Elevator Dispatch Coordination for Robots Under Passenger Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance systems such as elevators, escalators, and moving walkways are typically designed to carry only human beings, lacking the capability to efficiently accommodate robots or coordinate their interactions with elevator systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for coordinating conveyance system interactions with robots, including receiving elevator calls from robots, adjusting operations of elevator systems and robots, and managing elevator calls to optimize their use and interaction with human passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elevator systems are designed to carry only human beings, then safety and operational simplicity are maintained, but adaptability to accommodate robots is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator system is designed to serve multiple types of users (humans and robots) through a universal interface. The robot interface module enables robots to communicate elevator requests using standardized protocols, while the dispatcher intelligently routes these requests alongside human passenger requests. This multi-functionality allows the same elevator infrastructure to accommodate both human and robotic users without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A robot interface module acts as an intermediary between robots and the elevator control system. This intermediary translates robot-specific communication protocols into standard elevator control signals, mediating the interaction between the robotic user and the human-designed elevator system. The dispatcher serves as another intermediary that coordinates robot requests with human passenger needs, balancing both requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If elevator systems accommodate both robots and human beings, then versatility is improved, but coordination complexity and operational challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the dispatcher continuously monitors elevator car status, queue conditions, and passenger/robot requests. Based on this real-time feedback, the dispatcher dynamically adjusts dispatch decisions to optimize coordination between human and robot passengers. The system feedback loop ensures that coordination challenges are addressed through continuous adaptation rather than static rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator dispatch system operates dynamically by continuously adapting to changing conditions. The dispatcher can adjust priority levels, reassign elevator cars, and modify routing decisions in real-time based on current traffic patterns, robot requests, and human passenger needs. This dynamic operation allows the system to handle coordination complexity flexibly rather than through rigid predetermined rules.
3Ease of operation
If elevator dispatching prioritizes human passengers, then human service quality is maintained, but robot service efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dispatch system applies different service qualities to different user types based on their specific needs. Human passengers receive service optimized for comfort and accessibility with standard dispatch priorities, while robots receive tailored service including direct routing options, optimized wait times, and coordinated scheduling. This local quality approach allows differentiated service levels without compromising overall system fairness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on user type and system conditions. Dispatch priorities, elevator car assignments, and routing parameters are adjusted according to whether the request comes from a human or robot. This parameter flexibility enables the system to optimize for human service quality when appropriate while enhancing robot productivity when conditions allow.
4Productivity
If multiple robots are assigned to the same elevator car, then resource utilization is improved, but coordination complexity and potential conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple robot requests into coordinated elevator car assignments. When multiple robots request service, the dispatcher consolidates these requests and assigns them to appropriate elevator cars in an optimized sequence. This merging approach maximizes elevator utilization by combining robot traffic while the dispatcher manages the coordination complexity through centralized control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispatcher performs preliminary coordination of robot requests before elevator assignment. By pre-processing robot calls and determining optimal routing and timing in advance, the system reduces on-the-fly coordination complexity. This preliminary action allows multiple robots to be efficiently grouped into elevator cars while maintaining orderly operation and minimizing conflicts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling use of an elevator system (101) by a robot (202), the method comprising: detecting a real-time passenger flow of an elevator system (101) using at least one of a people counter system of the robot (279) and a people counter device (92), the people counter device (92) being installed in at least one of an elevator lobby (310) of the elevator system (101) and an elevator car of the elevator system (101); and determining a future passenger flow in response to the real-time passenger flow; and adjusting use of the elevator system (101) by the robot (202) in response to at least one of the real-time passenger flow and the future passenger flow.