[Doc Wu]

One last comment from me then I'll shut up.

From my experience, the advance person, or vanguard, is probably the most effective way and is important for getting a robot safely through the crowded aisles.

Whether they yell "robot" or something else, the important thing is that they communicate with the people in the area, including their people guiding their cart. If saying something like "excuse me" or "coming through" or "could you please move a bit" works better because you are communicating your intent, than yelling "robot" because someone says you should, then that's what should be done.

The person should also tell their cart drivers to stop if necessary and help them find a clear path.

Often a lot of the congestion is general public who may need a little more time to integrate what is going on around them and react. A little verbal guidance, more than just yelling "robot" may be necessary.

Other times, the people in front of you may be fully aware of your cart coming, but simply have no safe place to go immediately to get out of the way. You'll just have to be patient and realize that your team is not the only one there with places to go...

I think we all just need to apply some Gracious Professionalism to this issue.