PRE2016 3 Groep7

Group 7 Wiki

Welcome to the wiki page of group 7, where we present the development of our project: the intelligent G.U.A.R.D. robot. Over the course of 8 weeks the progress of our group will be shown here, such as a planning, the research topics (e.g. literature studies, designs, simulations) and the results. Feel free to take a look around!

Subject: After the brainstorming session in week 1, we came up with a couple of application fields that we could direct our project towards. These included ‘Smart homes’, ‘Guidance robots’ and ‘Cleaning’. Out of these fields we chose the topic of ‘Guidance robots’. Now it was time to find a specification within this field, and then we thought of the lack of safety on the streets, that is often highlighted in TV-programs such as ‘Opsporing verzocht’. While streets and buildings are full of cameras in the current day and age, the obtained evidence of criminal actions is often lacking, due to e.g. a too low camera resolution, a wrong mounting angle of the camera, and/or the criminals themselves, that often demolish the cameras during the crime. Could this be improved by using robot technology? We think that is possible, and present the G.U.A.R.D.: the Guidance Utensil And Route Director. The G.U.A.R.D. is a robot that is mainly intended for escorting people that feel unsafe during nighttime. It can guide people to e.g. their home, but its main function is to protect them, for example by calling for help (to 112/911) or by planning routes that avoid less safe streets in a city. This robot could be designed with varying specifications, tailored to the exact functionality that is desirable in a given application area (e.g. a metropole, a city or a small village).

Objectives: The objective of our project is to improve safety and accessibility of living environment. This will be done by creating a concept for a guidance robot in order to help people to quickly and safely reach their destinations. Individuals or small groups that feel unsafe or require additional support to reach their destination can request the help of such a guidance robot.

In order to complete the tasks the guidance robot needs to be able to:

- move in order to guide people

- interact with people

- pathfind through real life real complex and unpredictable paths.

- find optimal routes for clients to guide them to their destination quickly and unharmed.

- call for support when a dangerous situation occurs.

Optimal design choices will need to be made for each of these points.

Approach

Our solution to the problem of unsafe streets and possible dangers at night is the use of a Robotic system that will guide its users to a safe area, for example their homes. This system has been dubbed the GUARD-system. (Guidance Utensil And Route Director). This system consists primarily of Robotic ‘bodyguards’. These robots can either wait at places where they are most likely needed, patrol around areas or be called upon by using a smartphone app. It is then possible to state your destination to the robot, which will then accompany you to that destination. To create the feeling of safety, it will have practical options such as a connection to the local police station. To implement the GUARD-System we need a robot with integrated area knowledge and pathfinding, as well as camera’s and motion sensors to avoid it from bumping into obstacles. It also needs to be stable and rigid, so users can support themselves if needed. Also important is an internet/phone connection for calling aid when needed. Some voice recognition is needed to optimize the system, this is useful for receiving directions and recognizing danger, for example. Since streets are less safe at night, the GUARD-system will primarily be used then. At daytime, the robots can either be stored away and charge, or they can be used as city guides in touristic areas.