Pedestrian safety is a critical issue in urban mobility, and it is a problem that continues to plague cities around the world. However, a new solution is on the horizon – the IPA2X robot. This innovative robot is over two meters tall and resembles a mobile traffic light, equipped with sensors located at a height of two meters, enabling it to see over a line of parked cars. Developed by Škoda, the IPA2X robotic rover is designed to help pedestrians and approaching drivers to cross the road safely.
Features of IPA2X Robot
The IPA2X robot boasts several smart features that make it stand out as a unique solution to pedestrian safety. The robot is designed to make its way to the middle of the pedestrian crossing, where it displays a green light, indicating that pedestrians can cross. It continuously monitors its surroundings and can detect when a car is approaching the crossing. It then shows the approaching driver a stop sign and sends a warning to the car itself, which is displayed as an animation on the infotainment display. Once people have crossed the road, the robot goes back to the kerb, and the warning on the dashboard disappears.
Škoda has also introduced a new signalling grille on the front of the car that allows it to communicate with its surroundings. This grille has built-in LED strips that display pictograms and entire animations. The LEDs are programmable, with each one controlled separately, making it possible to create animations. The grille is capable of displaying green arrows, a green figure of a man, the colours we’re all used to from traffic lights, a warning triangle, or a red triangle with a cross, which are symbols that everyone understands.
Successful Testing in Three European Cities
The IPA2X robot has been tested in three European cities: Milan, Modena, and Ljubljana, near schools and senior citizens. The tests showed that the robot is a useful and effective tool for pedestrian safety. During the testing phase, developers received valuable feedback from Italian schoolchildren, who suggested that the robot should talk, have arms, or move faster to improve its user-friendliness.
The project has the additional benefit of reducing noise and pollution and cutting costs as it does away with the need for human traffic officials to officiate at pedestrian crossings. With successful testing and valuable feedback, the IPA2X robot is well on its way to becoming a valuable tool for urban mobility.
Future Deployment of IPA2X Robot
The IPA2X robot is a smart solution to the problem of pedestrian safety. Its innovative features, such as the signalling grille for cars and its ability to communicate with pedestrians and drivers, make it a valuable tool for urban mobility. The robot has undergone testing and received positive feedback, with potential deployment on the streets by 2025. It is a step towards making cities safer and more accessible for everyone.
In conclusion, pedestrian safety is a pressing issue in urban mobility, and it requires innovative solutions to address it. The IPA2X robot, with its advanced features and capabilities, is a smart solution that can improve the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike. With successful testing and feedback, the IPA2X robot has the potential to revolutionize urban mobility and make cities safer and more accessible for everyone.
