Management device, management method and mobile body

Abstract

To provide a management device, management method, and mobile vehicle, which improve the utilization rate of the mobile vehicle.SOLUTION: A management device 10 provided herein comprises a control unit 12 for managing an accommodating mobile vehicle 60 configured to accommodate accommodated mobile bodies 40. The accommodated mobile bodies 40 include a first mobile body accommodated in the accommodating mobile vehicle 60 and a second mobile body not accommodated in the accommodating mobile vehicle 60. The control unit 12 instructs the accommodating mobile vehicle 60 to transport the first mobile body while maintaining the first mobile body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a management method, and a mobile object. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Delivery vehicles that accommodate delivery mobile objects and travel are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-135500 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a system that operates moving objects, the availability rate of the moving objects decreases when the moving objects require maintenance. The availability rate of the moving objects may also decrease when moving objects that can no longer move interfere with moving objects that are in operation. There is a demand for improving the availability rate of moving objects.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the operating rate of a moving body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that manages a housing mobile body configured to house a housed mobile body. The housed mobile body includes a first mobile body housed in the housing mobile body and a second mobile body that is not housed in the housing mobile body. The control unit instructs the housing mobile body to transport the first mobile body while maintaining the first mobile body.

[0007] A management method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a management method for managing a accommodating mobile body configured to accommodate a accommodated mobile body, and includes instructing the accommodating mobile body to transport a first mobile body accommodated by the accommodating mobile body while maintaining it.

[0008] A moving body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage unit configured to store a stored moving body, and a control unit. The storage unit is configured to be able to perform maintenance while storing the stored moving body. The control unit controls the moving body so as to transport the stored moving body while performing maintenance on the stored moving body. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the management device, management method, and mobile body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the operating rate of the mobile body can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a management system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a delivery vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a housing mobile body. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a management method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Example of management system 1 configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, a management system 1 according to one embodiment includes a management device 10, a delivery vehicle 40, and a storage vehicle 60. The management system 1 further includes a terminal device 20, although this is not essential. The storage vehicle 60 is configured to be able to store the delivery vehicle 40. The storage vehicle 60 is also configured to be able to perform maintenance work on the delivery vehicle 40 inside while the delivery vehicle 40 is stored inside. Each component of the management system 1 will be described below.

[0012] <Management device 10> The management device 10 manages the operation of the storage vehicle 60. The management device 10 may further manage the operation of the delivery vehicle 40. The management device 10 includes a control unit 12 and an interface 14. The interface 14 is also referred to as I / F14.

[0013] The control unit 12 controls at least one component of the management device 10. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more processors. In this embodiment, the "processor" is a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, etc., but is not limited to these. The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuit may include, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 12 may be configured to include a dedicated circuit instead of a processor, or may be configured to include a dedicated circuit together with a processor.

[0014] The management device 10 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be, for example, but is not limited to, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory. The storage unit may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The storage unit may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The storage unit stores any information used in the operation of the management device 10. For example, the storage unit may store a system program, an application program, or the like. The storage unit may be included in the control unit 12.

[0015] The I / F 14 outputs information or data from the control unit 12 and inputs information or data to the control unit 12. The I / F 14 may include a communication module configured to be able to communicate with other devices such as the accommodation mobile body 60, the delivery mobile body 40, or the terminal device 20 via the network 30. The communication module may be compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may be compatible with communication standards such as LAN (Local Area Network). The communication module may be compatible with wired or wireless communication standards. The communication module is not limited to these and may be compatible with various communication standards. The I / F 14 may be configured to be connectable to the communication module.

[0016] The I / F 14 may be configured to include an input device that accepts input of information or data from a user. The input device may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel or a touch sensor, or a pointing device such as a mouse. The input device may be configured to include physical keys. The input device may be configured to include a voice input device such as a microphone.

[0017] The I / F 14 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information or data to a user. The output device may include, for example, a display device that outputs visual information such as an image, character, or figure. The display device may include, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or an inorganic EL display, or a Plasma Display Panel (PDP). The display device is not limited to these displays and may include displays of various other types. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The display device may include various other devices. The output device may include, for example, an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs audio information such as sound. The output device is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices.

[0018] The management device 10 may include one or more server devices capable of communicating with each other.

[0019] <Delivery vehicle 40> As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery vehicle 40 includes a main body 42 having a storage space for storing delivery items 50, which are items to be delivered, and a drive unit 44 for moving the delivery vehicle 40. The storage space of the main body 42 may be configured to store delivery items 50 packed in a delivery box or the like, or may be configured to store delivery items 50 that are not packed in a delivery box or the like. The main body 42 may include a locking mechanism for locking the delivery items 50 stored in the storage space. The drive unit 44 may include, for example, wheels or caterpillars as a mechanism for traveling on a road surface. The drive unit 44 may further include a drive mechanism such as a motor or engine that drives the wheels or caterpillars. The drive unit 44 may further include gears that transmit power from the drive mechanism to the wheels or caterpillars. The drive unit 44 may further include a battery that supplies power to the drive mechanism, a tank that supplies fuel, or the like.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery vehicle 40 further includes a vehicle control unit 46, although this is not essential. The vehicle control unit 46 controls at least one component of the delivery vehicle 40, such as the main body unit 42 or the drive unit 44 of the delivery vehicle 40. The vehicle control unit 46 may obtain destination information specifying a destination from the management device 10, and control the drive unit 44 to run autonomously based on the destination information. The delivery vehicle 40 may obtain control information instructing the timing of starting or stopping travel, or the travel speed, from the management device 10, and control the drive unit 44 based on the control information to run. When the delivery item 50 is stored in the main body unit 42, the vehicle control unit 46 may output information identifying the stored delivery item 50 to the management device 10. When the delivery item 50 is removed from the main body unit 42, the vehicle control unit 46 may output information identifying the removed delivery item 50 to the management device 10.

[0021] The mobile control unit 46 may be configured to include one or more processors. The mobile control unit 46 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits instead of a processor, or may be configured to include a dedicated circuit together with a processor. The delivery mobile unit 40 may be configured to include a memory unit. The memory unit of the delivery mobile unit 40 may be configured identically or similarly to the memory unit of the management device 10. The delivery mobile unit 40 may be configured to include an I / F or a communication module. The I / F or communication module of the delivery mobile unit 40 may be configured identically or similarly to the I / F or communication module of the management device 10.

[0022] The delivery mobile object 40 may be configured to include a location information detection unit that acquires location information of the delivery mobile object 40 itself. The delivery mobile object 40 may output location information of the delivery mobile object 40 itself to the management device 10. The location information detection unit may be configured to include a receiver compatible with a satellite positioning system. The receiver compatible with the satellite positioning system may include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.

[0023] The number of delivery vehicles 40 is not limited to one, but may be two or more. The delivery vehicles 40 are not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, but may be configured in various other forms capable of carrying and moving the delivery items 50.

[0024] The mobile control unit 46 may obtain detection results regarding the state of the delivery mobile unit 40 from various sensors installed in the delivery mobile unit 40. The mobile control unit 46 may obtain the state of the delivery mobile unit 40 based on the detection results of the sensors. The mobile control unit 46 may estimate the state of the delivery mobile unit 40. The mobile control unit 46 may estimate, for example, whether the delivery mobile unit 40 is capable of traveling as the state of the delivery mobile unit 40. The mobile control unit 46 may estimate whether the delivery mobile unit 40 is dirty or wet as the state of the delivery mobile unit 40. The mobile control unit 46 may estimate whether at least a part of the configuration of the delivery mobile unit 40 is broken as the state of the delivery mobile unit 40. The mobile control unit 46 may output information indicating the state of the delivery mobile unit 40 to the management device 10.

[0025] The information representing the state of the delivery vehicle 40 includes information representing that the delivery vehicle 40 is in a state requiring maintenance. The delivery vehicle 40 may be in a state requiring maintenance due to damage or malfunction of the main body unit 42 or the drive unit 44, or due to a low battery charge rate or a lack of fuel.

[0026] The mobile control unit 46 may determine that the delivery mobile unit 40 is in a state requiring maintenance when the delivery mobile unit 40 cannot move normally from the location and cannot deliver the delivery item 50 being delivered. The mobile control unit 46 may determine that the delivery mobile unit 40 is in a state requiring maintenance when, for example, the delivery mobile unit 40 is stopped, the running speed of the delivery mobile unit 40 is reduced by a predetermined rate compared to the normal speed, or a dangerous state occurs due to the running of the delivery mobile unit 40. The mobile control unit 46 may determine that the delivery mobile unit 40 is in a state requiring maintenance when the remaining battery level or remaining fuel level of the delivery mobile unit 40 is equal to or less than a predetermined level. The mobile control unit 46 may determine whether the delivery mobile unit 40 is in a state requiring maintenance based on various states of the delivery mobile unit 40.

[0027] <Containment vehicle 60> The accommodating mobile body 60 includes an accommodating section 62 configured to be able to accommodate the delivery mobile body 40 as shown in Fig. 3. The delivery mobile body 40 is also referred to as an accommodated mobile body since it is accommodated in the accommodating mobile body 60. The delivery mobile body 40 accommodated in the accommodating mobile body 60 is also referred to as a first mobile body. The delivery mobile body 40 not accommodated in the accommodating mobile body 60 is also referred to as a second mobile body. The second mobile bodies are divided into delivery mobile bodies 40 requiring maintenance and delivery mobile bodies 40 not requiring maintenance.

[0028] The storage unit 62 is configured to be able to maintain the delivery vehicle 40 while the delivery vehicle 40 is stored in the storage unit 62. The storage unit 62 may be equipped with, for example, tools or equipment used to maintain the delivery vehicle 40. The storage unit 62 may be configured to allow a worker who maintains the delivery vehicle 40 to ride in the storage unit 62.

[0029] 1, the storage vehicle 60 further includes a vehicle control unit 64. The vehicle control unit 64 controls the traveling of the storage vehicle 60. The vehicle control unit 64 may also control maintenance work of the delivery vehicle 40 stored in the storage unit 62. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 64 may control maintenance tools or maintenance devices in the storage unit 62. The vehicle control unit 64 may notify a worker riding in the storage unit 62 of the content of the maintenance work.

[0030] The mobile object control unit 64 may be configured to include one or more processors. The mobile object control unit 64 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits instead of a processor, or may be configured to include a dedicated circuit together with a processor. The accommodated mobile object 60 may be configured to include a memory unit. The memory unit of the accommodated mobile object 60 may be configured identically or similarly to the memory unit of the management device 10. The accommodated mobile object 60 may be configured to include an I / F or a communication module. The I / F or communication module of the accommodated mobile object 60 may be configured identically or similarly to the I / F or communication module of the management device 10.

[0031] <Terminal Device 20> The terminal device 20 may accept input of information specifying the location or time to ship the delivery item 50 from a user who sends the delivery item 50, and output the input information to the management device 10. The terminal device 20 may accept input of information specifying the location or time to receive the delivery item 50 from a user who receives the delivery item 50, and output the input information to the management device 10. The terminal device 20 may obtain information related to the delivery status of the delivery item 50 from the management device 10, and notify the user who sent the delivery item 50 or the user who receives the delivery item 50 of the delivery status of the delivery item 50.

[0032] The terminal device 20 may be configured to include one or more processors or one or more dedicated circuits. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a storage unit. The storage unit of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the storage unit of the management device 10. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an I / F or a communication module. The I / F or communication module of the terminal device 20 may be configured identically or similarly to the I / F or communication module of the management device 10.

[0033] The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an input device that accepts input of information, data, etc. from a user. The input device may be configured to include various devices described as the I / F 14. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include an output device that outputs information, data, etc. to the user. The output device may be configured to include various devices described as the I / F 14.

[0034] The number of terminal devices 20 included in the management system 1 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. The terminal device 20 may be configured to include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a PC such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet PC. The terminal device 20 is not limited to these examples, and may be configured to include various devices.

[0035] (Example of operation of management system 1) In the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the management device 10 manages the operation of the storage vehicle 60 and the delivery vehicle 40. As described below, the delivery vehicle 40 operates to deliver the delivery item 50 from the delivery origin to the delivery destination. In addition, the storage vehicle 60 operates to store the delivery vehicle 40 that is the maintenance target and transport the delivery vehicle 40 when the delivery vehicle 40 requires maintenance. A specific example of management will be described below.

[0036] <Management of delivery vehicle 40> The management device 10 manages the operation of the delivery vehicle 40 so that the delivery vehicle 40 picks up the delivery item 50 at the delivery origin and delivers the delivery item 50 to the delivery destination. When the delivery vehicle 40 does not pick up the delivery item 50 or has the capacity to pick up the delivery item 50, the management device 10 designates the delivery origin of the delivery item 50 as the movement destination of the delivery vehicle 40 so that the delivery vehicle 40 picks up the delivery item 50. When the delivery vehicle 40 picks up the delivery item 50, the management device 10 designates the movement destination of the delivery vehicle 40 so that the delivery vehicle 40 delivers the picked up delivery item 50.

[0037] The delivery origin includes a location where the delivery item 50 is sent. The delivery item 50 may be sent from a user such as a corporation or individual, or may be sent from a logistics center or the like that collects the delivery item 50. The delivery destination includes a location where the delivery item 50 is received. The delivery item 50 may be received by a user such as a corporation or individual, or may be received at a logistics center or the like that collects the delivery item 50. The delivery origin or delivery destination is not limited to these examples and may include various locations. The management device 10 plans and manages the operation of the delivery vehicle 40 so as to increase the number of delivery items 50 handled in collection or delivery.

[0038] The more the number of operating delivery vehicles 40, the more delivery items 50 can be handled. Also, the longer the operating time of each delivery vehicle 40, the more delivery items 50 can be handled. In other words, the higher the operating rate of the delivery vehicles 40, the more delivery items 50 can be handled. The management device 10 manages the operation of the delivery vehicles 40 so as to increase the operating rate of the delivery vehicles 40.

[0039] The management device 10 manages the status of the delivery vehicle 40 in order to manage the operation of the delivery vehicle 40. The status of the delivery vehicle 40 includes whether the delivery vehicle 40 is in a state requiring maintenance. The status of the delivery vehicle 40 may include the number, weight or type of delivery items 50 contained in the delivery vehicle 40, the delivery location, the delivery time, etc.

[0040] <Management of the accommodation mobile body 60> When the delivery vehicle 40 is in a state requiring maintenance, the control unit 12 of the management device 10 plans maintenance of the delivery vehicle 40. When the delivery vehicle 40 is maintained, the availability rate of the delivery vehicle 40 decreases. The control unit 12 may plan maintenance of the delivery vehicle 40 so as to maintain or increase the availability rate of the delivery vehicle 40. The control unit 12 causes the delivery vehicle 40 to be accommodated in the accommodation vehicle 60, and manages the operation of the accommodation vehicle 60 so as to maintain the delivery vehicle 40 while it is accommodated in the accommodation vehicle 60. In addition, the control unit 12 causes the accommodation vehicle 60 to transport the delivery vehicle 40 so as to approach the destination of the delivery vehicle 40 while maintaining the delivery vehicle 40. In other words, the control unit 12 instructs the accommodation vehicle 60 to transport the delivery vehicle 40 while maintaining it. The destination of the delivery vehicle 40 may include the delivery origin or delivery destination of the delivery by the delivery vehicle 40. By transporting the delivery vehicle 40 while performing maintenance, the travel distance of the delivery vehicle 40 is shortened. The shortened travel distance can increase the availability of the delivery vehicle 40.

[0041] Maintenance work for the delivery vehicle 40 in the storage vehicle 60 may include, for example, repairs, part replacement, or charging or refueling of the delivery vehicle 40.

[0042] The storage mobile body 60 may drop off the maintained delivery mobile body 40 (first mobile body) at a predetermined point and place it as a second mobile body. That is, the control unit 12 may instruct the storage mobile body 60 to drop off the maintained delivery mobile body 40 at a predetermined point and place it. The control unit 12 may determine the predetermined point based on the delivery origin or delivery destination when the placed delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) delivers the delivery item 50. In this way, the delivery mobile body 40 can resume operation near the point where it needs to move for delivery work. As a result, the operating rate of the delivery mobile body 40 can be increased.

[0043] The control unit 12 may store the delivery vehicle 40 to be placed at a predetermined location to perform delivery work in the storage vehicle 60 and transport it while maintaining it. The control unit 12 may determine the delivery vehicle 40 to be stored in the storage vehicle 60 based on information about the delivery item 50. The information about the delivery item 50 may include, for example, the size or weight of the delivery item 50, or the delivery origin or delivery destination of the delivery item 50. The size or weight of the delivery item 50 that can be stored in the main body 42 is determined as the specifications of the main body 42 of the delivery vehicle 40. In addition, the location where the delivery vehicle 40 can travel is determined as the specifications of the external shape or drive unit 44 of the delivery vehicle 40. The control unit 12 may determine the delivery vehicle 40 with the specifications to deliver the delivery item 50 as the delivery vehicle 40 to be stored in the storage vehicle 60 based on the size or weight of the delivery item 50. The control unit 12 may determine, based on the origin or destination of the delivery item 50, a delivery vehicle 40 capable of traveling to the origin or destination as the delivery vehicle 40 to be accommodated in the storage vehicle 60. In other words, the control unit 12 may determine the type of delivery vehicle 40 to be accommodated in the storage vehicle 60 based on information on the delivery item 50.

[0044] By storing a new delivery mobile 40 in the storage mobile 60, the number of delivery mobiles 40 in operation is reduced. The control unit 12 may cause the storage mobile 60 to unload and place the maintained delivery mobile 40 in order to operate the delivery mobile 40 in place of the delivery mobile 40 stored in the storage mobile 60. In other words, the control unit 12 may instruct the storage mobile 60 to unload the maintained delivery mobile 40 (first mobile) instead of storing the delivery mobile 40 (second mobile) that is not stored. In this way, the number of delivery mobiles 40 can be secured. As a result, the operating rate of the delivery mobiles 40 can be secured.

[0045] The control unit 12 may instruct the accommodation mobile body 60 to complete maintenance of the accommodation delivery mobile body 40 (first mobile body) before accommodating the second mobile body. In this manner, the maintenance-completed delivery mobile body 40 (first mobile body) can be immediately placed instead of accommodating the second mobile body.

[0046] When the delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) to be accommodated is accommodating the delivery item 50, the delivery item 50 is accommodated in the accommodating mobile body 60 together with the delivery mobile body 40. The accommodating mobile body 60 may accommodate the delivery item 50 in the delivery mobile body 40 to be placed in place of the delivery mobile body 40 to be accommodated so that the delivery of the delivery item 50 is not stopped. In other words, the delivery item 50 may be transferred from the delivery mobile body 40 to be accommodated to the delivery mobile body 40 to be placed. In other words, the control unit 12 may instruct the accommodating mobile body 60 to accommodate the delivery item 50 accommodated in the delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) to be accommodated in the delivery mobile body 40 (first mobile body) that has been maintained and is to be placed in its place. In this way, the delivery item 50 is less likely to stop being relayed by the delivery mobile body 40 in operation. As a result, the delivery efficiency can be maintained or improved.

[0047] When accommodating a delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) that is not accommodated, the control unit 12 may instruct the accommodating mobile body 60 to accommodate the delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) that is not accommodating a delivery item 50. In this way, the delivery item 50 is less likely to stop. As a result, delivery efficiency can be maintained or improved.

[0048] When a delivery mobile unit 40 (second mobile unit) that is not accommodated needs maintenance, there may be no accommodation mobile unit 60 that can accommodate the delivery mobile unit 40. In this case, the accommodation mobile unit 60 may collect the delivery item 50 accommodated in the delivery mobile unit 40 and transfer it to another delivery mobile unit 40. The accommodation mobile unit 60 may accommodate the delivery item 50 in the accommodation delivery mobile unit 40 that has been maintained and place the delivery mobile unit 40 at a predetermined location. The accommodation mobile unit 60 may transport the collected delivery item 50 to another delivery mobile unit 40 (second mobile unit) that is not accommodated and have the delivery mobile unit 40 accommodate the delivery item 50. In other words, when the accommodation mobile unit 60 cannot accommodate the delivery mobile unit 40 that needs maintenance among the delivery mobile units 40 (second mobile units) that are not accommodated, the control unit 12 may instruct the accommodation mobile unit 60 to have the accommodation mobile unit 60 collect the delivery item 50 accommodated in the delivery mobile unit 40 that needs maintenance. In this way, the delivery article 50 is less likely to stop. As a result, delivery efficiency can be maintained or increased.

[0049] The delivery mobile body 40 may become in a state requiring maintenance during movement. The control unit 12 may place the storage mobile body 60 in an area where the unstored delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) moves. In this manner, the time required for the delivery mobile body 40 to be stored in the storage mobile body 60 when the delivery mobile body 40 becomes in a state requiring maintenance can be shortened. As a result, the operating rate of the delivery mobile body 40 can be increased. In addition, the time required for the delivery item 50 to be collected from the delivery mobile body 40 that becomes in a state requiring maintenance can be shortened. As a result, the delivery efficiency can be maintained or increased.

[0050] The accommodating mobile body 60 may be larger than the delivery mobile body 40 and may only be able to travel in a limited area. The external size of the accommodating mobile body 60 that can travel in a certain area may be limited. The delivery mobile body 40 may need maintenance in an area where only the limited accommodating mobile body 60 can travel. In this case, the control unit 12 may select an accommodating mobile body 60 that can accommodate only one delivery mobile body 40 and instruct the selected accommodating mobile body 60 to accommodate the delivery mobile body 40 that needs maintenance. The control unit 12 may also place in a specified area an accommodating mobile body 60 that can accommodate only one delivery mobile body 40 (second mobile body) that moves in the specified area. In this way, the time required to accommodate the delivery mobile body 40 that needs maintenance can be reduced. As a result, the operating rate of the delivery mobile body 40 can be increased.

[0051] <Example of management procedure> As described above, in the management system 1 according to this embodiment, the management device 10 can transport the delivery vehicle 40 to a predetermined location while storing the delivery vehicle 40 in the storage vehicle 60 and maintaining the delivery vehicle 40. The control unit 12 of the management device 10 may execute a management method including the steps of the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 4, for example. The management method may be realized as a management program executed by the control unit 12.

[0052] The control unit 12 causes the storage mobile unit 60 to store the delivery mobile unit 40 (step S1). The control unit 12 causes the storage mobile unit 60 to transport the delivery mobile unit 40 while performing maintenance (step S2). The control unit 12 determines whether the maintenance of the delivery mobile unit 40 has been completed in the storage mobile unit 60 (step S3). If the maintenance of the delivery mobile unit 40 has not been completed (step S3: NO), the control unit 12 returns to the procedure of step S2. If the maintenance of the delivery mobile unit 40 has been completed (step S3: YES), the control unit 12 drops off and places the maintained delivery mobile unit 40 at a predetermined location (step S4). After performing the procedure of step S4, the control unit 12 ends the execution of the procedure of the flowchart in FIG. 4.

[0053] <Summary> As described above, according to the management system 1, management device 10, and management method of the present embodiment, the storage mobile body 60 can store the delivery mobile body 40 and transport it while maintaining it. In other words, the delivery mobile body 40 is transported while being maintained. In this way, the travel time of the delivery mobile body 40 can be shortened. As a result, the operating rate of the delivery mobile body 40 can be increased.

[0054] The storage mobile body 60 or the delivery mobile body 40 is not limited to a vehicle as described above, and may be a mobile body of various types such as a robot or a drone. The delivery mobile body 40 is not limited to the delivery of the delivery item 50. The delivery mobile body 40 may be replaced with a mobile body used for purposes other than delivery.

[0055] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means or steps can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Management System 10 Management device (12: control unit, 14: I / F) 20 Terminal Equipment 30 Network 40 Delivery vehicle (42: main body, 44: drive unit, 46: vehicle control unit) 50 Delivery goods 60 housing movable body (62: housing section, 64: movable body control section)

Claims

1. A control unit that manages a storage mobile body configured to be able to store a delivery mobile body, The control unit is From the delivery vehicle, information indicating whether the delivery vehicle has determined that the state of the delivery vehicle requires maintenance based on a detection result from a sensor and a delivery destination of a delivery item contained in the delivery vehicle are obtained as information indicating the state of the delivery vehicle; Planning maintenance of the delivery vehicle whose condition is determined to be in a state requiring maintenance; Manage the operation of the storage vehicle based on a maintenance plan for the delivery vehicle; When the delivery mobile body that has been determined to be in a state requiring maintenance is accommodated in the accommodating mobile body and transported while performing maintenance, an instruction is given to the accommodating mobile body to bring the delivery mobile body closer to a delivery destination of the delivery item accommodated in the delivery mobile body that is accommodated in the accommodating mobile body; When the delivery mobile body that is determined to be in a state requiring maintenance is to be accommodated in the accommodating mobile body, instruct the accommodating mobile body to move the delivery mobile body closer to a delivery destination of a delivery item accommodated in the delivery mobile body that is not accommodated in the accommodating mobile body; A management device instructs the storage vehicle to unload and place the delivery vehicle that has been maintained at a specified location.

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the predetermined point based on a delivery destination when the delivery vehicle that is unloaded from the storage vehicle delivers the delivery item.

3. The management device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit determines a type of the delivery vehicle to be accommodated in the accommodation vehicle based on information related to the delivery item.

4. The control unit of the management device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, when accommodating the delivery vehicle in the accommodating vehicle, instructs the accommodating vehicle to unload the maintained delivery vehicle that is accommodated in the accommodating vehicle instead of the delivery vehicle to be accommodated.

5. The management device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit instructs the accommodating vehicle to complete maintenance of the delivery vehicle accommodated in the accommodating vehicle before accommodating the delivery vehicle that is not accommodated in the accommodating vehicle.

6. The control unit instructs the accommodating mobile body to accommodate the delivery items accommodated in the delivery mobile body in a maintained delivery mobile body to be placed in place of the delivery mobile body accommodated in the accommodating mobile body.

7. The management device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit instructs the accommodating mobile body to accommodate the delivery mobile body that is not accommodating the delivery item.

8. The control unit of the management device described in any one of claims 1 to 7, when the delivery mobile body requiring maintenance cannot be accommodated in the accommodating mobile body, instructs the accommodating mobile body to retrieve the delivery items that are accommodated in the delivery mobile body requiring maintenance that cannot be accommodated in the accommodating mobile body.

9. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit arranges the accommodation mobile body in an area where the delivery mobile body moves.

10. The management device according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit arranges, in the predetermined area, a mobile body capable of accommodating only one of the delivery mobile bodies moving in the predetermined area as the accommodating mobile body.

11. A management method executed by a management device that manages a storage vehicle configured to store a delivery vehicle that delivers a delivery item, comprising: Obtaining from the delivery vehicle information representing the state of the delivery vehicle, information representing whether the delivery vehicle has determined based on a detection result of a sensor that the state of the delivery vehicle is in a state requiring maintenance, and a delivery destination of a delivery item contained in the delivery vehicle; Planning maintenance of the delivery vehicle whose condition is determined to be in a state requiring maintenance; Managing the operation of the storage vehicle based on a maintenance plan for the delivery vehicle; When the delivery mobile body that has been determined to be in a state requiring maintenance is accommodated in the accommodating mobile body and transported while performing maintenance, an instruction is given to the accommodating mobile body to bring the delivery mobile body closer to a delivery destination of the delivery item accommodated in the delivery mobile body that is accommodated in the accommodating mobile body; When the delivery mobile body determined to be in a state requiring maintenance is accommodated in the accommodation mobile body, instruct the accommodation mobile body to move the delivery mobile body closer to a delivery destination of a delivery item accommodated in the delivery mobile body that is not accommodated in the accommodation mobile body; Instructing the storage vehicle to unload and place the delivery vehicle that has been maintained at a predetermined location; (c) a method of administration;

12. The management method described in claim 11, further comprising, when storing the delivery vehicle in the storage vehicle, instructing the storage vehicle to place the maintained delivery vehicle stored in the storage vehicle in place of the delivery vehicle to be stored.

13. The management method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising instructing the storage vehicle to store the delivery vehicle that is not storing the delivery item.

14. The management method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising disposing a mobile body capable of accommodating only one of the delivery mobile bodies moving within a predetermined area as the accommodating mobile body in the predetermined area.

15. A mobile body comprising a storage unit configured to store a delivery mobile body that delivers delivery items, and a control unit, and the operation of the delivery mobile body that is determined to be in a state requiring maintenance based on a detection result of a sensor is managed based on a maintenance plan, The storage unit is configured to be maintainable while storing the delivery vehicle, The control unit is When the delivery mobile object determined to be in a state requiring maintenance is accommodated in the accommodation unit and transported while being maintained, the delivery mobile object accommodated in the accommodation unit is controlled so as to approach a delivery destination of a delivery item accommodated therein; When storing the delivery mobile object determined to be in a state requiring maintenance in the storage unit, the delivery mobile object is controlled so that the delivery mobile object not stored in the storage unit approaches a delivery destination of a delivery item stored therein; A mobile body that controls the mobile body so that, among the delivery mobile bodies stored in the storage section, the delivery mobile bodies that have been maintained are unloaded and placed at a predetermined location.

16. The mobile body according to claim 15, wherein the control unit controls the mobile body to place the maintained delivery mobile body housed in the housing unit in place of the delivery mobile body to be housed when the delivery mobile body is housed in the housing unit.

17. The mobile body according to claim 16, wherein the control unit controls the mobile body to complete maintenance of the delivery mobile body housed in the storage unit before housing the delivery mobile body not housed in the storage unit in the storage unit.

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