Delivery Robot Route Mapping Using Customer-Captured Property Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delivery robot operations for the 'last mile' face challenges such as risk of damage to lawns and high costs associated with pre-mapping routes, which can be unnecessary if the customer does not proceed with a purchase.
Innovation Solution
A system where an individual captures a video clip or images of a preferred travel route and provides oral instructions, which are converted into a digital route map for the delivery robot to avoid lawn damage and unnecessary pre-mapping costs by allowing the customer to specify a preferred delivery path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the delivery robot uses sensors to avoid colliding with objects on the lawn, then the robot can navigate autonomously, but the risk of damage to the lawn and objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-mapping of the delivery route before the actual delivery occurs. A mapping robot or system creates a detailed digital map of the property including lawns, obstacles, and safe pathways in advance. This preliminary action allows the delivery robot to follow a pre-planned safe route, reducing the risk of lawn damage during the actual delivery while maintaining autonomous navigation.
2Loss of information
If the pre-mapping procedure is performed by deploying the robot to multiple residences, then route information is obtained, but the cost and time delays increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a separate mapping robot or mapping system that is specifically designed for creating route maps, rather than using the delivery robot for both mapping and delivery. This multi-functionality approach allows the mapping function to be performed by a specialized system, reducing the time and cost burden on the delivery robot and enabling faster deployment for actual deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-mapping procedure is performed in advance and stored as digital route information. This preliminary action eliminates the need to perform mapping operations repeatedly for each delivery, reducing both time and cost. The stored route information can be reused for multiple deliveries to the same location.
3Loss of information
If the pre-mapping procedure is performed by deploying the robot to multiple residences, then route information is obtained, but the costs associated with deploying and operating the robot increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the mapping function from the delivery function, using a specialized mapping system or robot for creating routes. This allows the expensive delivery robot to be used only for deliveries, while the mapping is performed by a lower-cost dedicated system, reducing overall operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying the physical robot for mapping, the system creates digital copies or representations of the routes through pre-mapping procedures. These digital route maps can be stored and reused multiple times without additional deployment costs, significantly reducing the energy and financial resources required for repeated mapping operations.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is generally directed to generating travel route information that is interpretable by a delivery robot for traversing a last mile of a delivery. In an example embodiment, an individual captures a video clip while moving along a travel route that is preferred by the individual for use by the delivery robot. The video clip is converted into a digital route map that the delivery robot uses to reach a package drop-off location on the property. In another example embodiment, an individual captures an image of a portion of the property and appends oral instructions to reach the package drop-off location. The image and the oral instructions are converted into a digital route map for use by the delivery robot. In yet another example embodiment, markers affixed to a surface of a traversable area on the property are used by the delivery robot to reach the package drop-off location.