Automated Mobile Vehicle Routing With Pre-Authorized Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The final mile delivery of physical items to user-specified locations is inefficient, relying on human-operated vehicles which can be slow and labor-intensive, lacking automation and efficient routing systems.
Innovation Solution
A distributed automated mobile vehicle (AMV) system that uses autonomous aerial or ground vehicles, each associated with a user, to autonomously retrieve and deliver items from materials handling facilities to designated locations, with integrated navigation, inventory engagement mechanisms, and communication systems for efficient routing and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If human-operated vehicles are used for final mile delivery, then delivery can be completed with simple vehicle operation, but delivery speed and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including GPS receivers, inertial measurement units, and onboard processors that enable the vehicle to navigate to delivery locations and return to facilities without human intervention. The vehicle independently determines its position, plans routes, and executes delivery tasks, eliminating the need for human drivers while achieving fast delivery speeds.
2Productivity
If human drivers operate delivery vehicles, then routing decisions can be made in real-time, but labor costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human drivers with an automated control system comprising processors, memory, GPS receivers, and communication interfaces. This system automatically receives item information, determines optimal routes, navigates the vehicle, and manages delivery operations without human intervention, thereby improving productivity while the complexity is managed through integrated software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile vehicle incorporates feedback mechanisms including GPS positioning, inertial measurement units, and communication interfaces that continuously monitor vehicle status, location, and environmental conditions. This feedback enables the onboard processors to dynamically adjust routing decisions, optimize delivery paths, and maintain efficient operations in real-time without human input.
3Loss of time
If automated mobile vehicles are deployed, then delivery times are reduced and labor costs decrease, but vehicle authorization and characteristic verification systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pre-authorization system where mobile vehicles are registered and verified before deployment. The facility management system stores characteristic information of authorized vehicles including identification data, capability specifications, and operational parameters. This preliminary verification ensures only qualified vehicles operate in the system, enabling fast delivery times while managing complexity through centralized pre-validation.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a distributed automated mobile vehicle (“automated mobile vehicle”) system for autonomously delivering orders of items to various delivery locations and/or autonomously returning items to a return location. In some implementations, each user may own or be assigned their own automated mobile vehicle that is associated with the user and an automated mobile vehicle control system maintained by the user. When the user orders an item, the user owned or controlled automated mobile vehicle navigates to a materials handling facility, retrieves the ordered item and delivers it to the user.