Autonomous navigation of people using a robot network

摘要

This disclosure describes, according to some embodiments, a robot network comprising a plurality of robot units capable of providing navigational guidance to patrons requesting navigational assistance. In an example method, upon receiving a request from a first patron, the method selects an available robot unit from among a plurality of robot units comprising the robot network based on an estimated time to reach the first patron's location. The estimated time to reach the first patron's location is determined based on status updates of other of the robot units comprising the robot network. The method further assigns the available robot unit to the first patron, navigates the assigned robot unit to the first patron's location, engages the first patron using the assigned robot unit, and guides the first patron toward the requested destination using the assigned robot unit.