receiving items from travelers, securing them in locked compartments, and transporting them to destinations without requiring airport personnel intervention. The robot independently performs tasks that were previously requiring manual labor, thereby improving operational efficiency while reducing labor requirements.
2Productivity
If complex infrastructure such as conveyors and staffed carts are deployed, then baggage transport capability is enhanced, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the baggage transport function from the complex fixed infrastructure of conveyors and staffed carts, consolidating it into a single autonomous mobile robot. This mobile platform integrates navigation, item reception, security locking, and transport capabilities, replacing the need for extensive physical infrastructure while maintaining baggage transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous mobile robot serves multiple functions: it navigates autonomously through the terminal, receives items from travelers, secures them in locked compartments with access control, and transports them to various destinations. This multi-functional platform replaces multiple specialized systems (conveyors, staffed carts, check-in counters) with a single versatile vehicle.
3Loss of time
If traditional check-in counters with personnel are used, then customer service quality is maintained, but loss of time in check-in process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobile robot enables travelers to independently complete check-in by approaching the robot, placing items on its platform, and receiving automated service. The robot processes check-in requests, secures items in locked compartments, and provides access control without requiring interaction with airport personnel, thereby reducing check-in process time while maintaining service accessibility through a user-friendly interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for providing services to an individual at a transportation terminal. In one method, an item is received with a mobile robot from an individual at a first location at the transportation terminal. The item is autonomously secured with the mobile robot using a component of the mobile robot to thereby prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the secured item. The secured item is autonomously transported with the mobile robot from the first location to a second location at the transportation terminal. The mobile robot is capable of independent navigation without need for physical or electromechanical guidance devices in an environment within which the mobile robot operates.