Autonomous Launch Vehicle with Inflatable Delivery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delivery systems face inefficiencies and high costs in transporting deliverable items, particularly in the last mile, due to reliance on human-operated vehicles and lack of automation in navigating complex environments.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous delivery system comprising an autonomous launch vehicle and autonomous delivery vehicles, equipped with communication, positioning, and sensor systems, which use encoded datasources and inflatable packaging for efficient navigation and delivery, leveraging a launch system with rails and inflation technology to optimize routes and reduce delivery time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human-operated vehicles are used for delivery, then flexibility and adaptability in complex environments are maintained, but delivery time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous delivery vehicle performs delivery operations independently without human intervention. The vehicle navigates complex environments using onboard sensors, processors, and communication systems that enable it to detect obstacles, determine optimal paths, and complete deliveries autonomously, thereby reducing delivery time while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system operated by humans with an autonomous control system comprising processors, sensors, and communication interfaces. This substitution enables the vehicle to process environmental data and make navigation decisions automatically, eliminating human response time delays while maintaining the ability to adapt to complex delivery environments
2Measurement precision
If autonomous delivery vehicles are deployed individually, then delivery precision is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into modular autonomous vehicles, each equipped with independent navigation and delivery capabilities. Each vehicle operates as a self-contained unit with its own sensors, processors, and delivery mechanisms, allowing precise individual deliveries while simplifying the overall system architecture through standardization and modularity
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous delivery vehicles are designed as universal platforms capable of performing multiple functions: navigation, obstacle detection, path planning, and precise delivery. This multi-functionality is achieved through integrated sensor systems, communication interfaces, and programmable processors that can adapt to various delivery scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional delivery methods are used, then infrastructure requirements are minimal, but operational costs and congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous delivery vehicle incorporates feedback mechanisms through its communication system that continuously receives data from sensors and encoded datasources about the environment and delivery target. This feedback enables real-time path optimization, obstacle avoidance, and precise positioning, improving delivery efficiency while using existing infrastructure through software-based navigation and control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves significant cost savings and efficiency improvements by automating the delivery process, optimizing routes, and ensuring precise navigation to specific target locations, enhancing the reliability and speed of package delivery and other item transport.
Implementation Method 1
an inflation system configured to pump one or more gases into an inflatable device associated with each portion of packaging material
Data Source
AI summary
A launch vehicle can include a mobility system, a launch system, and a computing system. The mobility system can be configured to travel to a general target location. The launch system can be configured to house a plurality of autonomous delivery vehicles assigned for transporting one or more deliverable items from the general target location to respective specific target delivery locations. The computing system can be configured to control launch of the plurality of autonomous delivery vehicles from the launch vehicle at a respective plurality of predetermined launch positions, each predetermined launch position associated with a corresponding launch time, and each autonomous delivery vehicle configured to travel from a launch position of the respective plurality of predetermined launch positions to a specific target delivery location of the respective specific target delivery locations and from the specific target delivery location to one or more predetermined landing positions.