Autonomous Mobile Delivery Robot for Last-Mile Parcel Handoff
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery lockers require recipients to visit the locker to retrieve parcels, and coin-operated lockers necessitate user operation each time, imposing burdens on both recipients and delivery personnel, and occupy excessive installation space as their number increases.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled delivery support apparatus with an autonomous mobility vehicle equipped with a storage box that can travel to the recipient's location, allowing parcels to be received at one location and delivered to another, featuring a lockable storage box accessible only by the recipient, reducing the need for multiple lockers and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If delivery lockers are installed to enable parcel delivery, then delivery automation is improved, but installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static delivery locker into a dynamic mobile robot that can autonomously navigate to different locations. The robot body includes drive wheels and a controller that enables autonomous movement, allowing the same delivery unit to serve multiple locations sequentially rather than requiring fixed installations at every destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot serves multiple functions: it acts as a delivery locker when stationary, a transport vehicle when moving, and can serve multiple recipients by visiting different locations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixed lockers at each destination, reducing overall installation space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If coin-operated lockers are used to move baggage mechanically, then manual handling burden is reduced, but user operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot performs autonomous navigation, autonomous driving to the recipient's location, and self-managed parcel delivery without requiring user operations. The controller automatically controls the drive wheels to move the robot body, and the system independently completes the entire delivery process from receiving the parcel to delivering it to the recipient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coin-operated locking mechanism with an autonomous control system that uses sensors, processors, and automated navigation to perform delivery tasks, eliminating the need for manual coin insertion and mechanical operation.
3Productivity
If recipients visit delivery lockers to receive parcels, then parcel retrieval is enabled, but recipient time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot acts as an intermediary between the delivery person and the recipient. It receives the parcel from the delivery person, autonomously navigates to the recipient's location, and delivers the parcel directly to the recipient, eliminating the need for the recipient to travel to a fixed delivery locker location.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple delivery lockers are installed to serve more recipients, then delivery coverage is improved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot dynamically relocates to serve different recipients at different times and locations, replacing the need for multiple static lockers. The same robot unit can expand its service coverage by autonomously navigating to various destinations throughout the day.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable body is configured to receive a package at a first location and wait for a recipient at a second location that is different from the first location. The movable body includes: a body configured to perform autonomous driving; a storage box attached to the body, the storage box being configured to temporarily store the package; and a controller configured to move the body from the first location to the second location.