Positioning and guiding educational robots by using fingerprints of WiFi and RFID array

Abstract

Positioning educational robots in the indoor ambiance is an important and basic function for robots to provide intelligent educational services for users, and it is still an open challenge problem. This paper proposes to position indoor robots by using fingerprints of wireless fidelity (WiFi) and radio-frequency identification (RFID) array in the complementary way. The fingerprint of WiFi is first used to position educational robots (Erob) in a large area and to guide robots to a place close to the target location. Then, the fingerprint of RFID array is used to guide Erob to the target location with a small discrepancy. It proved that the designed layouts of WiFi devices and RFID array can have fingerprint matching to estimate the position of Erob. The proposed positioning method can guide Erob to the target location fast and accurately so that robots can provide multiple services based on it.