AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC MOBILE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE MOBILITY-IMPAIRED

摘要

Disclosed is a robotic mobile support system configured to autonomously follow a subject with impaired mobility from a close but safe distance behind the subject and react to movements of the subject's torso and upper body to provide dynamic support for the subject and stop the subject from falling. The system comprises a mobile base vehicle, a robotic arm installed on the mobile base vehicle, and a LIDAR sensor for detecting the distance to a subject and the direction/speed of the subject. The robotic arm comprises one or more adjustable rear and side soft supports configured to support the subject and stop the subject from falling. The system can also comprise an onboard computer configured to process LIDAR data to control the movement of the mobile base vehicle and the robotic arm to stop the subject from falling.