Autonomous Ground Delivery to Restricted Areas Using Access Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customers often face issues with product delivery as packages are stolen or damaged when left at home addresses unattended, 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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If products are delivered to home addresses when customers are not home, then delivery convenience is improved, but product security deteriorates (theft and damage occur)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery convenienceVSAvoidproduct security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an autonomous ground vehicle as an intermediary between the delivery service and the customer's restricted area. The AGV receives the product, transports it autonomously to the designated location, and places it in the restricted area, thereby eliminating the need for human delivery personnel to physically access the customer's property and resolving the security concern while maintaining delivery convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If delivery services attempt to access restricted areas with gates/doors, then product security is improved (secure drop-off), but access capability deteriorates (delivery services lack access codes)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure drop-offVSAvoidaccess capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous ground vehicle is equipped with capabilities to independently access restricted areas by obtaining and using access codes. The AGV can communicate with access control systems, receive authentication credentials, and autonomously open gates or doors without human intervention, thereby enabling secure drop-off while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system obtains access codes and authentication credentials before the delivery attempt. The AGV is pre-equipped with the necessary access information, allowing it to successfully access restricted areas when it arrives, thereby ensuring both security and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If autonomous ground vehicles are used for delivery, then delivery efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases (access code relay system)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidaccess code relay system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous ground vehicle serves multiple functions: it transports products, navigates to destinations, communicates with access control systems, and autonomously places products in restricted areas. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system manages complexity while maintaining high delivery efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11756144B2Systems and methods for delivering products via autonomous ground vehicles to restricted areas designated by customers

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 WALMART APOLLO LLC

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.