Autonomous Delivery Vehicle for Secure Last-Mile Package Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 'last mile' delivery challenge in the transportation and logistics industry involves issues such as package theft, inconvenient delivery times, reliance on unreliable recipients or concierges, and the need for recipients to collect packages from specific locations, which existing delivery methods fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The use of autonomous unmanned road vehicles for transporting packages from regional distribution facilities to local facilities and directly to recipients, with notification and access code systems for secure delivery, allowing for on-demand delivery within a defined radius and efficient route management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If packages are left on the doorstep for delivery, then delivery speed is improved, but package security deteriorates (theft risk)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an autonomous unmanned vehicle as an intermediary between the distribution facility and the recipient's home. The vehicle transports packages to a waiting area near the destination and holds them securely until the recipient retrieves them, eliminating both the security risk of leaving packages on doorsteps and the time delay of scheduled deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables recipients to self-service their deliveries by notifying them when packages arrive at the waiting area and allowing them to retrieve packages at their convenience using access codes or biometric authentication, eliminating the need for scheduled delivery coordination while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If scheduled delivery times are coordinated with recipients, then delivery reliability is improved, but time efficiency deteriorates (coordination overhead)
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by notifying recipients via text message or email when their packages have arrived at the waiting area. This allows recipients to know immediately when packages are ready for pickup without requiring advance scheduling, maintaining high delivery reliability while eliminating coordination overhead.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If packages are delivered to designated locations like lockers, then package security is improved, but convenience deteriorates (recipient must travel to pickup location)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized waiting area with secure package holding capabilities positioned near the recipient's destination. This local secure holding point eliminates the need for recipients to travel to distant locker locations while maintaining package security through controlled access mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous unmanned vehicles are deployed for delivery, then delivery flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components: autonomous vehicles for transport, waiting areas for secure holding, and notification systems for recipient communication. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and managed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high delivery flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous unmanned road vehicle and how it can be used to make deliveries. The unmanned vehicle is capable of operating autonomously on paved roadways. The vehicle has a control system for autonomous driving and a perception system for detecting objects in its surroundings. The vehicle also has one or more cargo compartments for carrying the delivery items. The vehicle may have a flashing light beacon to increase the conspicuousness of the vehicle. In consideration that the vehicle does not carry passengers, the size and/or motor power of the vehicle may be reduced as compared to conventional passenger vehicles.