Elevator Mode Switching for Autonomous Robot Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operation efficiency of elevators is compromised when humans and autonomous mobile systems, such as robots, share the same elevator car, leading to delays and reduced efficiency for both parties.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mobile system that switches the elevator operation mode from a general mode allowing human entry to a dedicated mode prohibiting human entry when the number of autonomous systems exceeds a threshold, and enables priority switching to a human use mode when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elevator operates in general mode allowing both humans and autonomous mobile systems to share the car, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity and operation efficiency deteriorate due to delays and waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator dynamically switches between general mode and dedicated mode based on the number of autonomous mobile systems detected. When the count exceeds a threshold, the system automatically transitions to dedicated mode, making the operation mode flexible and adaptive rather than static, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the elevator by switching modes. In general mode, the elevator accepts both human and robot requests; in dedicated mode, it prioritizes and exclusively serves autonomous mobile systems. This parameter change in operation mode allows the system to optimize for productivity when needed while maintaining ease of operation at other times
2Productivity
If the elevator operates in dedicated mode prohibiting human entry to improve autonomous system efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as humans must wait or use other elevators
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator's operation mode is made dynamic, automatically transitioning between general and dedicated modes based on real-time detection of autonomous mobile system counts. This dynamic adjustment ensures the elevator operates in dedicated mode only when necessary for productivity, while maintaining general mode for ease of human operation during normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between modes with different access policies. The elevator monitors the number of autonomous mobile systems and adjusts its acceptance criteria accordingly, changing from accepting all users to exclusively accepting autonomous systems, thereby optimizing productivity without permanently sacrificing ease of operation
3Productivity
If the threshold for switching to dedicated mode is set low to improve autonomous system priority, then the productivity for autonomous systems is improved, but the ease of operation for humans deteriorates as they lose access more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the threshold parameter to balance productivity and ease of operation. By setting an appropriate threshold value, the elevator switches to dedicated mode only when the number of autonomous mobile systems sufficiently justifies restricting human access, optimizing autonomous system efficiency while minimizing impact on human users
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous mobile method for an autonomous mobile device according to the present embodiment is an autonomous mobile method for an autonomous mobile device that autonomously moves in a facility provided with an elevator. When the total number of the autonomous mobile devices including other autonomous mobile devices in a car of the elevator is larger than a threshold that is a plural number, an operation mode of the car is switched from a general mode in which a human is allowed to enter the car to a dedicated mode in which the human is prohibited from entering the car.