Automated robot that scans library shelves using laser mapping and radio tags can ensure no book is misplaced again
June 2, 2016
An automatic shelf scanning robot can locate missing or out-of-sequence books,
even along curved shelves. Credit: A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research
Being able to access and download information in an instant is a hallmark of
the digital age. But much of the world's knowledge remains between the pages of
printed books. Tracking these volumes in libraries is a tedious,
labor-intensive process, but improved access to these invaluable resources is
now possible thanks to robot technology developed at A*STAR.
Some libraries are adapting to automation by placing Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) tags into their collections. These computerized barcodes
contain unique identifying labels that can be quickly scanned using wireless,
handheld RFID readers. Alternatively, 'smart shelves' containing multiple RFID
antenna can automatically register when books enter or are removed from their
stacks. Such approaches are expensive, however, and still rely on manual labor.
At A*STAR's Institute for Infocomm Research,
researchers Renjun Li, Zhiyong Huang, Ernest Kurniawan, and Chin Keong Ho are
designing robots that can relieve librarians of many menial tasks, while enhancing
searching and sorting of books. Their latest project is an autonomous robotic
shelf scanning (AuRoSS) platform that can self-navigate through libraries at
night, scanning RFID tags to produce reports on missing and out-of-sequence
books.
Li notes that this function required a way to
steer a tall, wheeled robot through complex mazes of library stacks, while
keeping a critical distance from shelves at all times. "Too far and we
lose the RFID signals, but too close and the antenna hits the shelf," he
says.
The team's other obstacle was reading
available library maps. Although adequate for human users, map resolutions are
usually not detailed enough for robot movement. "We decided to detect the
shelf surface itself, and use that as a reference to plan the paths," says
Li.
To help track shelves in real-time, the
researchers assembled a 'macro-mini' manipulator, where the mobile base robot
contains an additional small robotic arm. The mini manipulator can move
laterally, and uses ultrasonic sensors to position an RFID antenna to the
optimal distance for book scanning. It also measures positioning errors, and
feeds this data into the mobile navigation unit to anticipate direction
changes.
Real-world trials at Singapore libraries
revealed the AuRoSS robot's potential—up to 99 per cent scanning accuracy was
achieved, even with curved shelves (see image). "During the re-opening of
Pasir Ris Public Library, we put on a public demonstration and received very
positive reactions," says Li. "We are improving the robustness and
analytics engine and integrating into library operations."
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Library
Khaitan
& Co
Best
Paper Award | Received the Best Paper Award at TIFR-BOSLA National Conference on
Future Librarianship: Innovation for Excellence (NCFL 2016) on April 23,
2016. The title of the paper is “Removing
Barriers to Literacy: Marrakesh VIP Treaty”
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