Autonomous Robot for Vehicle Occupant Protection
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety systems lack the capability to independently predict and respond to imminent anomalous events such as fires or immobilization, particularly in scenarios where primary sensors are disabled or ineffective, posing risks to occupants, especially vulnerable individuals like children or those with disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A robotic apparatus equipped with sensors, actuatable components, and a computer system that can predict anomalous events and actuate independent responses, such as providing an exit or extinguishing fires, even if detached from the vehicle, using locomotion components, fire extinguishers, and breathing masks, with communication capabilities to a remote server for enhanced response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic apparatus with independent sensors and actuators is deployed to predict and respond to anomalous events, then occupant protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: sensor module for detecting anomalies, computer module for predicting events, and actuatable component module for remediation. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to provide comprehensive occupant protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and prediction of anomalous events before they fully develop into hazards. The sensor continuously monitors for early signs, the computer analyzes data to predict imminent events, and the actuatable component is prepared to respond, enabling proactive protection rather than reactive measures.
2Reliability
If the robotic apparatus operates independently from vehicle systems, then system reliability is improved through redundancy, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional independent control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic apparatus operates autonomously using its own onboard sensors, computer, and actuators. It independently detects anomalies, predicts events, and executes remediation actions without requiring external control or intervention, thereby providing self-sufficient protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic apparatus is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it can detect various types of anomalies through different sensors, predict different anomalous events, and execute multiple types of remediation actions. This universality allows a single system to handle diverse safety scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems.
3Loss of time
If pre-impact sensors such as radar and vision systems are used to predict events, then response time is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned to receive stimuli from specific critical areas of the passenger cabin, focusing detection efforts on the most relevant zones for predicting anomalous events. This partial monitoring approach provides sufficient early warning capability without requiring complete omnidirectional sensing of the entire cabin space.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a robot body, at least one sensor coupled to the robot body and positioned to receive stimuli from a passenger cabin of a vehicle, an actuatable component coupled to the robot body, and a computer coupled to the robot body and communicatively coupled to the sensor and the actuatable component. The computer is programmed to predict an imminent anomalous event in the vehicle based on data from the at least one sensor, and in response to the determination, actuate the actuatable component to remediate the anomalous event.