AGV Pickup Control Across Multiple E-Commerce Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems using unmanned vehicles (UVs) do not adequately meet diverse user needs, such as efficient product pickup and delivery options, particularly in e-commerce transactions.
Innovation Solution
A transport system incorporating management servers, AGVs, and user terminals that allow for product pickup instructions and seamless transfer of control between servers for handling multiple e-commerce transactions, enabling diverse user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single management server controls the AGV for all e-commerce transactions, then the control system is simple, but it cannot handle multiple e-commerce platforms simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the management server functionality by introducing multiple management servers, each responsible for specific e-commerce platforms. The AGV controller interacts with multiple separate server instances rather than one monolithic server, allowing each server to be optimized for its specific platform while the AGV maintains a unified interface for receiving tasks from any platform.
2Productivity
If the AGV returns to the user home after each pickup task, then the user can receive products conveniently, but the delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the AGV's return behavior based on task characteristics and user preferences. For high-priority or time-sensitive deliveries, the AGV returns to the user home immediately. For less urgent tasks, the AGV may proceed to a nearest location or consolidate multiple deliveries before returning, optimizing the balance between efficiency and convenience based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides different delivery behaviors for different users or different product types. Some users may prefer immediate return to home for all deliveries, while others may accept nearest location delivery for certain product categories. The AGV controller adapts its behavior locally based on user profiles and product characteristics.
3Loss of time
If the AGV goes to the nearest location for product pickup, then the pickup time is reduced, but the user convenience may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines whether the AGV should go to the nearest location or return to user home based on real-time factors such as user availability, product type, delivery priority, and user preferences. The decision is not fixed but adapts to current conditions, allowing optimization of pickup time while maintaining user convenience when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transport system that can meet diverse user needs. The transport system is provided with one or more management servers, an AGV having an accommodation part with which to accommodate, at a nearest location, a product purchased in an e-commerce transaction, and a user terminal that instructs the management server or the AGV to transport the product, wherein the user terminal is provided with an instruction interface for issuing an instruction to pick up the product using the AGV as a pickup method in a case in which the product is purchased in an e-commerce transaction with the management server, and the AGV is controlled, based on control by the management server according to the instruction issued through the instruction interface, to execute pickup of the product.