Ride-share Accessibility Device Orientation Matching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ride-share services often fail to accommodate passengers with specific needs, such as wheelchair users, due to the lack of suitable vehicles that can accommodate their accessibility devices and provide adequate space during the ride.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mobile device and an accessibility device that communicates with a ride-share server to determine and adjust the orientation of the accessibility device to facilitate boarding into a ride-share vehicle, using electronic components like motion sensors, communication transceivers, and light projectors to ensure proper alignment and space for easy entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ride-share services use standard vehicles without special accommodations, then vehicle availability and operational simplicity are improved, but accessibility for passengers with disabilities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle accessibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having passengers register their accessibility device information (type, dimensions, weight) in advance through the mobile application. This pre-registration enables the server to pre-filter and match appropriate vehicles before the ride request is fulfilled, eliminating the need for complex on-site assessments and ensuring accessibility requirements are met without adding operational complexity to the vehicle fleet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The solution segments the ride-share system into distinct functional modules: passenger device registration module, server matching module, and vehicle assignment module. The accessibility device information is segmented into specific parameters (type, dimensions, weight) that are independently evaluated. This segmentation allows the system to handle accessibility requirements through software logic rather than physical vehicle modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the accessibility device orientation is not adjusted, then boarding time is reduced, but boarding safety and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboarding easeVSAvoidboarding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the real-time orientation of the accessibility device using motion sensors and comparing it against the optimal boarding orientation. When misalignment is detected, the system provides guidance feedback to the passenger through the mobile application, enabling them to self-correct the device orientation. This feedback loop ensures safe and comfortable boarding without requiring extended waiting time, as adjustments are made efficiently based on real-time data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The solution enables self-service by empowering passengers to independently adjust their accessibility device orientation based on guidance from the mobile application. The application provides step-by-step instructions and real-time orientation feedback, allowing passengers to perform the alignment themselves without requiring driver assistance or additional personnel. This self-service approach maintains boarding safety and comfort while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If vehicle matching considers accessibility device dimensions and weight, then accessibility compatibility is improved, but matching efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility accommodation reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle matching speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies parameter changes by establishing predefined threshold values for accessibility device dimensions and weight categories. Instead of performing complex continuous optimization calculations, the server compares device parameters against predetermined vehicle capacity thresholds. This parameter discretization maintains high reliability in matching suitable vehicles while significantly improving matching speed, allowing the system to evaluate multiple vehicles simultaneously and quickly identify compatible options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11544636B2Ride-share accessibility
Publication Date: 2023.01.03 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • US11544636B2 patent drawing
  • US11544636B2 patent drawing
  • US11544636B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method includes transmitting a ride-share request to a ride-share server, the ride-share request including information about an accessibility device, determining a present orientation of the accessibility device, and transmitting the present orientation of the accessibility device to the ride-share vehicle. Another method includes transmitting a present orientation of an accessibility device, receiving a target orientation of the accessibility device, illuminating a light projector, determining that the accessibility device is in the target orientation, and turning off the light projector.