Autonomous Scooter Hailing With Obstacle-Aware Sidewalk Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shared personal mobility devices (PMDs) are often difficult to find and can clutter sidewalks, especially during peak hours, and existing solutions like increasing their deployment lead to further congestion and littering, making them inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing autonomous personal mobility devices (SPMDs) that can self-drive to a target location using sensors and obstacle avoidance algorithms, allowing users to hail them on demand and navigate through areas closed to vehicular traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large volume of PMDs is deployed to make them more available, then the availability of PMDs is improved, but the clutter and congestion on sidewalks worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The PMD autonomously navigates to the user without requiring manual retrieval. The device self-propels along sidewalks and streets to reach the designated pickup location, eliminating the need for users to search for and manually handle PMDs, thereby reducing sidewalk clutter while maintaining availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of users physically retrieving PMDs with an automated autonomous navigation system. Sensors, processors, and control algorithms substitute for human physical interaction, enabling the PMD to self-translocate from storage areas to user locations without human intervention
2Ease of operation
If users walk to find a PMD, then the availability of PMD access is improved, but the time required to access PMD worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The PMD proactively navigates to the user's specified location before the user needs to use it. The system receives a destination input, calculates a route, and begins autonomous travel in advance, so the PMD arrives ready for immediate use, eliminating the user's need to walk and search
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the PMD's location, battery status, and navigation progress. The processor receives feedback from sensors about the PMD's surroundings and adjusts the navigation path in real-time, while the communication module provides status updates to the user's device, enabling dynamic optimization of the delivery process
3Ease of operation
If PMDs navigate through areas closed to vehicular traffic, then the convenience of PMD delivery is improved, but the complexity of navigation and obstacle avoidance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous navigation system performs multiple functions: it processes GPS coordinates, interprets map data, detects obstacles using various sensors, plans routes dynamically, and controls motor actuation. This multi-functional integrated system handles both simple and complex navigation scenarios through a unified architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system dynamically adapts to changing conditions by continuously processing sensor feedback about obstacles, adjusting the path in real-time. The obstacle avoidance program modifies the predetermined path based on current environmental conditions, making the navigation flexible and responsive rather than rigid and predetermined
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described in this application are directed to determining safe path navigation of an autonomous personal mobility device, including a self-driving electric scooter, using sensors and/or data from other sources. The autonomous personal mobility device is configured to generate maps and transform the maps into tile segments that can be shared with other autonomous personal mobility devices. Techniques further include receiving a request for an autonomous personal mobility device at a location, and enabling the autonomous personal mobility device to self-drive to the location.