Autonomous Mobility Vehicle Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal transportation systems, such as taxis and public transit, fail to provide flexible and efficient navigation to points of interest in unfamiliar areas, and lack autonomous navigation capabilities, especially in pedestrian-only zones, while smartphones may not offer easily accessible information about specific destinations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous personal mobility system comprising three-wheeled vehicles with navigation systems, sensors for obstacle detection, and kiosks for storage and charging, which can autonomously navigate users to pre-programmed points of interest within a specified geographic area, allowing users to rent and interact with the system via a smartphone application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional transportation methods like taxis or public transit are used, then travelers can reach points of interest, but they experience waiting time and lack of flexibility in availability
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device operates autonomously without requiring a driver or operator. The system self-navigates to selected points of interest using onboard sensors, processors, and navigation systems, eliminating the need to wait for taxi availability or public transit schedules while maintaining continuous service operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies and navigates to multiple points of interest in advance based on user selections. The autonomous vehicle prepares routes and anticipates destinations before arrival, reducing idle waiting time by having navigation and routing decisions ready beforehand
2Loss of information
If travelers use smartphones for navigation information, then they can access travel directions, but they may not have easily accessible information about specific destinations without proper network access
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates onboard sensors, cameras, and processing units that act as intermediaries between the vehicle and the environment. These components actively detect and process information about points of interest, obstacles, and navigation data, providing reliable destination information independent of external network availability
Solution Approach 2:
The information system is divided into multiple independent modules including onboard databases of points of interest, real-time sensor detection capabilities, and navigation processing units. This segmentation ensures that destination information can be accessed through multiple pathways (onboard storage, sensor detection, or network connection) rather than relying on a single network-dependent system
3Adaptability or versatility
If rental cars or taxis are used for personal flexibility, then travelers can move freely, but they are not feasible in pedestrian-only areas and lack guidance to points of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobility device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: it serves as both a personal transportation vehicle and a guided tour system. The vehicle includes onboard navigation systems, sensors for obstacle detection, and interfaces that provide points of interest guidance, combining the flexibility of personal transport with intelligent routing capabilities in one adaptable platform
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on environment and user needs. The navigation system adjusts routes in real-time based on sensor input, traffic conditions, and user preferences. The vehicle can switch between autonomous navigation mode and manual control mode, and dynamically updates points of interest information based on location and user selections
4Ease of operation
If walking is used as personal transportation, then travelers can access pedestrian-only areas, but it is slow and becomes tiresome when carrying multiple bags or cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous mobility device performs the physical effort of transportation itself without requiring the user to exert energy. The vehicle autonomously navigates, balances, and propels itself while carrying the user and their cargo, eliminating physical fatigue while maintaining access to pedestrian-only areas that would be inaccessible by larger vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's design includes cargo compartments and storage areas that offset the weight of user belongings. The autonomous propulsion system counteracts the gravitational force on both the vehicle and passenger, providing support equivalent to carrying heavy loads without human physical effort
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomous personal mobility systems including one or more personal mobility vehicles, each personal mobility vehicle including a navigation system configured to provide autonomous point-to-point navigation within a specified geographic area, and one or more sensors configured to detect obstructions proximate to the personal mobility vehicle, so as to enable the navigation system to avoid the detected obstructions. The system includes one or more kiosks configured to store the one or more personal mobility vehicles and charge the one or more personal mobility vehicles while stored. In some examples, the systems include a smartphone app interface to the navigation system.