Autonomous Carrier Intermodal Delivery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional materials delivery systems are expensive, complex, and do not effectively utilize existing transit and parking infrastructures, especially during off-peak hours, leading to high operation and maintenance costs and inefficient delivery processes.
Innovation Solution
A smart delivery system utilizing substantially autonomous carriers that navigate through transit systems like commuter trains and buses, communicating with servers to optimize delivery paths and dock with transit vehicles, leveraging environmental data and sensors for safe navigation, and utilizing storage hubs for efficient storage and recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional delivery systems (trucks, cargo bikes, drones) are used, then delivery can be performed, but operation and maintenance costs are high and existing transit infrastructure is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges delivery operations with existing public transit systems by having autonomous carriers board buses, trains, and other transit vehicles during off-peak hours. This combines two separate functions (delivery and public transportation) into a unified system, utilizing underutilized transit capacity to reduce delivery costs and improve sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous carriers are designed to be universally compatible with multiple types of transit vehicles (buses, trains, trams, ferries). The carriers can board different modes of transit and be discharged at various locations, making the delivery system adaptable to diverse urban transit infrastructures throughout the day and night.
2Productivity
If autonomous delivery vehicles are deployed, then delivery efficiency can be improved, but infrastructure construction costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces standardized autonomous carriers as intermediary units that interface between existing transit infrastructure and final delivery locations. These carriers serve as mediators that can board regular transit vehicles without requiring major infrastructure modifications, thus improving delivery efficiency while avoiding high construction costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic routing where carriers can board different transit vehicles based on real-time conditions, destination requirements, and transit schedules. The delivery path is not fixed but adapts dynamically to available transit options, enhancing efficiency without requiring dedicated infrastructure.
3Loss of energy
If carriers board transit vehicles during off-peak hours, then underutilized capacity is optimized, but delivery time flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by dispatching carriers to board transit vehicles during off-peak hours when transit capacity is underutilized. Carriers are strategically positioned and boarded in advance, allowing deliveries to be staged during low-cost periods while maintaining flexibility for final delivery timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic dispatch patterns where carriers operate on scheduled intervals, boarding transit vehicles during off-peak periods and performing deliveries during peak hours. This periodic operation optimizes transit capacity utilization while ensuring timely delivery completion.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the intermodal delivery of materials within an at least substantially autonomous carrier traveling along a delivery path. The carrier may dock with a transit vehicle or engage directly with a railway to travel along a transit line while making a delivery. The carrier may also be suitable for securably storing materials therein, such as where a plurality of carriers stop at a storage hub located substantially near and/or along the delivery path. The storage hub may include a charging station for the carriers, and serve as a portable warehouse for both materials and carriers. When adequately charged, the carrier may deliver materials to their final destinations. Or, the materials may be transferred to a load transporter to facilitate first- and/or last-mile delivery.