Autonomous Delivery Routing for Moving User Locations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous delivery systems are limited by their ability to deliver items only to static locations, which restricts user mobility and flexibility, especially when users are away from their home or office.
Innovation Solution
The system enables autonomous delivery to a dynamic location by using an autonomous vehicle (AV) that can receive and update the current location of a user's wireless device in real-time, allowing the AV to reroute and deliver the item directly to the user, regardless of their location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous delivery is performed to a static location, then the delivery system is simple to operate, but user mobility is restricted and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static delivery locations to dynamic delivery locations. The system continuously updates the delivery location based on the user's current position, allowing the delivery target to move and change during the delivery process. This enables users to receive deliveries at their current location regardless of whether they are at home, work, or elsewhere, significantly improving delivery location flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously tracking the user's location through wireless devices and using this information to update the autonomous vehicle's navigation. The location data flows from the user's device to the delivery system, which then adjusts the delivery route in real-time. This closed-loop feedback system enables dynamic location updates while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delivery location is updated in real-time based on user location, then user flexibility is enhanced, but the complexity of tracking and updating location increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal functionality of wireless devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables) that users already carry. These devices serve multiple purposes: communication, navigation, and location tracking for delivery purposes. By utilizing existing multi-functional devices rather than requiring specialized tracking equipment, the system achieves dynamic location delivery without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically tracking user location through their wireless device without requiring active user participation. The location updates occur autonomously in the background, and the delivery system automatically processes these updates to adjust delivery routes. This eliminates the need for manual location input or complex user interactions, keeping the system simple to operate despite real-time tracking capabilities.
3Productivity
If autonomous vehicles are used for delivery, then delivery cost is reduced, but the ability to handle dynamic locations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances autonomous vehicle adaptability by implementing dynamic route adjustment capabilities. The vehicle's navigation system continuously receives updated delivery location data and automatically recalculates routes in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the autonomous vehicle to handle moving delivery targets effectively, maintaining delivery efficiency while gaining the flexibility to deliver to any location the user is currently at.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback loops where the autonomous vehicle continuously receives location updates from the user's wireless device and adjusts its navigation accordingly. This real-time feedback mechanism enables the vehicle to track and deliver to moving targets without human intervention, combining the cost efficiency of autonomous delivery with the adaptability of dynamic location tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for autonomous delivery to a dynamic location. A user requests delivery of an item. An autonomous vehicle carrying the item navigates to a delivery location associated with the request. While navigating the autonomous vehicle toward the delivery location, the autonomous vehicle receives one or more estimates of a current location of a wireless device of the user. In response to receiving a respective estimate, the autonomous vehicle updates the delivery location to match the respective estimate of the current location of the wireless device. In this way, the delivery location can be dynamically updated as the user changes location. Once the autonomous vehicle reaches the delivery location, the item can be delivered to the user.