Robot User Disembarkation Detection via Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving robots face challenges in accurately determining whether a user has arrived at their desired destination, leading to inefficient charging and potential safety issues, as they often continue operating after passengers disembark without proper recognition.
Innovation Solution
The robot is equipped with a position detector and pressure sensors to determine the user's arrival at the destination, using this information to control the driving motor for charging or re-routing, and to switch between autonomous and manual modes based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot continues operating after reaching the destination without detecting user disembarkation, then the robot can serve subsequent users, but battery waste occurs and safety issues arise due to unnecessary movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using pressure sensors mounted on seats to detect user presence. When the pressure sensor detects that the user has disembarked (pressure drops below threshold), this information is fed back to the controller, which then determines whether to continue operation or return to charging, thereby preventing battery waste while maintaining service continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The robot autonomously monitors its own operational state through integrated pressure sensors and GPS positioning. The system automatically determines whether the service task is complete based on user disembarkation detection and location data, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling self-directed return to charging when appropriate
2Reliability
If the robot accurately detects user arrival and disembarkation, then safety is improved and battery waste is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they detect user presence for safety purposes, determine service completion for operational efficiency, and provide input for battery management decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines arrival detection (via GPS positioning), user presence detection (via pressure sensors), and service completion determination into a single integrated control system. The controller processes multiple input signals and coordinates the robot's response, merging several functions into one unified system that improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
3Loss of energy
If the robot returns to charging immediately after reaching destination, then battery waste is reduced, but productivity decreases due to interruption of service
Solution Approach 1:
The robot dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time conditions. After reaching the destination, the system continuously monitors pressure sensor data to detect user disembarkation. Only when disembarkation is confirmed does the robot transition from service mode to charging mode, optimizing battery usage without unnecessarily interrupting service continuity
4Measurement precision
If the robot uses pressure sensors to detect user disembarkation, then arrival detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors are integrated into existing structural components such as seats, serving both structural and sensing functions. This approach provides precise disembarkation detection without requiring separate dedicated sensor housings or complex mounting structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures accurate detection of user arrival, optimizing charging operations, reducing battery waste, and enhancing safety by preventing unnecessary robot movement and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure detector including at least one sensor for detecting whether a user who in on board the robot gets off the robot
Data Source
AI summary
A robot according to an embodiment may include at least one driving motor for providing a driving force for driving of the robot, a position detector including at least one sensor or receiver for detecting a position of the robot, a pressure detector including at least one sensor for detecting whether a user who in on board the robot gets off the robot and a processor for detecting the position of the robot through the position detector, recognizing that the user has arrived at the destination when it is detected that the user gets off the robot and recognize that the user has not arrived at the destination when it is not detected that the user gets off the robot.