Intelligent robotic system for autonomous airport trolley collection

US11613007B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong · CN

Inventors

• Max Qing Hu Meng · Hong Kong, CN
• Chaoqun Wang · Nanhu, CN
• Tingting Liu · Yancheng, CN
• Xiaochun Mai · Hong Kong, CN
• Chenming Li · Hong Kong, CN
• Danny Ho · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 2020
• Grant date: Mar 28, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B25J19/023
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A robotic trolley collection system and methods for automatically collecting baggage/luggage trolleys are provided. The system includes a differential-driven mobile base; a manipulator mounted on the differential-driven mobile base for forking a trolley, having a structure same as a head portion of the trolley; a sensory and measurement assembly for providing sensing and measurement dataflow; and a main processing case for processing the sensing and measurement dataflow provided by the sensory and measurement assembly and for controlling the differential-driven mobile base, the manipulator, and the sensory and measurement assembly. The method includes localizing and mapping the robotic trolley collection system; detecting an idle trolley to be collected and estimating pose of the idle trolley; visually servoing control of the robotic trolley collection system; and issuing motion control commands to the robotic trolley collection system for automatically collecting the idle trolley.