Design And Construction Of Microcontroller Based Remote Controlled Airport Luggage Cart

Abstract

Nowadays, people love to travel anywhere. Airports mainly never run out of bustling crowds of traveler. They are carrying heavy luggage which is one of the biggest travel hassle. It is indispensable that airports offer luggage carts to ease such burden. Theses luggage carts are largely found in airports, large bus stations, hotels, or train stations. However, extra effort is required to navigate especially those individual with disability or the elders. Thus, the researchers proposed a remote controlled luggage cart. The main objective of this study is to create a luggage cart that being controlled by the owner by using a remote control. Specifically, it aims the following: (1) to construct a luggage cart that can carry less than or equal to 5.6 kilograms weight of luggage; (2) to wirelessly control the luggage cart using two Arduino Microcontrollers, two Zigbee modules, a direction/tilt sensor; and (3) to navigate the wheels of the luggage cart using a relay, dc motor and servo motor. This luggage cart is limited to stop, forward, left and right directions, as well as limited turning. It has its own specific frequency dedicated to follow its owner.

Keywords: Arduino, luggage, remote control, robot, airport

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1.         BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Airport is one of the crowded places in the world. Plane is usually the primary transportation for business trips, family vacations, or studying abroad. Thus, it is necessary that airports provide luggage carts for travelers to ease the burden of traversing from one terminal to another or around the airport areas.

Baggage carts, luggage carts, luggage trolleys or trolleys are small vehicles manually navigated by travelers. There are two major sizes: One for big luggage and one for small luggage. Carts have usually two parts for carrying luggage: a small section (basket) for carry-on luggage at the same level as the handle, and a lowered large section for suitcases and a small or large bag [1].

Nowadays, technology has greatly influenced airports as well. Remote controlled luggage cart are being introduced like the NUA Robotics that is mainly controlled by connecting to the owner’s smart phone. It uses proximity sensors to prevent collision with other things.

The researchers proposed a design where the luggage cart does not need any human effort. This is a remote controlled luggage cart managed by the owner using Arduino and Zigbee technologies. There will be a remote control given to the owner to navigate such luggage cart. The luggage cart will automatically follow the direction of the owner’s action using the remote control.

1.2.         FEATURES OF THE REMOTE-CONTROLLED BOX

• OFF-ROADING FEATURE: The wheels on most luggage systems are Atrocious. Have you ever tried to lug it through sand, gravel or similar unfriendly surfaces? This off-roading feature is going to be a perfect solution especially for those who like to do a lot of outdoor traveling or need to face such unfriendly surfaces.
• Fingerprint sensor (Which is one of the unique features of our travel box that makes it different from others)
• Bluetooth connectivity
• An alarm system (This will activate from the box when the remote control is at most 20 meters away from it)
• Removable lithium-ion battery (Removable ones would be used because lithium-ion batteries are known to be fire hazards especially on airplanes)
• 360-degree spinner wheel
• Adjustable handle and so on.

1.3.         WHY REMOVABLE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

On February 27, 2019 the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation published an Interim Final Rule HM-224I. This Final Rule prohibits lithium-Ion batteries UN3480 from being transported as cargo on passenger airplanes. (DgiTrainingCenter, 2019). Lithium-ion batteries are preferred and better because they tend to have a higher energy density, voltage capacity and lower self-discharge rate than other rechargeable batteries (Brumelis, 2021). If these remote controlled travel box are checked in, the batteries should either be turned completely off or should be removed and protected from accidental activation and packed so they are protected from damage. As of January 2018, airlines including American, Delta and Southwest have issued tighter guidelines for all types of smart luggage, citing concerns that their built-in lithium ion batteries could catch fire midflight. The bottom line: If a smart bag’s power source can’t be removed, it can’t fly. (Cohen, 2018) Hence, our removable battery. The removable batteries can be carried on board but can’t be checked in.

1.4.         STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Most times when travelling, you tend to observe that persons with physical limitations such as old citizens, handicapped persons, mothers traveling with kids, persons on wheelchairs and so on have difficulties while travelling and a lot of times you see them rendering help/ assistance from various people. This remote-controlled box aims at reducing or totally eradicating the need for them to seek assistance.

Old citizens are weak and tender, and most times do not have the energy to pull/carry a box wherever they go. Handicapped persons can’t operate their wheelchair and pull their boxes at the same time. Mothers travelling with kids especially infants or toddlers would have a hard time catering for the kids and pulling the box at the same time.

1.5.         AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This project aims to design/create a remote controlled travel box.

The objectives of this project include:

• To support people with physical limitation such as old citizens, handicapped persons (targeting mainly persons without legs), mothers traveling with kids, persons on wheelchairs for whatever reason and so on.
• to create a luggage cart that being controlled by the owner by using a remote Specifically, it aims the following: (1) to construct a luggage cart that can carry less than or equal to.
• to wirelessly control the luggage cart using two Arduino Microcontrollers, two Zigbee modules, a direction/tilt sensor; and (3) to navigate the wheels of the luggage cart using a relay, dc motor and servo
• To reduce stress and labor for people, it will improve human condition and persons that use it will be assured that their whole travel process has been made easier and stress free.

1.6.         METHODOLOGY OVERVIEW

This remote controlled travel box is going to be operated using a remote control which will be used to navigate the tyres of the box.  There would be a TFT display module which would be connected to a microcontroller and a 4 x 4 matrix keypad & fingerprint module. The user can use the fingerprint module to unlock his/her box incase he/she does not want to unlock it using passcode. The fingerprint module/sensor is going to identify or verify a person. In order for the fingerprint to recognize the person’s finger it will first capture the pattern of ridges and valleys on a finger. The information is then processed by the device’s pattern analysis/matching software, which compares it to the list of registered fingerprints on file. A successful match means that an identity has been verified, thereby granting access. As for the remote control, when we push the control, the transmitter sends a specific number of electrical pulses corresponding to that action through the air. The transmitter has its own power source, usually in the form of a 9-volt battery. Without the battery, the transmitter will not be able to send the radio waves to the receiver. Once the box receives the radio waves, the motors kick into life to cause a specific action to occur. The power source sends power to all working parts, including the motor The transmitter enables control through radio waves and the receiver activates the motors of the box. Circuit board translates the number of electrical pulses (signals) into action. A full control remote control will have 6 controls and these works through following the pulse sequences:

• Forward: 16 pulses
• Reverse: 40 pulses
• Forward left: 28 pulses
• Forward right: 34 pulses
• Reverse left: 52 pulses
• Reverse right: 46 pulses

1.7.         SCOPE OF THE STUDY

• The fundamental extent of the Remote controlled travel box is to make a luggage that is very easy to understand.
• The task will further develop traveler security and fulfillment
• It will also reduce delays insights caused by mishandled luggage.
• The project is more efficient to use the fingerprint feature using machine learning.

1.8.         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The travel box is important and will bring about another technological development to the world. The significant point of the project is to

complete design and activity of smart luggage from the engineering point of view and to make an upgraded working model of luggage bag incorporated with sensors which makes the structure extremely special. The Remote controlled travel box is basically a lifesaving item because of the burden it has lifted off those with physical limitations all over the world, therefore creating a stress-free travel.

1.9.         ORGANISATION OF SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS

In this project, each chapters relate to one another i.e. related to the next chapter in the organization of the project report and they are all well detailed according to the main use of the project.

The first chapter is the introductory chapter, which covers the Background of The study, Problem Statement, Aims and Objectives, Scope of The Project, Methodology Overview, Scope of the Study, Significance of The Project, Organization of Subsequent Chapters.

Chapter Two presents the Literature Reviews. Chapter Three Covers the System Analysis and Design in details including the Design and Research Methodology. Chapter Four presents the System Implementation and Testing which entails the component layout, the wiring diagram and also the complete schematic diagram and the wiring schedule. Chapter Five is the Summary Conclusion and Recommendation which includes basically the summary and suggestion for further studies