Implementation of intuitive control in power-assisted trolley systems

Abstract

In order to improve work safety during the transportation of heavy goods from one point to another, a mobile platform has been designed with electrical motors to provide the force required to operate the trolleys. This mobile platform is designed to be attached under the base of the trolley, with motors driving its wheels which drives the trolley in any direction desired by the user. The previous iteration of the platform required the user to operate the platform using a remote control. The main feedback given by the users in the previous round of testing is that having a remote control adds a layer of interaction between the user and the mobile platform, which makes the system less intuitive to use. Other than that, since the main target users of this product are the elderlies that are hired in the supermarket to transport goods using this trolley, having a remote-controlled system would mean they have to pick up the skill of controlling the system using the remote. This may pose a problem as they may be inert to the idea of picking up a new skill. This project aims to remove that extra layer of interaction by implementing intuitive control with sensors to allow a more intuitive way for users to operate the mobile platforms. It allows the user to operate the trolley system the way it is normally operated, takes in the input and activates the motor to drive the trolley in the direction intended by the user.