UWB-Guided Mobility Device Positioning for Vehicle Storage and Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physically challenged individuals face difficulties in transporting and maneuvering mobility devices between the cabin and the rear of a vehicle, especially when mounting and unmounting them on hitch-mounted platforms.
Innovation Solution
A mobility system utilizing ultra-wideband anchors and autonomous driving technology to autonomously maneuver and position mobility devices within or on a motor vehicle, enabling seamless storage and retrieval using UWB tags for precise location determination and autonomous control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobility device is manually transported between cabin and rear of vehicle, then the device can be stored or retrieved, but the physically challenged individual faces difficulty in moving between locations and manually mounting/unmounting the device
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device autonomously maneuvers itself between the cabin and rear of the vehicle without requiring manual assistance from the physically challenged individual. The autonomous driving system enables the device to position itself, mount on hitch-mounted platforms, and unmount automatically, eliminating the need for manual transport while the individual simply needs to initiate the process through the vehicle interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of transporting and positioning the mobility device is replaced with an automated system combining ultra-wideband anchors for location determination, autonomous driving systems for navigation, and vehicle integration for automated mounting and unmounting operations.
2Extent of automation
If ultra-wideband anchors and autonomous driving systems are implemented, then automated positioning and maneuvering is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultra-wideband anchors serve multiple functions: they provide precise location determination for the mobility device, enable automated navigation guidance, and facilitate communication between the vehicle and device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultra-wideband anchors act as intermediaries between the vehicle's control system and the mobility device's autonomous driving system, enabling seamless communication and coordination for automated positioning and maneuvering without requiring direct complex mechanical linkages.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required for mobility device storage and retrieval, then system complexity is reduced, but user convenience and independence are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device performs self-service by autonomously maneuvering to storage locations, mounting on hitch-mounted platforms, and unmounting without requiring user physical intervention. The device uses its own autonomous driving system and receives guidance from the vehicle's ultra-wideband anchors to complete these tasks independently, significantly improving user convenience and independence.
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
Facilitates easy and automated storage and retrieval of mobility devices, enhancing user convenience and safety by allowing physically challenged individuals to transition between vehicle and mobility device without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at a plurality of ultra-wideband anchors attached to the motor vehicle, signals from an ultra-wideband tag attached to a mobility device, calculating position information for the mobility device relative to the motor vehicle using the signals from the ultra-wideband tag
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that make it simpler for physically challenged users to store and retrieve a mobility device on or in a motor vehicle include autonomously storing the mobility device after the user enters the motor vehicle, and autonomously positioning the mobility device outside of a vehicle door when the user is ready to exit the motor vehicle. The systems use an ultra-wideband (UWB) system to determine location information for the mobility device.