Robot Elevator Navigation Using Human-Mediated Floor Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for robots to use elevators often require electronic interaction with the elevator controller or knowledge of the floor height, and may not allow simultaneous use with humans due to safety concerns, limiting their ability to navigate between floors efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method where a robot detects elevator operating components and requests humans to select the desired floor using body part positions, allowing the robot to enter and exit the elevator without electronic interaction or floor height knowledge, while minimizing interference with human movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot uses electronic interaction with the elevator controller, then the robot can efficiently select floors, but the device complexity and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces humans as intermediaries between the robot and the elevator system. Instead of direct electronic communication, the robot detects human presence, requests human assistance for floor selection, and humans press the elevator buttons on behalf of the robot. This mediator approach simplifies the robot's hardware while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator system serves itself by having humans, who are already present and authorized to use the elevator, perform the floor selection operation. The human user's natural interaction with the elevator controls replaces the need for specialized robotic interfaces, allowing the system to function using existing human-elevator interaction protocols.
2Productivity
If the robot shares the elevator with humans, then the elevator utilization increases, but the safety risks and interference with human movements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary detection of human presence and position before attempting to enter the elevator. It identifies suitable humans to assist with floor selection and plans its entry timing to minimize interference. This advance preparation allows safe co-use of the elevator space by both humans and the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot continuously monitors the elevator environment using its sensors to detect human positions and movements in real-time. Based on this feedback, it adjusts its behavior - waiting for appropriate moments to enter, selecting humans who are not in critical positions, and modifying its navigation to avoid interfering with human safety or elevator operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot autonomously determines floor height using sensors, then the robot can navigate independently, but the measurement precision and reliability decrease without electronic communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the robot's sensor-based autonomous floor detection capabilities with human verification and selection. The robot uses its sensors to estimate floor information and identify potential assistants, then merges this data with human input to accurately determine the target floor. This combination compensates for the limitations of sensor-only measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Humans serve as intermediaries who verify the robot's sensor-based floor estimates and provide accurate floor selection. The human user, who can read elevator displays and understand floor indicators, confirms or corrects the robot's autonomous measurements, ensuring measurement precision without requiring electronic communication interfaces.
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4a~5c
AI summary
The invention comprises a method and a system for conveying a mobile robot in an elevator involving the monitoring of elevator operating components and of persons surrounding the elevator and operating the elevator by selecting a floor to which the mobile robot is to move. In one aspect an inertial sensor is used to learn or determine the number of floors. The robot may also have methods implemented to assess the floor space inside the elevator or to position itself in front of the elevator in such a way that it can, for example, monitor the operation of elevator operating components without being perceived as an obstacle from the elevator users' perspective.