Improving Library Material Shelving Time By Implementing An Autonomous Book Truck

Abstract

The prompt shelving of returned library books is an important task in any traditional library. To help speed up the shelving process, this dissertation proposes an automated book truck capable of moving returned library books from the return desk back to the shelves. By making use of the design and creation research methodology, software algorithms, sensors and robotic hardware are evaluated and then selected to construct an autonomous book truck. It is determined that an autonomous book truck should consist of a robotic body that has the same footprint as an average human. Furthermore, the sensor skirt should consist of at least a LIDAR or equivalent sensor to be used for obstacle avoidance and that sonar sensors should be used for localisation. A simulator is created to test the selected components with the simulation data suggesting that shelving time – and therefore the dead time of returned books – is reduced by a significant factor. The research also provides a possible prototype which can be used for further development. ©