Autonomous Package Routing for Vehicle Loading Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for loading and unloading packages from autonomous vehicles are cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when multiple vehicles are waiting for packages at a physical location or after an online order.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that optimizes the routing and delivery of packages into autonomous vehicles by receiving shipment requests, package statuses, automated delivery unit statuses, and vehicle statuses, and determining an optimal routing path for efficient package delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading and unloading methods are used for packages in autonomous vehicles, then human interaction is required which increases time consumption and operational complexity, but the system structure remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous vehicles to automatically receive and load packages without human intervention. The notification system alerts vehicles when packages are ready, and the vehicles autonomously navigate to retrieval locations and load packages, making the entire process self-service oriented and eliminating manual handling requirements
Solution Approach 2:
An automated notification and coordination system acts as an intermediary between the package storage facility and autonomous vehicles. This intermediary manages the communication and scheduling, coordinating vehicle arrivals with package readiness without requiring direct human intervention in the loading process
2Loss of time
If multiple autonomous vehicles wait for packages at a physical location, then the waiting time and operational delays increase, but the routing coordination remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying autonomous vehicles in advance when packages are prepared and ready for retrieval. This advance notification allows vehicles to plan their arrivals optimally, preventing unnecessary waiting times by ensuring vehicles arrive only when packages are actually ready
Solution Approach 2:
The routing coordination system dynamically adjusts vehicle schedules and routing based on real-time package readiness status and vehicle availability. This dynamic coordination optimizes the timing and sequencing of multiple vehicles, minimizing waiting times while managing complex multi-vehicle interactions
Data Source
AI summary
An approach for routing one or more packages and delivering the one or more packages to one or more autonomous vehicles is disclosed. The approach receives shipment request from the one or more vendors, receives package status (e.g., status that the one or more packages is ready to be routed, dimension and weight of the one or more packages) of the one or more packages from the one or more vendors, receives vehicle status (e.g., size and available storage space in the vehicles, location and transit time of the vehicles) from the one or more autonomous vehicles. The approach receives the status of the delivery units (e.g., available automated delivery unit, current path and time of completion). The approach determines an optimal routing path for the one or more packages based on the shipment request, package status and vehicle status and outputs the optimal routing path.