Delivery robots using NTT Group technology demonstrated at Shinagawa Season Terrace
Robot control function with optimal path generation and radio wave quality

Tokyo - March 26, 2024 - NTT Corporation (NTT), NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), and NTT Urban Solutions, Inc. (NTT Urban Solutions) conducted an in-building robot delivery experiment from February 5 to March 15, 2024 at Shinagawa Season Terrace. By applying NTT Group's robot optimal control technology and multi-radio proactive control technology, we have realized more efficient and safe multi-robot operation, including more accurate arrival time, shorter delivery time, and early detection of abnormalities.

1. Background of this demonstration

In recent years, as the birthrate declines and the population ages, there is a need to respond to the shrinking labor force and the aging society. It is expected that the need to utilize robots for delivery, security, and transportation will further increase. On the other hand, there are many issues to be addressed to utilize robots efficiently and safely, such as collisions when multiple robots are running at the same time, and stoppage of operation due to loss of communication during running. NTT Com, NTT, and NTT Urban Solutions conducted this demonstration to solve these problems.

2. Outline of this demonstration

< Demonstration Overview Image >

3. Results of this demonstration

The following points were confirmed in this demonstration.

(1) Efficient robot delivery using robot optimal control technology

So far, we have confirmed the effectiveness of setting the travel route and estimating the required time based on the congestion situation in the building through the demonstration experiment.⁷ Using new robot optimal control technology, we were able to reduce delivery time by about 30% compared to fixed routing by having multiple robots choose the shortest route in the building while avoiding conflicts. In addition to the travel time, we were able to reduce the error in the arrival time presented to the customer in advance by about 20% compared to using the average of past results.

< Robot Conflict Avoidance >

(2) Safe Robot Run Using Cradio^®

By using Cradio^®, it is possible to coordinate with the operation status of the radio base station and to create an elaborate MAP of radio quality that takes into account high-definition building information and characteristics of the radio equipment. The error between the measured value and the generated MAP was about 5dB in terms of RMSE, confirming that the accuracy was sufficient for robot routing. By linking the created radio quality MAP information with the robot's optimal control technology, we were able to reduce the travel distance to 0 m in areas with weak electric fields of -75dBm or less, thereby reducing the risk of the robot becoming uncontrollable. In addition, by linking the radio communication quality prediction technology of Cradio^® with the robot travel control, the speed control and stop control of the robot were carried out before the deterioration of the radio communication quality, and the usefulness for safe robot travel was confirmed.⁸

< Cradio^® Simulation Results >

(3) Robot Operation Using SDPF for City/Multi-Robot Optimization Solution

By applying these technologies (1) and (2) to the SDPF for City/multi-robot optimization solution, it is possible to manage different robot platforms in an integrated manner and to operate multiple and different types of robots in a centralized manner. On the management screen, the current location and operating status of multiple robots can be visualized, enabling management and operation not only on-site but also remotely. As a result, we were able to quickly detect abnormalities in operating robots, and we were able to realize more efficient operation and management.

< Management screen of Multiple Robots >

4. Outlook

NTT Com, NTT, and NTT Urban Solutions will continue to make further efforts to realize a city where people and robots work together and live in harmony.
　In addition, the NTT Group will continue to work on long-term town development in the Shinagawa Konan area in cooperation with surrounding companies and local communities.

¹"DeliRo" is an unmanned delivery robot provided by ZMP.
https://www.zmp.co.jp/en/products/lrb/deliro

²"RICE" is an autonomous delivery robot provided by Asratec.
https://www.asratec.co.jp/products/rice/

³"SDPF for City" provided by NTT Com is a platform that can seamlessly integrate various data scattered around a city, such as information on the flow of people, information inside and outside facilities, and information on objects such as robots. The Smart Data Platform is a one-stop platform that provides all the functions required for data collection, storage, and management analysis, including ICT infrastructure, to accelerate the realization of DX through data utilization.
https://www.ntt.com/business/dx/smart/city/

⁴Cradio^®, a multi-radio proactive control technology provided by NTT, is one of the components of IOWN.
https://journal.ntt.co.jp/article/13100

⁵Based on the concept of digital twin computing, NTT's "Town Planning DTC^®" is a technology that optimizes the entire city by linking various digital twins.
https://group.ntt/jp/newsrelease/2021/02/02/210202a.html

⁶Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) is the root mean square error and is a measure of the magnitude of the error in the estimation.

⁷NTT Group Companies Begin Demonstration Experiment of Autonomous and Efficient Food Delivery Using Robots Creating Valuable New Experiences for Office Workers & Sales Opportunities for Restaurants (October 2022)
https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2022/10/03/221003a.html

⁸The demonstration experiment on the radio communication quality prediction technology by Cradio^® is shown in the attached table.

About NTT

NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $97B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers.

< Attachment >
Demonstration of robot control using Cradio^® Radio Degradation Prediction Technology

1. Demonstration outline

2. Demonstration result

The combination of Cradio^® wireless communication quality prediction technology and SDPF for City/multi-robot optimization solution improves the quality of video transmission from the robot and prevents communication loss with the robot control platform.
　Normally, a loss of communication occurs between the robot and the control platform due to a deterioration in radio communication quality, causing problems in robot operation. On the other hand, in the case of cooperation with Cradio^®, by predicting the deterioration of radio communication quality in advance before the communication interruption occurs, it is possible to take a proactive measure (operation stop, route change, etc.) while the robot is still controllable.

< System Configuration Image >

In this demonstration, it was confirmed that real-time and low-delay robot motion control can be realized using radio communication quality prediction technology by Cradio^®.
　In the future, both companies aim to solve safety issues when robots are running and to further expand the field where they can run.

⁹CROSS LAB for Smart City was established by NTT Com in April 2021 as a co-creation platform where various Smart City partners can bring together their knowledge and technologies for open and agile development. This facility will contribute to accelerating the value creation of services and solutions in the Smart City field by allowing for technological verification using sensors and other technologies that are difficult to test in actual fields, such as green field Smart Cities.
https://www.ntt.com/business/dx/smart/city/cross-lab.html

¹⁰temi Japan General Agent: hapi-robo st Co., Ltd.
Official site: https://www.robotemi.jp