Motor vehicle and delivery procedures

Abstract

A motor vehicle (14) is provided with a lockable delivery opening (18) for moving a package (12) to be deposited by a delivery drone (16), a communication module (20) for communication with the delivery drone (16), an automatic actuation device connected to the communication module (20) for opening and / or closing the delivery opening (18) in response to an actuation signal generated by the communication module (20), and a monitoring device (22) connected to the communication module (20) for measuring the relative position of the delivery drone (16) and / or the package (12) relative to the delivery opening (18).The monitoring data measured with the help of the monitoring device (22) makes it possible to deposit a package (12) in the motor vehicle (14) even in confined conditions within the delivery opening (18) without damaging the package (12), the motor vehicle (14) or the delivery drone (16), thus reducing the risk of damage when delivering packages (12) into a motor vehicle (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle and an associated delivery method by means of which packages can be delivered into the motor vehicle.

[0002] From US 2020 / 0 143 324 A1 it is known to place a parcel in a motor vehicle with the help of a delivery drone by moving the parcel through an open sunroof after communication between the motor vehicle and the delivery drone.

[0003] From DE 10 2019 128 409 A1 it is known that a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 reads a QR code of a delivery drone with the aid of a camera in order to authenticate a delivery drone and communicates the position, speed and acceleration of the motor vehicle to this delivery drone so that the delivery drone can predict a relative position to the motor vehicle and drop a parcel through an open sunroof into a stretched net of a parcel catching system, wherein the correct relative position of the delivery drone to the sunroof can be checked with the aid of infrared sensors of the parcel catching system provided for this purpose.

[0004] From DE 10 2019 212 634 A1 it is known that a motor vehicle exchanges GPS data and movement data with a delivery drone via a communication system in order to take over control of the delivery drone after detection of the delivery drone with the help of an all-round view camera and to guide the delivery drone to a storage compartment or window where an object can be handed over.

[0005] There is a constant need to reduce the risk of damage during parcel delivery.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide measures that reduce the risk of damage during the delivery of parcels.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1, a delivery system having the features of claim 6 and a delivery method having the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description, which may each individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle having a closable delivery opening for moving a package to be dropped off by a delivery drone through, a communication module for communicating with the delivery drone, an automatic actuation device connected to the communication module for opening and / or closing the delivery opening in response to an actuation signal generated by the communication module, and a monitoring device connected to the communication module for measuring a relative position of the delivery drone and / or the package relative to the delivery opening, wherein the monitoring device has an optical camera provided in a rear-view mirror for detecting a fatigue state of a driver, wherein this camera also has a delivery opening in a roof area of ​​the motor vehicle that can be closed by a sunroof in its field of view.

[0009] A delivery drone typically approaches with the help of a satellite-based positioning system, but its accuracy is generally not good enough for automated flight through a delivery opening in a motor vehicle. It has been found that the delivery openings available in motor vehicles are comparatively small, and only a small amount of space can be reserved for a delivery drone to fly through. In principle, it is possible for the delivery drone to attempt to identify the relative position of the delivery opening using a camera it carries and to adjust its flight path using the optical information thus generated. However, the accuracy of the camera it carries is usually either not good enough, or the camera it carries is comparatively expensive and oversized for the delivery drone's usual delivery traffic.

[0010] The invention is based on the realization that modern motor vehicles typically already incorporate high-quality assistance systems that can be functionally configured to monitor the delivery process of a delivery drone through the delivery opening. According to the invention, a camera is provided in a rearview mirror to detect driver fatigue at an early stage. This camera can also view a delivery opening in the roof area of ​​the motor vehicle that can be closed by a sunroof.If necessary, in addition to the assistance systems already provided, the monitoring device can be provided as a separate structural unit in the motor vehicle. Preferably, the separate monitoring device can display the information perceivable in its field of vision on a display in the dashboard of the motor vehicle, so that additional, potentially relevant information can be made available to the driver. The monitoring device provided in the motor vehicle can generally be of significantly better quality than a camera provided in a delivery drone, which, for example, can measure the spatial relative position of the delivery drone relative to the delivery opening of the motor vehicle with high accuracy due to a higher resolution and / or better depth of field.The monitoring data obtained with the help of the monitoring device can be transmitted to the delivery drone via the communication module provided anyway, for example, for authentication of the delivery drone, in order to improve the delivery drone's approach to the delivery opening and / or its passage through the delivery opening. In this case, it is possible that the monitoring data communicated to the delivery drone can be used as an additional reference in addition to other data or even overwrite the data calculated in the delivery drone. In any case, the monitoring data measured by the monitoring device can be used to determine three-dimensional position data with a high degree of accuracy and validity.The monitoring data measured with the help of the monitoring device makes it possible to place a parcel in the motor vehicle without damaging the parcel, the motor vehicle or the delivery drone, even in cramped conditions within the delivery opening, so that the risk of damage when delivering parcels in a motor vehicle is reduced.

[0011] The motor vehicle is, in particular, a passenger car (PC), preferably a sports car or racing car. In such vehicles, only a small delivery opening can generally be provided, as particularly cramped conditions are to be expected when the delivery drone flies through the delivery opening.

[0012] The delivery drone is designed, for example, as a quadcopter, which can provide sufficient lift to transport a correspondingly heavy package. The delivery drone can have a fastening device, such as adjustable claws, to pick up, transport, and deposit the package. In particular, the delivery drone has a rechargeable battery whose capacity allows the distance to be covered to deliver the package.

[0013] The delivery opening is provided in particular in the outer skin of the motor vehicle and, when opened, can provide a space within the outer skin that is large enough to accommodate the package and allow the delivery opening to be closed after the package has been deposited. The delivery opening can be closed, for example, by a sliding and / or pivoting cover. Preferably, the cover can be locked in the closed position by means of a locking device, wherein the locking device can preferably be opened and / or closed by the actuation signal of the communication module via the automatic actuation mechanism.

[0014] The communication module can communicate with the delivery drone, for example, via a mobile communications standard and / or an IoT (Internet of Things) communication format. The communication module can be used to authenticate the delivery drone and allow automated opening of the delivery bay. Additionally, the communication module can be used to send monitoring data from the monitoring device to the delivery drone.

[0015] In particular, the package can have standardized dimensions, so that when the package is delivered, the delivery drone can be used to check whether the package's dimensions fit through the vehicle's designated delivery opening. This can take into account that, depending on the selected package dimensions, the package may extend laterally beyond the maximum extension of the delivery drone, and the ability to fly through the delivery opening with the delivery drone may depend not only on the dimensions of the delivery drone but also on the dimensions of the package itself. This can prevent unnecessary delivery attempts.

[0016] In particular, the monitoring device comprises at least one radar sensor. Preferably, the monitoring device comprises at least two sensor devices, whereby the sensor devices do not necessarily have to be based on the same measuring principle, but can also be based on different measuring principles. However, it is also possible for at least two sensor devices based on the same measuring principle, for example, optical or radar, to be provided. The spatial separation of the at least two sensor devices can simplify and facilitate three-dimensional position measurement.

[0017] Preferably, the monitoring device is designed to detect a three-dimensional shape of the delivery drone and / or the package and to determine a spatial distance of the three-dimensional shape relative to the delivery opening. In particular, the monitoring device can locate not only a 2D image, but also the visible areas of the delivery drone and / or the package in a three-dimensional space. This makes it possible to calculate whether the delivery opening can be safely flown through by shifting and / or tilting the delivery drone. If necessary, it may be possible for the delivery drone to be positioned above the delivery opening and for the package to be dropped through the delivery opening. With the help of the three-dimensional detection of the delivery drone and the package with the help of the monitoring device, an optimal strategy for depositing the package can be determined.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the communication module is configured to transmit position data and / or motion vectors to the delivery drone based on the monitoring data transmitted by the monitoring device for updating a planned flight path. By detecting the relative position of the delivery drone relative to the delivery opening, the monitoring device can determine, in particular from the interior of the motor vehicle, a suitable deviation from the current position of the delivery drone to a more suitable position. Furthermore, preferably taking into account safety distances from an edge of the delivery opening, a speed vector from the current position to at least one subsequent position along an optimal flight path can also be specified by the monitoring device to the delivery drone.

[0019] In particular, the at least one delivery opening can be closed by a sunroof, a convertible top, a trunk lid, or a hood. Multiple delivery openings can also be provided at different locations on the motor vehicle, which can be closed by a cover provided for that location. Due to the improved accuracy of the delivery drone's flight path with the help of the motor vehicle's monitoring system, even a relatively small opening in the motor vehicle can be functionalized as a closable delivery opening.

[0020] Preferably, the delivery opening makes a battery pack that can be replaced by the delivery drone accessible. This enables electrically powered motor vehicles to be recharged particularly quickly by a delivery drone delivering a charged battery pack as a package and picking up the old, discharged battery pack. The delivery drone or a plurality of delivery drones can pass through the delivery opening to first pick up the old, discharged battery pack and then insert the new, charged battery pack in place of the old, discharged battery pack. This preferably allows automated emergency assistance to be provided for an electrically powered motor vehicle, in particular a purely electric vehicle, that has broken down due to a lack of power. Particularly preferably, the communication module and the monitoring device can be powered from a separate energy source from the battery pack.

[0021] A further aspect of the invention relates to a delivery system for delivering parcels using a motor vehicle, which can be designed and further developed as described above, for receiving the parcel and a delivery drone for depositing the parcel in the motor vehicle and / or for retrieving the parcel from the motor vehicle, wherein in particular the delivery drone is designed to adapt a movement of the delivery drone and / or the parcel through the delivery opening of the motor vehicle in response to monitoring data of the monitoring device of the motor vehicle transmitted from the communication module of the motor vehicle to the delivery drone. The delivery system can be designed and further developed as explained above with reference to the motor vehicle.The monitoring data measured with the help of the monitoring device makes it possible to place a parcel in the motor vehicle without damaging the parcel, the motor vehicle or the delivery drone, even in cramped conditions within the delivery opening, so that the risk of damage when delivering parcels in a motor vehicle is reduced.

[0022] Particularly preferably, a mother drone designed for long-distance transport is provided, wherein the delivery drone can be connected to the mother drone for long-distance transport and can be decoupled from the mother drone for movement near the delivery opening. The mother drone designed for long-distance transport can, in particular, have a large rechargeable battery to enable it to fly over long distances, whereby the mother drone can be designed significantly larger than the delivery drone, but can have a considerably greater range. Compared to the mother drone, the delivery drone is dimensioned for a significantly shorter distance, so that the delivery drone can be designed significantly smaller than the mother drone.This allows the delivery drone, with the help of the parent drone, to cover long distances. When detached from the parent drone, its small dimensions allow it to fly the package through a small delivery opening in the vehicle, something the parent drone might not have been able to do due to its size. Despite a relatively small delivery opening in the vehicle and the limited range of the delivery drone, the parent drone can also transport the package over a distance that exceeds the range of the delivery drone.

[0023] In particular, at least two delivery drones are detachably connected to the parent drone, with a first delivery drone being provided for picking up a package and a second delivery drone being provided for dropping off a package. This makes it possible, in particular, to exchange one package for another. The delivery drones carried by the parent drone can be intended for different purposes and / or different destinations. This reduces the logistical effort and the total distances to be flown. Energy consumption and operating costs can thus be kept low.

[0024] A further aspect of the invention relates to a delivery method for depositing and / or picking up a parcel, in which a motor vehicle, which can be designed and further developed as described above, and / or a delivery system, which can be designed and further developed as described above, is provided, a delivery drone authenticates itself with the motor vehicle, after successful authentication, the delivery opening is opened, and the delivery drone adapts its flight path when approaching and / or departing from the delivery opening based on monitoring data from the monitoring device of the motor vehicle. The delivery method can be designed and further developed in particular as explained above with reference to the described devices.The monitoring data measured with the help of the monitoring device makes it possible to place a parcel in the motor vehicle without damaging the parcel, the motor vehicle or the delivery drone, even in cramped conditions within the delivery opening, so that the risk of damage when delivering parcels in a motor vehicle is reduced.

[0025] The invention will be explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments, wherein the features presented below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic perspective view of a delivery system and Fig. 2: a schematic perspective view of related drones for the delivery system from Fig. 1.

[0026] The Fig. The delivery system 10 shown in Figure 1 can be used to deliver packages 12 to a moving destination that does not always have to be positioned in the same place. In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery system 10 has a motor vehicle 14 designed as a sports car and a delivery drone 16. The delivery drone 16 is intended to deposit the package 12 through a delivery opening 18 provided in the motor vehicle 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery opening 18 is provided in a roof area of ​​the motor vehicle and can be closed by a sunroof 20 or even by a convertible top. In addition, the delivery opening can also be designed as a trunk opening that can be closed by a trunk lid and / or an engine compartment opening that can be closed by an engine hood. Furthermore, the delivery opening 18 can also be an entry opening that can be closed by a side door.

[0027] The motor vehicle 14 has a communication module 20, via which the motor vehicle can communicate bidirectionally with the delivery drone 16. This allows authentication of the delivery drone 16 and verification of the authorization to automatically open the delivery opening 18 for the delivery drone 16. To reduce the risk of damage to the package 12, the delivery drone 16, and / or the motor vehicle 14, the motor vehicle 14 has a monitoring device 22, which, in the illustrated embodiment, can be a camera provided in a rearview mirror 24 of the motor vehicle 14. The monitoring device 22 can measure the relative position of the delivery drone 16 relative to the delivery opening 18 with high precision and share the monitoring data thus determined with the delivery drone 16 via the communication module 20.This can improve the collision-free placement of the package 16 in the motor vehicle 14.

[0028] As in Fig. 2, it is possible for the delivery drone 16 to be detachably attached to a significantly larger mother drone 26 designed for a significantly greater range. The significantly smaller delivery drone 16 can thus be used to place the package 12 in the motor vehicle 14 through the relatively small delivery opening 18 of the motor vehicle, while the larger mother drone 26 does not have to be moved through the delivery opening 18, which, depending on the application, might not even be possible due to the dimensions of the mother drone 26. With the help of the mother drone 26, the delivery drone 16, which is designed for a significantly shorter range, can also deliver packages 12 to locations that are actually outside the range of the delivery drone 16.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (14), with a closable delivery opening (18) for moving a package (12) to be deposited by a delivery drone (16) through, a communication module (20) for communication with the delivery drone (16), an automatic actuation device connected to the communication module (20) for opening and / or closing the delivery opening (18) in response to an actuation signal generated by the communication module (20) and a monitoring device (22) connected to the communication module (20) for measuring a relative position of the delivery drone (16) and / or the package (12) relative to the delivery opening (18) characterized by , that the monitoring device (22) has an optical camera provided in a rear-view mirror for detecting a state of fatigue of a driver, wherein this camera also has in its field of view a delivery opening (18) in a roof area of ​​the motor vehicle (14) that can be closed by a sliding roof. [2] Motor vehicle (14) according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device (22) is designed to detect a three-dimensional shape of the delivery drone (16) and / or the package (12) and to determine a spatial distance of the three-dimensional shape relative to the delivery opening (18). [3] Motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the communication module (20) is designed to transmit position data and / or movement vectors to the delivery drone (16) for updating a planned flight path on the basis of the monitoring data transmitted by the monitoring device (22). [4] Motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one delivery opening (18) can be closed by a sliding roof or a convertible top or a trunk lid or a hood. [5] Motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the delivery opening (18) makes a battery pack replaceable by the delivery drone (16) accessible. [6] Delivery system (10) for delivering parcels (12), comprising a motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 1 to 6 for receiving the parcel (12) and a delivery drone (16) for depositing the parcel (12) in the motor vehicle (14) and / or for retrieving the parcel (12) from the motor vehicle (14), wherein the delivery drone (16) is designed to adapt a movement of the delivery drone (16) and / or of the parcel (12) through the delivery opening (18) of the motor vehicle (14) in response to monitoring data of the monitoring device (22) of the motor vehicle (14) transmitted from the communication module (20) of the motor vehicle (14) to the delivery drone (16). [7] Delivery system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the camera of the monitoring device (22) of the motor vehicle (14) for measuring the spatial relative position of the delivery drone (16) relative to the delivery opening (18) of the motor vehicle (14) has a higher resolution and / or a better depth of field than a camera provided in the delivery drone (16). [8] Delivery system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a mother drone (26) designed for long-distance transport is provided, wherein the delivery drone (16) is connectable to the mother drone (26) for long-distance transport and is decoupleable from the mother drone (26) for movement in the vicinity of the delivery opening (18). [9] Delivery system (10) according to claim 8, wherein at least two delivery drones (16) are detachably connected to the mother drone (26), wherein in particular a first delivery drone is provided for picking up a package (12) and a second delivery drone is provided for depositing a package (12). [10] Delivery method for depositing and / or picking up a parcel (12), in which a motor vehicle (14) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or a delivery system (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9 is provided, a delivery drone (16) authenticates itself with the motor vehicle (14), after successful authentication, the delivery opening (18) is opened, and the delivery drone (16) adapts its flight path on the basis of monitoring data from the monitoring device (22) of the motor vehicle (14) when approaching and / or taking off from the delivery opening (18).

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