Welcome to Future of Mobility !!!!
FR Conversions and Robotic Research unveiled the first step in the Future of Mobility; the patent pending Autonomous Mobility Ram Promaster "ParaLift?" at the NMEDA Conference in Daytona Beach Florida.
This vehicle is a prototype and something that FR Conversions has been working on with Robotic Research for over 2 years. The initial concept was birthed from a genuine need in the marketplace to assist mobility impaired passengers around the world as transportations industries look to the future by using autonomous cars.
Robotic Research has been building fully autonomous ground vehicles and unmanned air vehicles for the military for the past 16 years. Robotic Research’s systems are used to help troops transport equipment, and to keep our men and women out of harm’s way on the battlefield.
When the government approached Robotic Research to apply its autonomous vehicle technology to help wounded warriors, Robotic Research quickly agreed. The government’s vision was to use a self-driving, environmentally friendly, electric golf-cart as a shuttle to transport warriors around the base at Fort Bragg.
But as mobility came into the mix, the small golf carts proved to be problematic for wheelchair passengers. The tight, cramped spaces proved to be restrictive. The weight capacity of the golf-carts was also quickly exceeded. Lastly, the wheelchair passengers still needed a trained aide to help load them on the shuttle and secure their chair.
That is when Robotic Research reached out to FR Conversions about partnering on developing the future of mobility vehicles, not only our wounded veterans, but for everyone that wants and needs additional transportation options.
What does autonomy mean and how is it being used in ParaLift??
Lets walk through its basic operation:
ParaLift? can be called like one of your current ride share programs via the ParaLift? application on your smart phone, tablet or PVC. The app gives the end user some options on whether the vehicle will operate completely autonomous, or allow the end user to push the buttons on the lift and wheelchair locking mechanism to give more control to the end user.
When the vehicle arrives at the point of pick up, the ParaLift?side door will open automatically, alerting the end user of what it is doing through audible alerts.
Once the side door is opened, the ParaLift? audible alert will let the rider know it is going to deploy the lift. As with other forms of autonomous transportation, the ParaLift?utilizes a LIDAR system to detect anything within the range of motion of the lift, for safety and security of the rider and anyone in the vicinity of the deploying ramp.
As the ramp is deployed and lowered it is constantly utilizing the LIDAR system to be aware of any possible obstructions or obstacles that could prevent the operation from functioning properly. If a hand or arm, or any foreign object is placed inside the range of motion, the lift mechanism will immediately stop and alert the end user to move the foreign object from the deployment zone.
Once the ramp is fully deployed the ParaLift? audible alert will let the rider know they have 30 seconds to board the ramp. The ParaLift? system is aware of the rider's position and knows that the rider is either on the ramp or not. The system allows for the end user to raise and lower themselves into the vehicle or can be lifted completely autonomous without any direct interaction with the rider.
Once the ramp is secured the lift will raise the rider into loading position within the vehicle. The ParaLift? audible alert system will tell the rider they have 30 seconds to move off the the ramp and move into the final loading position.
In the prototype ParaLift?that was located at the show in NMEDA, the vehicle had one wheelchair securement system installed, with additional seating available for additional riders, and or companions or care givers to the wheelchair rider. Note: The vehicle can also be fitted with 2 wheelchair securement devices allowing for multiple wheelchair riders on board at one time.
To the right of the wheelchair riders final position is a control panel that allows the rider to control the securement of the wheelchair themselves, or it can be locked into place autonomously, based on the riders preference.
Once the securement portion of the process is deployed, two arms extend on either side of the wheelchair and then lock the wheelchair into place by clamping down. Note: The initial touch from the securement device is a "soft touch" ensuring no foreign objects are in the way ( arms, legs, bags etc) before clamping down for final securement.
The passenger can also manually add in another level of securement by attaching the shoulder belt across their chest to add additional safety. Because the wheelchair is loaded in a rear facing position, this prevents any forward motion should an accident occur; allowing for the bulk of the force of the impact from the front to be absorbed by the backrest of the securement device.
The lift operation is fluid and quiet by using the new Mobility Networks Vertical Split Platform wheelchair lift design allowing for easier access in and out of the vehicle. This lift is versatile and provides a much smoother quieter ride while still allowing access into the vehicle when the lift is stowed.
Once the final securement steps have been completed the ParaLift? audible alert will stow the lift and close the door, giving any additional time needed for loading and unloading of more materials or additional passengers.
Now that the door is closed and secured the vehicle can operate with a normal driver, or can move to the final destination completely autonomous with no driver or attendant onboard.
As the vehicle approaches the predetermined destination, the Paralift audible alert will let the rider know they have arrived, and open the side door. This will allow the rider to once again un-secure the wheelchair manually, or wait for the autonomous system to release the wheelchair.
After the door is open and the securement of the wheelchair has been released, the ramp will deploy allowing the wheelchair rider ample time to load themselves onto the ramp for lowering. Once the rider is on the lift safely, they can either lower themselves manually using the control panel, the mobile app or waiting for the fully autonomous system to act on their behalf.
Once the ramp is lowered and in place the rider can them move off the ramp and go to their final destination. The ramp and lift will remain in position until the rider is clear of the lift and it is safe to stow the lift and close the door to proceed to the next requesting rider. If the rider remains on the lift longer than the 30 sec window, the ParaLift? audible alert will sound to ask for the rider to clear the ramp.
The Paralift system can be used in many different applications, from on campus hospital to hospital transfers, to moving "Wounded Warriors" around the base, assisting residents on larger campuses for nursing homes and retirement communities, and eventually down the highway from people's homes to work or the airport.
The Future is now, as the flexibility of this one vehicle is extensive. Imagine the ability to operate this vehicle with a human driver from 8 am-5pm on a retirement community's grounds. The average load time is 45 sec to 3 minutes, depending on the driver/attendants ability to load the rider properly.
- Driving to the stop
- Getting out of the vehicle and getting the rider
- Opening the door and lowering the lift
- Loading the rider on the lift
- Getting into the vehicle to meet the rider and unloading them into position
- Locking the rider in with manual restraints and securing them properly
- Getting back out of the vehicle to close the lift and secure the door
- Walking back around to get into the vehicle
- Driving to destination
If the driver could be the "driver only" and the rider can load and unload themselves, this would reduce loading and unloading time, possible workers comp claims, and reduce handling of riders that do not require assistance.
Once the 5 pm shift is over, this same manually driven vehicle can be put into fully autonomous mode and can operate after hours without a driver from 5pm until 12 midnight, reducing labor costs and additional needed staff.
The fully autonomous vehicle can load a passenger in under 90 secs, unload them in 45 secs and be on its way to the next destination, providing more trips per hour, and assisting more mobility impaired riders each and every day.
Watch the video below to see a full 360 Virtual Reality walkthrough of this vehicle in operation.
Please contact Aaron Fee at [email protected] or call 931-334-6768 to learn more about this State of the Art Innovation from FR Conversions and Robotic Research.
To learn more about the the wide array of innovative vehicle options from FR Conversions visit www.frconversions.com
"Our corporate vision is and always has been, to find a better way. Whether to meet the special needs of the physically challenged or the special needs of contractors, organizations, providers of emergency services, municipalities, or others. Standards set by the ADA, government, and others are, for us, not something to be met but to be exceeded. From ramp width, to interior space, to safety, and even financing, the status quo is never an acceptable option."
"As an authorized Second Stage Manufacturer for Fiat Chrysler Automobile and a partner in the Ford QVM program in addition to our collaborations with General Motors and Toyota, we have proven ourselves to be far more than just an up fitter! Beginning with vehicles manufactured by the world's foremost automotive firms, FR Conversions Inc. designs, engineers, and manufactures transportation solutions well beyond industry standards."
Welcome to the world of FR Conversions. A world driven by innovation.
To learn more about the Amazing Innovations and Applications from Robotic Research visit www.roboticresearch.com
"Robotic Research is an ISO 9001 certified advanced engineering firm located close to Washington DC. Since our inception in 2002, we have established a track record unparalleled in this rapidly growing sector. Our research facility includes a 241-acre campus with both on-road and off-road vehicle testing grounds, as well as a 40,000 square foot research lab with 24-foot clear ceilings and an indoor UAV flight testing area. "
"Within these facilities we pursue a wide variety of cutting-edge engineering projects. Our advanced testing and prototyping capabilities serve as a catalyst for the development and demonstration of numerous autonomous systems and robotic technologies. Forged from the rigorous demands of the defense industry, our proven technology is now bringing these autonomous systems and assistive technologies to commercial markets and is forging new paths into the future of safe and responsible unmanned transportation."
FR Conversions and Robotic Research, Building Innovations Together for the Future of Mobility !!!!!