Delivery robot system and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide a delivery robot system and a control method thereof capable of appropriately delivering a package delivered to an employee in a facility where a work at home and a free address system are introduced.SOLUTION: A server device 10 determines, based on information from a terminal 30 and a portable terminal 80 used by an employee 5, whether or not the employee 5 is at work and determines a workplace of the subject employee determined to be at work. The server device 10 determines whether or not there is a subject package delivered to the subject employee. If it is determined that there is the subject package, a delivery robot 40 delivers the subject package to the workplace of the subject employee.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delivery robot system and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of a system that streamlines the receipt of goods in facilities such as apartment complexes where deliveries (goods) are delivered to multiple users is the goods receipt system described in JP 2021-15436 A (Patent Document 1). In this goods receipt system, when a delivery company places goods in a storage device, the storage status of the storage device is managed by a management server, and the user can unlock the storage box and remove the goods by entering unlocking information.

[0003] Meanwhile, in offices and other facilities, when mail or other packages addressed to employees are delivered to the facility, the facility's delivery staff delivers the packages to the employee's work location. However, in recent years, with the spread of COVID-19, an increasing number of companies have adopted telecommuting. As a result, an increasing number of companies are introducing free address systems within their facilities. In a free address system, employees do not have fixed seats and can use any seat they like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-15436 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When these systems are implemented, the employees' work locations are unknown, so delivery staff at the facility will need to identify the employees' work locations when delivering packages. Also, because packages must be delivered to employees on the days they work at the facility, delivery staff will need to check the employees' work schedules, which places a heavy burden on delivery staff.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a delivery robot system and a control method thereof that can efficiently deliver packages that arrive to employees in facilities that have introduced telecommuting and a free address system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The delivery robot system according to the present disclosure includes a delivery robot and a control device. The delivery robot delivers packages delivered to a facility to employees who are present at the facility. The control device controls the delivery robot. Employees can freely select their work location within the facility. The control device determines whether an employee is present at work and the work location of a target employee who is determined to be present at work, based on information from the terminal used by the employee. The control device determines whether a target package has been delivered to the target employee. If it is determined that a target package exists, the delivery robot delivers the target package to the work location of the target employee.

[0008] A control method according to the present disclosure is a control method for a delivery robot that delivers packages delivered to a facility to employees who are present at the facility, and the employees' work locations can be freely selected within the facility. The control method includes the steps of: determining whether an employee is present at work and the work location of a target employee who is determined to be present at work based on information from a terminal used by the employee; determining whether a target package has been delivered to the target employee; and, if it is determined that a target package exists, having the delivery robot deliver the target package to the work location of the target employee. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, packages that arrive at employees in facilities that have introduced telecommuting and free address systems can be delivered in an efficient manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a delivery robot system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a delivery robot system. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of work location data. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of luggage data. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating how a package is taken out of a delivery locker. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining how a package is delivered. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of an attendance determination process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a server-side process and a robot-side process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a delivery robot system 100. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the delivery robot system 100.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery robot system 100 is installed in a facility 1. In this embodiment, the facility 1 is an office building owned by Company A. Multiple employees 5 working for Company A can choose to work from home or come to work at the facility 1. Company A has introduced a free address system. In this system, employees 5 do not have fixed seats and can use any seat they like. In other words, employees 5 can freely select their work location (seat) within the facility 1 to perform their work.

[0014] The delivery robot system 100 includes a server device 10 as a control device, an equipment management device 20, a delivery robot 40, a delivery locker 110, and multiple wireless communication devices (communication devices) 72. The delivery robot 40 is an autonomous mobile robot that moves autonomously within a facility 1 and delivers packages 6. The server device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the delivery robot 40, the delivery locker 110, etc. via the equipment management device 20.

[0015] Parcels 6 such as mail delivered from outside to facility 1 addressed to employees 5 of Company A are stored by a delivery company in delivery lockers 110. In the delivery lockers 110, one locker is assigned to each employee 5.

[0016] If employee 5 has a fixed desk, when package 6 arrives, an in-house delivery person can simply deliver package 6 to that desk. However, in the case of a free address system, even if package 6 arrives at facility 1, employee 5 can freely choose a desk to work at, so it is not known where the employee is working. If the employee works from home, there is no place to deliver package 6. If package 6 is manually delivered to employee 5's desk, the workload of checking the employee's work schedule and identifying the employee's desk (work location) is significant. On the other hand, even if employee 5 goes to the collection location to check whether package 6 is available and receive it, the workload on employee 5 is also significant. To solve these problems, a delivery robot system 100 is configured as described below.

[0017] Each employee 5 carries and uses a terminal. The mobile terminals include a mobile terminal 80 as a first terminal and a terminal 30 as a second terminal. Each employee 5 carries a mobile terminal 80 loaned to them by Company A. The mobile terminal 80 is, for example, a smartphone capable of making calls. When each employee 5 arrives at work at facility 1, they log in to the terminal 30 and use it for work. The terminal 30 may be installed at facility 1 or may be owned by each employee 5. The terminal 30 is, for example, a laptop computer.

[0018] A plurality of wireless communication devices 72 are installed on the ceilings of each room, corridor, etc. within the facility 1. These wireless communication devices 72 communicate with the wireless communication device 42 provided on the delivery robot 40 and the wireless communication device (not shown) provided on the mobile terminal 80, and can identify the current positions of the mobile terminal 80 and the delivery robot 40.

[0019] Furthermore, the terminal 30 can communicate with the server device 10, and the server device 10 can identify that the employee 5 has logged in from the terminal 30. The delivery robot 40 has the function of picking up the package 6 delivered to the facility 1 (stored in the delivery locker 110) and delivering it to the employee 5 who comes to work at the facility 1.

[0020] 2, the server device 10 includes a processor 11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a hard disk drive (HDD) 14, and a communication interface (IF) 15. The processor 11 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). These components exchange various types of data via a communication bus 16.

[0021] The processor 11 loads a program stored in the HDD 14 or the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. The program describes the processes to be executed by the server device 10.

[0022] The communication IF 15 is an input / output device for exchanging signals or data with the equipment management device 20 and the terminal 30. The server device 10 receives, via the communication IF 15, the position of the delivery robot 40 detected by the equipment management device 20, an ID output by the delivery robot 40 for identifying the delivery robot 40, a signal output by the delivery robot 40, information from the parcel locker 110 and the mobile terminal 80, and the like.

[0023] The HDD 14 is a storage device that stores various types of information, such as work location data 91, package data 92, information about the facility 1, and information about the delivery robot 40, which will be described later.

[0024] The delivery robot 40 includes a control unit 41 , a wireless communication device 42 , a memory unit 44 , a camera 45 , an arm 47 , a battery 48 , and a drive unit 49 .

[0025] The control unit 41 controls the entire delivery robot 40. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 41 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a communication IF as its main components. The CPU loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM describes the processing to be executed by the delivery robot 40. Note that the processing is not limited to being performed by software, and can also be performed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

[0026] The wireless communication device 42 outputs a signal for detecting the position of the delivery robot 40 using a communication method that complies with the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy; "Bluetooth" is a registered trademark) communication standard. Instead of the BLE communication standard, a communication method that complies with the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard may be used. The wireless communication device 42 also transmits a signal indicating an ID for identifying the delivery robot 40 to the equipment management device 20 using a communication method that complies with a wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0027] The camera 45 captures images of the area around the delivery robot 40 and outputs the captured images to the control unit 41. Instead of the camera 45, a laser rangefinder or the like may be provided that measures the distance between the delivery robot 40 and an object present around the delivery robot 40.

[0028] The drive unit 49 generates a drive force for moving the delivery robot 40. The drive unit 49 includes, for example, wheels for moving the delivery robot 40 and a motor for driving the wheels. The drive unit 49 can be operated by receiving a supply of power from the battery 48.

[0029] Arm 47 is a robot arm that picks up parcels 6 stored in delivery locker 110, and stores the picked-up parcels 6 in delivery robot 40. Control unit 41 identifies the position of parcel 6 based on the image captured by camera 45, and controls arm 47 to pick up parcel 6.

[0030] The control unit 41 controls the drive unit 49 so that the delivery robot 40 moves autonomously based on images captured by the camera 45. The battery 48 supplies power for operating the drive unit 49 and other devices of the delivery robot 40. The memory unit 44 temporarily stores various information used by the delivery robot 40.

[0031] The multiple wireless communication devices 72 are installed at an appropriate distance from each other on the ceiling 61, and receive signals transmitted from the delivery robot 40 using a communication method that complies with the same communication standard as the wireless communication device 42 of the delivery robot 40, and detect the reception strength of the signals. The position of the delivery robot 40 within the facility can be detected from the reception strength of each wireless communication device 72. The wireless communication devices 72 output the reception strength of the signals received from the delivery robot 40 to the equipment management device 20. The wireless communication devices 70 may be installed on a wall.

[0032] The mobile terminal 80 is also equipped with a wireless communication device similar to the delivery robot 40, and is capable of communicating with each wireless communication device 72. In a similar manner, the position of the mobile terminal 80 is also identified by communication with each wireless communication device 72.

[0033] The equipment management device 20 controls equipment installed within the facility 1, such as the wireless communication devices 72, delivery robots 40, and delivery lockers 110. Based on commands from the server device 10, the equipment management device 20 issues commands to the delivery robots 40 and transmits and receives information to and from the delivery lockers 110. The equipment management device 20 identifies the location of the delivery robot 40 and the location of the mobile terminal 80 based on the reception strength received by each wireless communication device 72.

[0034] The device management device 20 is connected to a communication network NW. The device management device 20, a server device 10, and a terminal 30 are connected to the communication network NW.

[0035] The server device 10 can output commands to the delivery robot 40 via the equipment management device 20, and can also obtain information such as the location information of the delivery robot 40. Furthermore, the server device 10 can control the delivery lockers 110 via the equipment management device 20, and manages information on employees 5 who log in from terminals 30.

[0036] The terminal 30 is, for example, a personal computer or a notebook computer. The terminal 30 includes an input unit 34 and a display 35 that displays various information. The input unit 34 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. Instructions can be given to the terminal 30 by operating the input unit 34.

[0037] Like the server device 10, the terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 80 are configured to include a CPU, RAM, ROM, and a communication IF. The management and control of the delivery robot 40 may be performed by the server device 10, the equipment management device 20, or another server. The server device 10 may be a cloud server installed outside the facility 1. All of the functions executed by the server device 10 may also be provided in the delivery robot 40.

[0038] Delivery locker 110 includes control unit 114 and unlocking unit 115. Control unit 114 controls delivery locker 110. Unlocking unit 115 opens and closes the locker door based on commands from control unit 114.

[0039] The delivery locker 110 includes a plurality of lockers. Each of the plurality of lockers is a personal locker assigned to each employee 5. The delivery company stores the package 6 in the locker assigned to each employee 5 according to the destination of the package 6 to be delivered to the facility 1.

[0040] For example, if locker B is assigned to employee A and package 6 is addressed to employee A, the delivery company will store package 6 in locker B. At that time, the delivery company inputs the address information from an input terminal (not shown) provided in delivery locker 110. In response to this, control unit 114 may issue a command to unlock unit 115 to unlock the locker corresponding to the address (if the address is employee A, unlock locker B).

[0041] The server device 10 controls the delivery locker 110 via the device management device 20. When a package 6 is delivered to the delivery locker 110 by a delivery company, the control unit 114 notifies the server device 10 of the locker information (for example, the locker number where the package 6 is stored, the destination of the package 6 (employee 5), etc.).

[0042] This allows the server device 10 to manage which locker stores the package 6 of which employee 5. When the delivery robot 40 delivers the package 6, the server device 10 sends an unlock command to the control unit 114. When the control unit 114 receives the unlock command, the unlocking unit 115 unlocks the locker to be used for delivery, allowing the delivery robot 40 to retrieve the package 6.

[0043] A specific example will be explained below. Fig. 3 is an example of work location data 91. The work location data 91 is stored in the HDD 14 of the server device 10. The work location data 91 is data that records the "login time" of employee 5 who comes to work at facility 1 (the time when employee 5 logs in to terminal 30), the "employee ID" that identifies employee 5, and the "work location" of employee 5.

[0044] Facility 1 is equipped with multiple rooms, including rooms A to D, and employees 5 are free to choose any room when they come to work and perform their work (tasks) at any seat within that room.

[0045] For example, at 8:44:10 on May 18, 2023, employee 5 with employee ID "Z3" arrives at work (logs in to terminal 30) and his work location is room A (X1, Y1) in facility 1. Here, room A (X1, Y1) is a numerical value indicating the coordinate in the X-axis direction and the coordinate in the Y-axis direction that identifies the position of room A on the floor plane.

[0046] Furthermore, at 8:46:05 on May 18, 2023, employee 5 with employee ID "Z6" comes to work, and their work location is room D (X2, Y2) in facility 1. At 8:50:26 on May 18, 2023, employee 5 with employee ID "Z1" comes to work, and their work location is room C (X3, Y3) in facility 1.

[0047] 4 is an example of the package data 92. The package data 92 is stored in the HDD 14 of the server device 10. The package data 92 is data that records information about packages stored in the delivery lockers 110.

[0048] The package data 92 records the "arrival time" of the package 6 (the time it was stored in the locker), the "employee ID" of the employee 5 to whom the package is addressed, the "locker number" of the locker in which the package 6 is stored, and the "status" of the package 6. The "status" is recorded as "delivered" if the package 6 has been delivered to the employee 5 by the delivery robot 40 (package 6 is not in the locker), and as "undelivered" if it has not been delivered (package 6 is in the locker).

[0049] For example, at 10:20:05 on May 16, 2023, package 6 addressed to employee 5 with employee ID "Z9" is stored in locker number "N9" (the locker assigned to this employee 5). This package 6 has already been delivered to employee 5 with employee ID "Z9".

[0050] Furthermore, at 18:44:00 on May 17, 2023, package 6 addressed to employee 5 with employee ID "Z1" was stored in locker number "N1" (the locker assigned to this employee 5), and package 6 has not yet been delivered to employee 5 with employee ID "Z1."

[0051] According to the work location data 91, employees 5 with employee IDs: Z3, Z6, and Z1 are at work, and according to the package data 92, it is known that employee 5 with employee ID: Z1 has an undelivered package 6. In this case, the delivery robot 40 retrieves package 6 from locker with locker number "N1", transports package 6 to the location (X3, Y3) of room C, and delivers package 6 to employee 5 with employee ID: Z1.

[0052] 5 is a diagram illustrating how package 6 is removed from delivery locker 110. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, server device 10 sends an unlock command to the locker with locker number "N1." This causes control unit 114 of delivery locker 110 to cause unlocking unit 115 to unlock the locker with locker number "N1."

[0053] The delivery robot 40 receives a command from the server device 10 to retrieve the package 6 belonging to the employee 5 with the employee ID "Z1" from the locker with the locker number "N1" and transport the package 6 to the location (X3, Y3) of the room C.

[0054] The delivery robot 40 travels to the delivery locker 110 and drives the arm 47 to remove the package 6 from the locker with locker number "N1". The delivery robot 40 detects the location of the locker with locker number "N1" and the package 6 based on an image captured by the camera 45. The delivery robot 40 stores the removed package 6 in a storage unit (not shown) of the delivery robot 40.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the delivery of package 6. Fig. 6 shows a desk located in room C and employees 5a and 5b who have come to work in room C. Employee 5a's employee ID is "Z1", and he is working (doing business) at a work location located at (X3, Y3).

[0056] The delivery robot 40 enters room C. Then, the delivery robot 40 travels to the location (X3, Y3) where the employee 5a with employee ID "Z1" is located. The delivery robot 40 drives the arm 47 to remove the package 6 from the storage section. At this time, the delivery robot 40 may notify the employee 5a by voice or other means that the package 6 has arrived.

[0057] As a result, employee 5a with employee ID "Z1" can receive package 6. The delivery robot 40 notifies the server device 10 that employee 5a with employee ID "Z1" has received package 6. As a result, the server device 10 updates the "status" in the data for employee ID "Z1" in the package data 92 shown in FIG. 4 from "undelivered" to "delivered."

[0058] The delivery robot system 100 may be configured without using the delivery lockers 110 described above. In this case, packages 6 arriving at the facility 1 may be collected in one location, and the package data 92 (identifying the employee 5) may be manually entered and registered. The delivery lockers 110 may also be used by multiple people (for example, by a department) rather than by an individual. The delivery robot 40 may also deliver to individual rooms (for example, near the entrance to each room) rather than to the desk where the employee 5 works.

[0059] The following description will be given using a flowchart. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the attendance determination process. The attendance determination process is a process executed by the server device 10. The attendance determination process may be started periodically (for example, every second). Hereinafter, "step" may also be simply referred to as "S".

[0060] When the attendance determination process starts, in S11 the server device 10 acquires information about the wireless communication device 72 that received the signal from the mobile terminal 80. In S12, the server device 10 identifies the location of the mobile terminal 80 (the employee's location) from the information about the wireless communication device 72. The server device 10 identifies the location of the employee 5 (for example, by triangulation) based on the communication strength between the multiple wireless communication devices 72 and the mobile terminal 80 (the strength of the signal received by the wireless communication device 72 from the mobile terminal 80).

[0061] Each employee 5 has one mobile terminal 80, and the employee 5 (employee ID) can be identified from the information on the mobile terminal 80. In other words, the server device 10 can identify the employee ID and location of the employee 5 based on the information acquired from the wireless communication device 72.

[0062] When employee 5 arrives at work, he or she freely selects a seat, logs in to terminal 30, and starts working using terminal 30. In other words, the location of employee 5 when he or she logs in to terminal 30 is the work location when he or she arrives at work (login time). Server device 10 manages the login information of terminal 30. Server device 10 can identify employee ID of employee 5 from the login information (for example, user ID at the time of login).

[0063] In S13, when employee 5 logs in to terminal 30, server device 10 determines that employee 5 has come to work and determines that the location of employee 5 is the workplace of employee 5. In the above example, when employee 5a with employee ID "Z1" logs in to terminal 30, server device 10 determines that employee 5a has come to work and determines that the location (X3, Y3) is the workplace of employee 5a.

[0064] This allows the server device 10 to know the seat where the employee 5a sat when he or she arrived at work. Hereinafter, the employee 5 who is determined to have arrived at work will be referred to as the "target employee." Also, the package 6 to be delivered will be referred to as the "target package."

[0065] In S14, the server device 10 updates the work location data 91 and ends the attendance determination process. In the above example, the work location data 91 of the employee ID "Z1" as shown in FIG.

[0066] Note that the presence or absence of employee 5 at work and the work location may be identified using either mobile terminal 80 or terminal 30. For example, when identifying using only mobile terminal 80, it may be determined that employee 5 has arrived at work when wireless communication device 72 and mobile terminal 80 are connected for communication, and the location where employee 5 remains stationary near his / her seat for a predetermined period of time or more may be determined to be the work location. When identifying using only terminal 30, it may be determined that employee 5 has arrived at work when terminal 30 logs in, and the work location may be identified by the network to which terminal 30 is connected (for example, when connected to the network of room C, it may be determined that the work location is "room C").

[0067] The processes executed by the delivery robot system 100 are explained below using flowcharts. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the server-side process and the robot-side process. The server-side process is a process executed by the server device 10. The robot process is a process executed by the delivery robot 40.

[0068] The server-side processing may be started, for example, at a predetermined time each day (for example, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, etc.). The robot-side processing may be started when a command to deliver the target package is received.

[0069] The server device 10 can acquire information on whether or not the package 6 of the employee 5 is stored from the delivery locker 110. The server device 10 can determine whether or not the target package is present based on the information acquired from the delivery locker 110 (specifically, package data 92).

[0070] When the server-side processing starts, the server device 10 sets i=1 in S101. In S102, the server device 10 acquires the i-th work location data 91. Among the work location data 91, the first work location data 91 is data for employee ID "Z3."

[0071] In S103, the server device 10 determines whether the employee ID matches and the status is undelivered package data 92. If the employee ID matches and the status is undelivered package data (YES in S103), the server device 10 proceeds to S104. If the employee ID matches and the status is not undelivered package data (NO in S103), the server device 10 proceeds to S106.

[0072] If i=1, there is no package data 92 with employee ID "Z3", so the process proceeds to S106. In S106, the server device 10 increments i by 1. As a result, i=2.

[0073] In S107, the server device 10 determines whether or not all of the work location data 91 has been checked. If all of the work location data 91 has been checked (YES in S107), the server device 10 ends the server-side processing. On the other hand, if all of the work location data 91 has not been checked (NO in S107), the server device 10 returns the processing to S102.

[0074] In the above example, since only the work location data 91 for i=1 (first row) has been checked, the process returns to S102, and the processes of S102 to S106 are repeated for the work location data 91 for i=2 (second row).

[0075] If i=2, there is no package data 92 with employee ID "Z6", so the process proceeds to S106. In S106, the server device 10 increments i by 1. As a result, i=3, and the process returns to S102 to repeat the processes of S102 to S106.

[0076] When i=3, package data 92 with employee ID "Z1" exists, and the status of this data is set to "undelivered." In this way, the server device 10 determines whether or not there is a package that has been delivered to the target employee (employee 5 who is at work). In this case, the process proceeds to S104.

[0077] In S104, the server device 10 sends a command to the delivery robot 40 to deliver the package 6 to the work location. In the above example, a command is sent to the delivery robot 40 to transport the target package (package 6 stored in locker number N1) of the target employee whose employee ID is "Z1" to the work location (X3, Y3) in room C.

[0078] In S105, when the server device 10 receives delivery completion information from the delivery robot 40, it changes the status of the package data 92 to "Delivered." In the above example, when delivery completion information is received from the delivery robot 40, it changes the status of employee ID "Z1" to "Delivered."

[0079] Meanwhile, based on a command from the server device 10, the delivery robot 40 retrieves the target package from the delivery locker 110 and delivers it to the target employee. When the robot-side processing starts, the delivery robot 40 retrieves the target package in S201. In the above example, as described using FIG. 5, the delivery robot 40 retrieves the target package for the target employee with employee ID "Z1" from the locker with locker number "N1."

[0080] In S202, the delivery robot 40 transports the target package to the workplace of the target employee. In the above example, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the delivery robot 40 transports the target package of the target employee with employee ID "Z1" to the workplace (X3, Y3) in room C. In this way, when the delivery robot 40 determines that the target package exists, it delivers the target package to the workplace of the target employee.

[0081] In S203, the delivery robot 40 transmits delivery completion information to the server device 10, and ends the robot-side processing.

[0082] As described above, the delivery robot system 100 includes a delivery robot 40 and a server device 10 as a control device. The delivery robot 40 delivers packages 6 delivered to the facility 1 to employees 5 who are at work at the facility 1. The server device 10 controls the delivery robot 40. The employees 5 can freely select their work location within the facility 1. The server device 10 determines whether the employees 5 are at work and the work location of the target employees who are determined to be at work, based on information from the terminals 30 and mobile terminals 80 used by the employees 5. The server device 10 determines whether a target package has been delivered to the target employee. If it is determined that a target package exists, the delivery robot 40 delivers the target package to the work location of the target employee.

[0083] In this way, the delivery robot 40 grasps the attendance status of the employee 5 and delivers the parcel 6 such as mail, eliminating the need to assign a delivery person to hand over the parcel manually. Also, the employee 5 does not need to go to the parcel locker 110 to check and receive the parcel 6 that has arrived for them on their work day. With the above configuration, parcels that arrive for the employee 5 can be delivered in an optimal manner in a facility 1 that has introduced a telecommuting and free address system.

[0084] Packages 6 delivered to the facility 1 are stored in delivery lockers 110 assigned to each employee 5. The server device 10 can obtain information from the delivery lockers 110 as to whether or not the package 6 for the employee 5 is stored. The server device 10 determines whether or not the target package is present based on the information obtained from the delivery lockers 110. The delivery robot 40 retrieves the target package from the delivery locker 110 and delivers it to the target employee. This makes it possible to automatically determine whether or not the package 6 has arrived for the employee 5, and to deliver the package 6 from the delivery locker 110 to the employee 5 without human intervention.

[0085] A plurality of wireless communication devices 72 are installed in facility 1. The terminals include a mobile terminal 80 as a first terminal and a terminal 30 as a second terminal. The mobile terminal 80 is capable of communicating with the plurality of wireless communication devices 72 and is carried by employee 5. The terminal 30 is used by employee 5 for work. The server device 10 identifies the location of employee 5 based on the communication strength between the plurality of wireless communication devices 72 and the mobile terminal 80. When employee 5 logs in to terminal 30, the server device 10 determines that employee 5 has come to work and determines that employee 5's location is employee 5's work location. This configuration makes it possible to reliably identify the work location at the time of employee 5's coming to work.

[0086] By configuring it as described above, it is possible to automatically identify whether employee 5 has arrived at work and their work location when they arrive, and further automatically determine whether package 6 has arrived for employee 5 who has arrived at work, and automatically transport package 6 to employee 5 without human intervention.

[0087] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples and are not limited to the above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Facility, 5, 5a, 5b Employee, 6 Package, 10 Server device, 11, 21, 41 Processor, 12, 22 ROM, 13, 23 RAM, 14, 24 HDD, 15, 25 Communication IF, 16, 26, 46 Communication bus, 20 Equipment management device, 30 Terminal, 34 Input unit, 35 Display, 40 Delivery robot, 42, 72 Wireless communication device, 44 Memory unit, 45 Camera, 47 Arm, 48 Battery, 49 Drive unit, 61 Ceiling, 80 Mobile terminal, 91 Work location data, 92 Package data, 100 Delivery robot system, 110 Delivery locker, 114 Control unit, 115 Unlocking unit, NW Communication network.

Claims

1. a delivery robot that delivers packages delivered to a facility to employees who come to work at the facility; A control device for controlling the delivery robot, The employee's work location can be freely selected within the facility; The parcels delivered to the facility are stored in delivery lockers assigned to each employee, The control device Based on the information on the terminal used by the employee, determine whether the employee is at work and the work location of the target employee who is determined to be at work; Obtain information from the delivery locker as to whether the employee's package has been stored there; Based on the information acquired from the delivery locker, determine whether or not there is a target package delivered to the target employee; A delivery robot system in which, when it is determined that the target package is present, the delivery robot retrieves the target package from the delivery locker and delivers the target package to the work location of the target employee.

2. A plurality of communication devices are installed in the facility, the terminals include a first terminal that is capable of communicating with the plurality of communication devices and that is carried by the employee, and a second terminal that is used by the employee for work; The control device determining a location of the employee based on the strength of communication signals between the plurality of communication devices and the first terminal; The delivery robot system of claim 1 , wherein when the employee logs in to the second terminal, it is determined that the employee has come to work and that the employee's location is the employee's workplace.

3. A delivery robot that delivers packages delivered to a facility to employees working at the facility; A control device for controlling the delivery robot, The employee's work location can be freely selected within the facility; A plurality of communication devices are installed in the facility, the terminals used by the employees are capable of communicating with the plurality of communication devices and include a first terminal carried by the employees and a second terminal used by the employees for work; The control device determining a location of the employee based on the strength of communication signals between the plurality of communication devices and the first terminal; When the employee logs in to the second terminal, it is determined that the employee has clocked in to work, and the location of the target employee who has been determined to have clocked in to work is the work location of the target employee; determining whether any eligible packages have been delivered to said eligible employees; A delivery robot system, wherein the delivery robot delivers the target package to the work location of the target employee when it is determined that the target package is present.

4. A computer-implemented control method for a delivery robot that delivers packages delivered to a facility to employees working at the facility, comprising: The employee's work location can be freely selected within the facility; The parcels delivered to the facility are stored in delivery lockers assigned to each employee, The control method includes: A step of determining whether the employee is at work and the work location of the target employee who is determined to be at work based on information from the terminal used by the employee; acquiring information from the delivery locker as to whether the employee's package is stored there; A step of determining whether or not there is a target package delivered to the target employee based on the information acquired from the delivery locker; A control method comprising a step of, when it is determined that the target package is present, sending an instruction to the delivery robot to retrieve the target package from the delivery locker and deliver it to the target employee's work location.

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