Escort Robot Service Gating Using Destination State and Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guidance robots in public places lack the ability to determine whether an escort service is feasible based on destination information, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns, as they unconditionally provide guidance without considering factors like destination state or congestion.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that provides position information about a destination, receives user requests for escort services, and determines the availability of the service using state or time information related to the destination, 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
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot unconditionally provides guidance service to all destinations, then the service coverage is maximized, but the safety and efficiency deteriorate due to ignoring destination conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The robot changes its operational parameters based on destination conditions. When the destination is determined to be unsafe or inappropriate for guidance service, the robot modifies its behavior by notifying the user of unavailability rather than providing service. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting service provision to actual destination conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot implements a feedback mechanism where it receives information about destination conditions, evaluates safety and appropriateness, and adjusts its service provision accordingly. This feedback loop enables the robot to maintain safety while preserving service coverage for appropriate destinations.
2Reliability
If the robot evaluates destination conditions before providing service, then the safety and efficiency are improved, but the service complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary evaluation of destination conditions before committing to provide guidance service. By checking destination information in advance and determining safety/appropriateness beforehand, the robot simplifies the overall service process while maintaining high safety standards, avoiding complex real-time decision-making during service delivery.
3Ease of operation
If the robot provides guidance service in all situations, then the user convenience is maximized, but the efficiency deteriorates due to inappropriate service provision
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically changes its service provision parameter based on destination evaluation. For inappropriate destinations, it switches to a notification mode rather than full guidance service, thereby maintaining user convenience through informative feedback while preserving service efficiency by avoiding futile or harmful service provision.
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.