UAV and Robot Last Mile Navigation Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The last mile of a journey often poses challenges such as unfamiliarity with the area, lack of suitable transportation, and route changes due to roadwork or traffic, which can be particularly difficult for individuals carrying items or with disabilities, with existing solutions being unreliable, inconvenient, or expensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and terrestrial robots to capture images of the last mile area, providing pre-emptive information and assistance, such as navigation instructions or transportation of personal items, to help individuals overcome hindrances before reaching their destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transportation methods (taxi, friend's ride) are used for the last mile, then the individual can reach the destination, but the solution is unreliable, inconvenient, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of the last mile area before the individual arrives, evaluating these images to identify hindrances in advance, and providing pre-emptive information and assistance. This allows the individual to take pre-emptive actions such as choosing alternative routes or preparing for obstacles, thereby improving reliability and convenience without needing traditional transportation solutions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the individual traverses the last mile alone without assistance, then they maintain independence, but they face challenges such as lack of knowledge of the area, route changes due to road work, and difficulty carrying items
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary approach by using UAVs and terrestrial robots as mediators between the individual and the last mile area. These robots capture images and provide information about the area conditions, acting as intermediaries that enhance the individual's adaptability without requiring direct complex interaction with the environment. The robot system serves as a mediator that simplifies the individual's interaction with unfamiliar terrain, road work, and carrying difficulties.
3Ease of operation
If pre-emptive information and assistance are provided using UAVs and robots, then the individual can take pre-emptive actions to overcome hindrances, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by using UAVs and terrestrial robots that can perform multiple functions: capturing images of the last mile area, evaluating these images to identify hindrances, providing pre-emptive information, and offering assistance such as transportation of personal items. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address various challenges (unfamiliar area, route changes, carrying items) without requiring separate specialized systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while enhancing ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for facilitating travel over a last leg of a journey. In one example embodiment, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) captures an image of an area to be traversed by an individual during the final leg of the journey. The image is evaluated to identify a hindrance that may be encountered by the individual in the area. A pre-emptive action may be taken to address the hindrance before reaching the area. The pre-emptive action, may, for example, include using the UAV and/or a terrestrial robot to assist the individual traverse the area. The assistance may be provided in various ways such as by use of the terrestrial robot to transport the individual and/or a personal item of the individual through the area, and/or by use of the UAV to provide instructions to guide the individual through the area.