Urban Autonomous Snow-Removal Mobility
Heavy snowfall is unpredictable and can cause pedestrian slip accidents if not removed promptly. Existing snow-removal systems are designed for vehicles and large spaces, making them unsuitable for narrow pedestrian areas such as sidewalks and stairs. This project develops a compact autonomous snow-removal mobility system for pedestrian environments.
Questions
Q1. How can snow be removed in complex pedestrian environments?
- Limited access for vehicles
- Risk of ice formation
- Size vs. performance trade-off
Q2. Can snow removal be performed without human intervention?
- Safety risks in manual work
- Need for continuous operation
Q3. How can safety be ensured around pedestrians?
- Visibility
- Speed control
- Emergency response
Fig.1. Pedestrian fall accidents on icy walkways
Source: KBS News, https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/view.do?ncd=8119072
Fig.2. Manual snow removal on stairs
Source: Hankyoreh, https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/1129365.html
Solutions
S1. Blower-based mechanism
- Roller (crushing) + suction + 360° discharge
- Integrated snow-removal system
S2. Track-based mobility
- Stair and curb navigation
- Stable on uneven terrain
S3. Safety design
- Lights and reflective materials
- Emergency stop
- Speed: 0–3 km/h
S4. Data-driven design
- Handles up to 30 cm snow
- Based on stair dimensions
Fig.3. Blower-based snow intake mechanism
Fig.4. Hardware prototyping and mechanism testing process
Fig.5. Internal structure (lighting and tracked wheels)
Results
- Pedestrian-focused snow-removal system
- Compact blower-based mobility integration
- Stair-capable track system
- Safety-oriented design approach
Fig.6. Final design in an urban stair scenario
Fig.7. Final design in an urban road scenario