Telepresence Robot Control Switching for User-Approved Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telepresence robots do not allow facility managers or guide personnel to switch operations without user permission, leading to unintended robot operation and potential obstacles during emergencies, hindering efficient facility management and emergency evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that includes a communication unit, a body unit for travel, a head unit with an image-capturing unit, a control unit, and an operation switching input unit. This system allows switching of operation instructions between user and facility user terminals, with user approval required for switching, and includes an emergency switch for autonomous sheltering during emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operation switching is allowed without permission, then facility users can operate the robot using their knowledge of passages and exhibition items, but the robot may be operated against the user's intention causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the current operator's identity is displayed on the user terminal. When operation switching occurs, the system provides feedback by showing whose terminal is currently controlling the robot, enabling the original user to monitor and control operation transfers, thus preventing unauthorized operation while maintaining ease of operation for facility users.
2Productivity
If the robot travels on passages during emergencies, then it can perform its functions, but it becomes an obstacle preventing quick evacuation of people
Solution Approach 1:
The robot implements dynamic behavior adjustment based on emergency detection. When an emergency is detected through the image-capturing unit or other sensors, the robot automatically changes its state from active operation to evacuation mode, moving to designated safe areas. This dynamic response allows the robot to maintain productivity during normal operations while eliminating harmful obstacles during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot extracts itself from the evacuation path by autonomously moving to predetermined safe areas when emergencies are detected. This separation removes the harmful factor (robot as obstacle) from the evacuation route, allowing people to evacuate quickly without obstruction while the robot remains available for post-emergency operations.
3Productivity
If multiple user terminals can operate the robot, then facility management efficiency is improved, but determining which terminal has priority becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by displaying the current operator's identity on all user terminals. This simple feedback mechanism provides clear information about which terminal has control priority without requiring complex arbitration protocols. The visual feedback allows all facility users to understand the current operational state, reducing confusion and maintaining simple system architecture while supporting multiple operators.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes: a communication unit that receives a remote operation instruction by a user terminal of a user; a body unit capable of traveling; a head unit attached to the body unit and capable of changing a direction; a camera; a control unit that controls the body unit, the head unit, and the camera, based on the operation instruction; and an operation switching input unit that switches between the operation instruction by the user terminal of the user and an operation instruction by a facility terminal of a facility user, and when switching the operation instruction, the operation switching input unit requests the user for whether to approve user switching, and when the user approves the user switching of the operation instruction via the user terminal, the operation switching input unit switches the operation instruction by the user terminal to the operation instruction by the facility terminal.