Autonomous Delivery Vehicle for Secure Last-Mile Package Dropoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 'last mile' delivery problem in the transportation and logistics industry involves challenges such as package theft, scheduling issues, reliance on unreliable recipients, and the need for recipients to be present for delivery or to collect packages from designated locations.
Innovation Solution
The use of autonomous unmanned road vehicles for delivering packages from regional distribution facilities to local distribution facilities and directly to recipients, with features like navigation systems, perception systems, and communication equipment to manage delivery logistics.
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 delivers packages to a secure location (driveway, garage, or designated spot) rather than requiring direct handoff to the recipient, thereby maintaining fast delivery while preventing theft by leaving packages in a controlled environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service delivery where the autonomous vehicle independently completes the delivery task without human intervention. The vehicle navigates autonomously, identifies the delivery location, and secures the package, eliminating the need for recipient presence while maintaining security through automated controlled delivery.
2Reliability
If delivery scheduling is required with the recipient, then delivery reliability is improved, but convenience deteriorates (scheduling burden)
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle system performs self-service delivery by independently navigating to the recipient's location and delivering the package without requiring scheduled coordination. The vehicle operates on-demand, eliminating the scheduling burden while maintaining reliable delivery through automated navigation and delivery confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for delivery by pre-navigating to the recipient's location and positioning the autonomous vehicle in advance. The vehicle can wait at the designated location ready for delivery, eliminating the need for back-and-forth scheduling while ensuring reliable delivery timing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the recipient must be present for delivery, then package security is improved, but flexibility deteriorates (availability constraints)
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle serves as an intermediary that secures packages at the recipient's premises without requiring the recipient's physical presence. The vehicle delivers to secure locations like driveways or garages, maintaining package security through controlled delivery while providing flexibility for recipients to receive packages at any time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary navigation and positioning of the autonomous vehicle to the recipient's location before delivery. The vehicle waits in position ready to deliver, ensuring security through controlled access while providing flexibility for recipients to collect packages at their convenience.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If designated pickup locations are used, then package security is improved, but convenience deteriorates (travel requirement)
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle acts as an intermediary that brings the package directly to the recipient's home rather than requiring the recipient to travel to a designated pickup location. The vehicle delivers to secure spots at the recipient's premises, maintaining security while eliminating the travel requirement and improving convenience.
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.