Delivery drop points for autonomous delivery vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery systems, such as those used by the USPS, often require multiple stops at individual addresses, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of secure storage solutions for delivered items until retrieval by the owner.
Innovation Solution
Autonomous delivery vehicles equipped with sensors and infrastructure at designated drop points that allow for secure storage and communication, enabling efficient delivery and retrieval of items without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current delivery systems make multiple stops at individual addresses, then delivery coverage is improved, but delivery efficiency and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple delivery stops into a single consolidated delivery location (autonomous delivery drop point). Instead of visiting individual addresses separately, the system merges delivery operations at one secure location that can store multiple items for different recipients, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining delivery coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous delivery drop point acts as an intermediary between the delivery vehicle and the final recipient. The drop point receives items from the autonomous vehicle and holds them until recipients can retrieve them, eliminating the need for the vehicle to make multiple stops while ensuring items reach the correct recipients.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current delivery systems make multiple stops at individual addresses, then item distribution is improved, but time consumption and operational duration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary delivery action by depositing items at the autonomous drop point in advance. Recipients can then retrieve their items at convenient times without requiring the delivery vehicle to be present, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining distribution capability.
3Reliability
If secure storage solutions are implemented at delivery locations, then item security is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous delivery drop point is designed to operate autonomously with self-managing features including automatic item acceptance from the delivery vehicle, secure storage, and recipient notification systems. This self-service capability provides security without requiring complex manual intervention or monitoring infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomous delivery drop points for delivery of an item are provided. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a proxy sensor to communicate information related to the autonomous delivery drop point to an autonomous delivery vehicle. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a delivery inlet configured to accept the item. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a storage receptacle configured to store the item until the item is retrieved by the owner of the item. The autonomous delivery drop points can include an attachment member coupled to the item. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a hook configured to couple to the attachment member to accept the item, wherein the hook comprises the proxy sensor.