Mobile Access Lockers for Secure Autonomous Package Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional delivery services face challenges in efficiently delivering packages, especially valuable, secure, or perishable goods, as they often require maintaining fleets of vehicles and drivers, and rely on fixed-location locker hubs that can be costly and inconvenient for recipients.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of autonomous delivery vehicles equipped with locking storage containers that can drive predetermined or dynamic delivery routes, allowing recipients to access their packages at shared delivery locations or directly at their requested locations, using mobile devices for scheduling and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed-location locker hubs are used for secure delivery, then delivery security is improved, but device complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized locker hub system into distributed, autonomous delivery vehicles. Each vehicle functions as an independent secure storage unit with its own locking mechanism and access control, eliminating the need for a large centralized infrastructure while maintaining security through decentralized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the secure storage function from fixed-location locker hubs and relocates it to mobile delivery vehicles. The locking containers are removed from static infrastructure and integrated into autonomous vehicles that can dynamically deliver packages to recipients.
2Reliability
If fixed-location locker hubs are used for secure delivery, then delivery security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to preselected locations and business hours constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-location locker hub system into a dynamic mobile delivery system. The delivery vehicles can move to any location requested by the recipient, operate outside traditional business hours, and adapt their routes in real-time based on recipient availability and delivery priorities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where recipients can autonomously schedule deliveries, select preferred locations, and access their packages using mobile devices. The system allows recipients to initiate and manage their own delivery process without being constrained by predetermined hub locations or operating hours.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional delivery services with fleets of vehicles and drivers are used, then delivery coverage is improved, but loss of time increases due to tracking and verification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking and verification processes with automated electronic systems. GPS tracking, mobile device communication, and automated authentication replace the need for drivers to manually record and verify deliveries, significantly reducing the time required for these operations while maintaining comprehensive delivery coverage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional delivery services are used for valuable goods, then delivery coverage is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to doorstep delivery security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the delivery vehicle and secure storage container into a single integrated system. The locking containers are built into the vehicles themselves, combining transportation and secure storage functions, which eliminates the security risk of leaving packages unattended at delivery locations while maintaining broad delivery coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous delivery vehicle including locking storage containers may be used for item deliveries, rejections, returns, and/or third-party fulfillment. A delivery vehicle or robot may include a number of locking storage containers, an authorization interface, and one or more sensors to receive delivery requests, detect and authorize users, and control locker access at various delivery locations to allow users to receive delivered items, and reject or return items. The vehicle may also include a passenger compartment to transport one or more passengers. The vehicle may be reconfigurable to accommodate different combinations of lockers and/or passenger seats. An item delivery system may receive delivery requests and determine routes for delivery vehicles, including centralized delivery locations and/or direct deliveries to recipients.