Autonomous Vehicle Repositioning for Demand-Based Fleet Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle rental businesses are often located far from potential customers, making it inconvenient for users to access and rent vehicles, and resulting in vehicles being left in locations that do not align with demand.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for repositioning autonomous vehicles by establishing network connections with vehicles, determining demand in specific geographical regions, and communicating movement instructions to vehicles to adjust their locations and align with demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicles are initially positioned close to prospective renters, then accessibility is improved, but vehicles are likely to be left in locations that do not align with future demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central system continuously monitors vehicle locations, rental demand patterns, and utilization metrics. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts vehicle deployment by sending navigation commands to autonomous vehicles to relocate to high-demand areas, thereby maintaining both customer accessibility and rental utilization efficiency through real-time adaptive management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic vehicle deployment system where vehicle locations are not fixed but continuously adjusted based on real-time demand data. The autonomous vehicles can dynamically relocate themselves in response to changing rental patterns, ensuring that vehicles remain positioned where they are most needed, thus maintaining both accessibility and productivity.
2Productivity
If manual vehicle relocation is implemented, then vehicle positioning can be adjusted to match demand, but operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical relocation operations with autonomous electronic navigation systems. Vehicles are equipped with GPS, autonomous driving capabilities, and communication systems that enable them to self-relocate to optimal positions based on digital demand data, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing operational complexity despite improved positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of vehicle relocation from manual control to automated electronic control. By implementing autonomous navigation parameters including route planning, obstacle detection, and self-parking capabilities, the system achieves accurate vehicle positioning while reducing the complexity of human-operated relocation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for repositioning autonomous vehicles are disclosed. The systems and methods facilitate moving vehicles of a fleet of vehicles into more advantageous locations. For example, autonomous vehicles can be moved from positions where a vehicle would be difficult to access by a user and/or be less likely to be used by a user to positions that provide easier access by a user and/or make the vehicle more likely to be used.