Delivery Robot Obstacle Detection and Human Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivery robots face challenges in storing articles in storage cabinets when obstacles are present in the vicinity, preventing them from stopping correctly and executing the delivery operation.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system equipped with detection units to identify obstacles and a control unit that sends notifications to humans to remove the obstacles, allowing the robot to safely deliver articles by requesting human intervention to clear the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the delivery robot autonomously delivers articles to storage cabinets without human intervention, then automation level increases, but delivery reliability decreases when obstacles are present in the given area
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a notification mechanism as an intermediary between the delivery robot and human operators. When obstacles are detected, the control unit sends notifications to request human intervention for obstacle removal, enabling the system to handle situations beyond autonomous capabilities while maintaining high automation for normal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on environmental conditions. When the given area is clear, the robot operates autonomously; when obstacles are detected, it transitions to a state requiring human intervention, thus adapting the automation level to actual delivery conditions to maintain reliability
2Reliability
If the delivery robot requires a clear given area to stop and deliver articles, then delivery safety increases, but delivery productivity decreases due to obstacles blocking the given area
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously monitors the given area for obstacles and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection and notification, allowing the system to respond promptly to obstacles and resume deliveries once the area is cleared, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles in the given area before the delivery robot attempts to stop and deliver articles. By detecting obstacles in advance and notifying human operators beforehand, the system prevents delivery delays and maintains productivity while ensuring safety through proactive obstacle management
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a delivery system or the like adapted to request a person to remove an obstacle in a given area in front of a storage cabinet. A delivery system includes: a storage cabinet; a delivery robot capable of traveling to the storage cabinet and delivering an article; at least one detection unit configured to detect an obstacle present in the vicinity of the storage cabinet; and a control unit configured to control an operation of the delivery system, including the delivery robot. When the detection unit detects that there is an obstacle within a given area in the vicinity of the storage cabinet, and when the control unit determines that the delivery robot cannot deliver the article to the storage cabinet due to the presence of the obstacle, the control unit sends a notification requesting that the detected obstacle be removed from the given area.