Escort Robot Guidance Based on Destination Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guidance robots in public places cannot determine whether to provide escort services efficiently and safely, as they unconditionally lead users to destinations without considering factors like destination state or time, which may lead to inefficiencies and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that provides position information about a destination, receives user requests for escort services, and determines service availability based on destination state or time information, allowing it to move and guide users only when the service is available, and notifies users if it is not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot unconditionally provides escort service to any destination, then user convenience is improved, but safety and efficiency deteriorate due to ignoring destination state and time conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by evaluating destination state parameters (such as whether the destination is open or closed) and time parameters (current time vs. operating hours) to dynamically determine service availability. The controller changes the service provision state based on these parameter evaluations, resolving the contradiction between unconditional service and safety.
2Reliability
If the robot evaluates destination state and time information before providing service, then safety and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional determination steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the controller evaluate destination state and time information before committing to provide escort service. This preliminary evaluation prevents unnecessary service provision and potential safety issues, while the automated nature of the evaluation keeps complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs self-service by autonomously determining whether to provide escort service based on its own evaluation of destination state and time information, without requiring external human judgment. This self-determination capability improves safety while keeping the system relatively simple.
3Productivity
If the robot provides guidance service in all conditions, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential unsafe operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having the controller preemptively identify and prevent unsafe service provision through evaluation of destination state and time conditions. This preliminary check prevents harmful situations before they occur, allowing the robot to maintain high productivity in safe conditions while avoiding safety risks.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a robot includes providing position information about a destination; receiving a request for an escort service to the destination in response to the position information; determining whether the escort service is available based on information related to the destination, the information related to the destination including at least one of state information of the destination or time information related to the destination; causing the robot to move and provide guiding to the destination in response to the request when the escort service is available; and notifying that the escort service is not available when the escort service is not available.