Autonomous Vehicle Delivery Assembly for Safe Private Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contactless delivery robots face challenges such as high costs, limited versatility in handling different items, and safety and privacy concerns, which hinder their widespread adoption for autonomous delivery.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous delivery system integrated with autonomous vehicles (AVs) that includes a delivery assembly with a container, user interface module, and delivery controller, utilizing AVs' navigation and sensor capabilities to ensure safe and private delivery by controlling access to the delivery assembly and managing item handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If contactless delivery robots are deployed, then delivery automation is achieved, but cost increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a delivery assembly into an existing autonomous vehicle platform that can serve multiple purposes. The vehicle can function as both a delivery vehicle and a ride-sharing vehicle, allowing the same platform to handle different items and services, thereby improving versatility without requiring separate specialized robots for each delivery type
2Extent of automation
If contactless delivery robots are deployed, then delivery automation is achieved, but safety and privacy risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delivery assembly as an intermediary component between the autonomous vehicle and the user. This assembly includes a container with controlled access mechanisms and a user interface that mediates the interaction, allowing contactless delivery while maintaining safety and privacy through controlled access points and buffered communication channels
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized delivery robots are designed for particular item types, then delivery precision is improved, but adaptability to different items decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a container with dynamically adjustable characteristics including movable walls, adjustable dividers, and reconfigurable internal structures. These dynamic elements allow the container to be reconfigured for different item types, sizes, and shapes, maintaining delivery precision across various items while improving adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
An AV receives a delivery request made by a user. The AV navigates to the user's location. The AV's onboard controller determines that the AV has arrived at the location. The onboard controller then commands the AV's motor to pause motion. The onboard controller provides the user an access to a delivery assembly in the AV. The onboard controller or the delivery assembly detects, by using sensors in the delivery assembly, whether an item has been removed from or placed into the container. Subsequent to detecting that the item has been removed from or placed into the container, the onboard controller commands the AV's motor to resume motion. The onboard controller or delivery assembly may also control a movable element in the container to allow the user to load or unload the item from a safe spot or control a divider in the container to protect the user's privacy.