Pedestrian safety is a significant challenge in urban mobility, with many cities grappling with the issue. To address this challenge, Škoda has developed the IPA2X robot, a two-meter-tall robotic rover equipped with sensors and smart features. The IPA2X aims to make pedestrian crossings safer by assisting pedestrians and drivers in navigating the crossing.
Smart Features of IPA2X Robot
The IPA2X robot is designed with several smart features that make it stand out as a unique solution to pedestrian safety. Equipped with sensors located at a height of two meters, it can see over parked cars, enabling it to monitor its surroundings effectively. The robot can detect when a car is approaching the crossing and display a stop sign and warning animation on the car’s infotainment display. Once pedestrians have crossed the road, the warning disappears, and the robot returns to the curb.
One of the most exciting features of the IPA2X robotic rover is its signalling grille on the front of the car. The grille has built-in LED strips that display pictograms and animations. It is programmable, with each LED controlled separately, making it possible to create various animations. The grille can display green arrows, a green figure of a man, warning triangles, or a red triangle with a cross, which are symbols that everyone understands.
Testing of IPA2X Robot
The IPA2X robot has been tested in three European cities: Milan, Modena, and Ljubljana, near schools and senior citizen centers. The tests showed that the robot is a useful and effective tool for pedestrian safety. Additionally, the project has the potential to reduce noise and pollution while cutting costs by eliminating the need for human traffic officials.
Feedback from Italian Schoolchildren
During the testing phase, developers received valuable feedback from Italian schoolchildren. The children found it strange that the robot did not talk, did not have arms, and moved too slowly. The feedback from the children is essential in improving the robot, making it more user-friendly and effective in assisting pedestrians.
Deployment of IPA2X Robot
The IPA2X robotic rover 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. The IPA2X robot is a step towards making cities safer and more accessible for everyone.
Pedestrian safety is a critical issue in urban mobility, and the IPA2X robot is an innovative solution to address the challenge. Equipped with sensors and smart features, the robot aims to make pedestrian crossings safer by assisting pedestrians and drivers in navigating the crossing. With its unique features, the IPA2X robot has the potential to reduce noise and pollution while cutting costs and increasing safety. The IPA2X robot is a step towards making cities safer and more accessible for everyone.