18406255. CUSTOMER SERVICE ROBOT AND METHOD simplified abstract (Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha)

CUSTOMER SERVICE ROBOT AND METHOD

Organization Name

Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha

Inventor(s)

Yumiko Okuma of Koganei Tokyo (JP)

Kizuku Inoue of Yokohama Kanagawa (JP)

Kazuki Nakamura of Ota Tokyo (JP)

Yousuke Otsuka of Nerima Tokyo (JP)

Chisa Kokue of Ota Tokyo (JP)

Hideyuki Wada of Ota Tokyo (JP)

Shogo Watada of Numazu Shizuoka (JP)

Naoki Hoshino of Hasuda Saitama (JP)

Sayaka Shimokawa of Yokohama Kanagawa (JP)

CUSTOMER SERVICE ROBOT AND METHOD - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18406255 titled 'CUSTOMER SERVICE ROBOT AND METHOD

The abstract describes a customer service robot that autonomously assists a customer in a commercial facility with multiple stores. The robot can operate in a leading mode, where it guides the customer along a set route, or a following mode, where it moves behind the customer. The robot maintains a constant distance from the customer while moving.

• Customer service robot autonomously assists customers in a commercial facility with multiple stores.
• Can operate in a leading mode to guide the customer along a set route or a following mode to move behind the customer.
• Maintains a constant distance from the customer while moving.
• Includes an operation mode setting unit to determine the moving form.
• Movement control unit causes the robot to move according to the set operation mode.

Potential Applications: - Retail stores - Shopping malls - Airports - Hospitals - Museums

Problems Solved: - Improving customer experience in commercial facilities - Assisting customers in navigating large spaces - Providing personalized service to customers

Benefits: - Enhanced customer service - Increased efficiency in guiding customers - Improved overall shopping experience

Commercial Applications: Title: Autonomous Customer Service Robot for Commercial Facilities This technology can be used in retail stores, shopping malls, airports, hospitals, and museums to enhance customer service and improve navigation for visitors.

Questions about Autonomous Customer Service Robot for Commercial Facilities: 1. How does the customer service robot determine whether to operate in a leading or following mode? The customer service robot uses an operation mode setting unit to determine the moving form based on the customer's location and movement.

2. What are the potential benefits of using an autonomous customer service robot in a commercial facility? The use of an autonomous customer service robot can enhance customer experience, improve efficiency in guiding customers, and provide personalized service in commercial settings.

Original Abstract Submitted

A customer service robot autonomously moves to support shopping of a customer in a commercial facility including a plurality of stores. The customer service robot includes an operation mode setting unit (a moving form setting unit) that sets a moving form in moving while being accompanied by the customer to a leading mode (a first moving form) for leading the customer and moving along a set moving route or a following mode (a second moving form) for moving following the customer and a movement control unit that causes the customer service robot to move, in the moving form set by the operation mode setting unit, in a state in which the distance to the customer is kept constant.