The “PHABtastic” autonomous delivery robot, created by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), is now being used in real-world scenarios.
Beginning in March 2023, a six-month trial has been initiated at the Hong Kong PHAB Association Jockey Club PHAB Camp. The objective is to leverage technology to foster a culture of integration between individuals with physical disabilities and those who are able-bodied in Hong Kong.
In response to workforce shortages across various industries in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong PHAB Association Jockey Club PHAB Camp has implemented the HKPC-developed autonomous delivery robot called “PHABtastic” as part of the “Public Sector Trial Scheme – ITF Projects”.
This innovative solution aims to alleviate the impact on daily operations by assisting staff with simple delivery tasks. By introducing “PHABtastic,” the camp reduces the workload for frontline workers while enhancing the overall experience for camp guests.
To ensure seamless integration into a barrier-free environment and promote PHAB integration, the HKPC team has incorporated various design elements. These include visual and audible cues, height adjustment capabilities for the robot, and a simplified user interface, making it more accessible for disabled individuals.
The Autonomous Delivery Mover (MiniMover) was developed by HKPC in 2018 with funding from the ITF of the ITC. The research focused on deep learning and sensor fusion technologies to enable robots to automatically plan suitable walking paths. This technology has been made available to the industry for further development and application in various testing solutions, including an indoor patrol robot. In collaboration with the Hong Kong PHAB Association, the core technology of MiniMover was leveraged to create the adaptable autonomous delivery robot known as “PHABtastic,” designed for barrier-free environments.
The project demonstrates HKPC’s careful consideration during the R&D phase, ensuring flexibility and scalability of the system architecture for diverse application scenarios, particularly for disabled individuals. Future collaboration with the Hong Kong PHAB Association aims to optimise “PHABtastic” and extend its benefits to a wider range of disabled individuals, fostering a community with PHAB integration and meaningful human touch.
The Hong Kong PHAB Association Jockey Club PHAB Camp comprises the main building and the dormitory. In the past, when campers required additional supplies in the dormitory, they had to make repeated trips between the camp office in the main building and the dormitory. This posed inconveniences, particularly for campers and staff members with mobility difficulties.
With the introduction of ‘PHABtastic’, staff members can now fulfil camper requests more efficiently. They place small-sized supplies into designated storage boxes, provide basic information/instructions, and ‘PHABtastic’ delivers the supplies to the respective campers.
Throughout the design process, the HKPC R&D team actively considered and addressed staff requests and feedback, continuously adjusting and improving the system to align with daily operations. Enhancements include reinforcing anti-collision and anti-vibration functions, allowing ‘PHABtastic’ to deliver supplies accurately and efficiently to specific campers or designated areas without impacting other service users.
By incorporating personalised design with technological advancements, the Hong Kong PHAB Association believes that the quality of life for individuals with disabilities or special needs can be improved. This approach not only integrates them into the community, enabling them to access community resources but also boosts their confidence by showcasing their abilities and contributions. The objective of the Hong Kong PHAB Association is to foster a “Friendly community” where individuals of all abilities can enjoy equal access to societal resources.
It is hoped that “PHABtastic” will find extensive application in various barrier-free environments, thereby promoting innovation and technological advancements in Hong Kong. By doing so, it aims to contribute to the development of a smarter and more sustainable city.
