Robotic Passenger Guidance for Accessible Indoor Wayfinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator, escalator, and moving walkway systems pose challenges for passengers with special needs, such as blindness or mobility issues, as they may not be able to locate or navigate these systems effectively, and passengers without special needs may struggle to find them in large buildings.
Innovation Solution
An automatic wayfinding system utilizing robotic guides that are tethered to passengers, providing navigation assistance through a dispatching module and a navigation map, and can be configured based on passenger disabilities, using detection technology to remain close to the passenger and lead them to their destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional elevator and navigation systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but accessibility for passengers with disabilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic guide animal serves as an intermediary between passengers with disabilities and the building's navigation system. The robot detects passenger locations, processes navigation requests, and provides guidance through the building, including assistance with elevators and escalators, thereby improving accessibility without requiring direct modification of the existing elevator infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic guide animal autonomously performs navigation tasks by detecting passenger positions using sensors, determining optimal routes, and guiding passengers to their destinations. The system self-manages the assistance process without requiring human operators, maintaining operational simplicity while enhancing service capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual navigation assistance is provided, then personalization for individual needs is improved, but labor requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic guide animal autonomously adapts to individual passenger needs by detecting their presence, understanding their destination requirements, and providing personalized guidance. The system handles multiple passengers with different needs simultaneously through automated route planning and navigation, eliminating the need for manual assessment and assistance customization
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors passenger positions and environmental conditions through sensors, adjusts navigation routes in real-time based on elevator/escalator availability and passenger progress, and provides ongoing guidance feedback to ensure personalized assistance is delivered effectively
3Measurement precision
If automated detection technology is implemented, then navigation precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic guide animal replaces complex mechanical detection systems with integrated sensors that automatically detect passenger positions, movements, and environmental conditions. This substitution enables precise navigation and monitoring while maintaining system simplicity through automated processing of detection data
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic wayfinding system is provided and includes a robotic guide, a passenger interface through which a passenger provides an input of a desired destination and a dispatching module, which, upon receipt of the input of the desired destination, dispatches the robotic guide to the passenger. At least one of the robotic guide and the dispatching module have access to a navigation map including the desired destination, a current position of the passenger and information relating to one or more paths from the current position of the passenger to the desired destination. The robotic guide is programmed to lead the passenger along the one or more paths while remaining tethered to the passenger.