Autonomous Ground Vehicle Access-Code Relay for Secure Deliveries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Customers often face issues with product delivery as packages are stolen or damaged when left at unattended home addresses, and delivery services struggle to access restricted areas without access codes.
Innovation Solution
The system employs autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) and computing devices to deliver products to customer-specified restricted areas by obtaining and relaying access codes to open entryways, allowing AGVs to access and drop off packages securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If delivery services leave packages at unattended home addresses, then delivery speed and convenience are improved, but packages are vulnerable to theft and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies restricted delivery areas and their access codes before delivery attempts. The autonomous vehicle receives and stores access information in advance, enabling it to autonomously access secured locations without real-time human intervention, thus ensuring both speed and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an access code relay system where the autonomous vehicle acts as an intermediary between the delivery service and the restricted area. The vehicle receives access codes from a remote system and relays them to the entryway control system, enabling secure access without physical keys or manual code entry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If delivery services access restricted areas with gates or doors, then secure delivery locations are accessible, but access codes are required which delivery services do not have
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between delivery services and restricted areas. It receives access codes through a wireless network from a remote system and relays them to the entryway control system, eliminating the need for physical key exchanges or complex manual authentication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical access methods (physical keys, manual code entry) with an electronic wireless communication system. The access code is transmitted electronically to the autonomous vehicle and then relayed to the entryway control system, substituting physical interaction with digital communication.
3Reliability
If autonomous ground vehicles relay access codes to open entryways, then secure restricted area access is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-service by autonomously receiving, storing, and relaying access codes without human intervention. The vehicle independently navigates to the delivery location, authenticates itself, relays the access code, and completes the delivery, reducing the need for complex human-operated access systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines delivery capabilities with access code relay functionality. This universal design allows a single system to handle both transportation and authentication tasks, rather than requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for facilitating delivery, via autonomous ground vehicles, of products ordered by customers of a retailer to customer-specified restricted areas accessible by an entryway openable via an access code.