An RFID based autonomous indoor tour guide robot

This paper describes a radio frequency identification (RFID) and sonar-guided tour guide robot, CATE (Central's Automated Tour Experience). The portable terminal unit is an embedded system equipped with an RFID reader for localization, and sonar and IR sensors for obstacle detection and avoidance. CATE can guide the visitor through a predefined tour of the building, or create a new route on-the-fly. While in predefined tour mode, CATE completes the tour by avoiding obstacles using sonar and infrared sensor input. It will also provide audio and video information through an onboard computer, and can collect feedback from the user through a touch screen display. CATE has been successfully implemented and is under final stages of testing.