Mobile Package Service Scheduling to Cut User Travel Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package delivery and return services require users to physically transport packages to and from facilities, which is inefficient, time-consuming, and often involves unsafe or unsightly locations, discouraging users from utilizing these services.
Innovation Solution
A server apparatus and vehicle system that allows users to select package pickup and return locations and times via an information terminal, arranging a vehicle to minimize user movement and provide services such as laundry or package handling within the vehicle, eliminating the need for facility visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a home-delivery locker or facility is installed to store packages, then package storage and delivery service is provided, but the user needs to spend time and effort to carry packages to the facility, and also needs time to move to and wait in the facility
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile vehicle acts as an intermediary between the user and the package storage system. The vehicle travels to the user's location to receive and return packages, eliminating the need for users to visit fixed facilities. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing reliable package storage service while eliminating user travel and waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static facility-based storage model to a dynamic mobile vehicle-based model. The vehicle can move to different locations and adjust its schedule based on user needs, providing flexible package storage service without requiring users to travel to fixed points, thus reducing user time loss while maintaining service reliability.
2Reliability
If a facility is installed to provide package handling service, then package storage and processing is enabled, but the facility is often not very safe or elegant, which discourages users from using the services
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle serves as a safe and elegant intermediary for package handling, replacing unsightly fixed facilities. The vehicle provides a controlled, secure environment for package processing while maintaining aesthetic appeal, thus improving user perception and safety without compromising service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the static mechanical facility structure with a mobile vehicle platform. This substitution allows the service to be delivered in a more flexible, aesthetically pleasing, and potentially safer manner, as vehicles can be designed with better security features and appearance compared to conventional storage facilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If the user carries packages to a package pickup site, then package deposit is completed, but the movement of the user increases and the service efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the user actively bringing packages to a pickup site, the system inverts the approach by having the mobile vehicle come to the user's location. This inversion eliminates user movement entirely, making package deposit as convenient as staying at home while dramatically improving service efficiency by eliminating travel time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile vehicle autonomously performs the service delivery by traveling to the user's location and handling package deposit/return operations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to actively transport packages to facilities, improving both ease of operation and overall service productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A server apparatus, a vehicle, a service provision system, and a non-transitory storage medium storing a program are disclosed. The server apparatus includes circuitry configured to transmit, to an information terminal of a user, information regarding a service available to the user, receive, from the information terminal, information regarding the service, selected by the user, receive, from the information terminal, package information regarding a package of the user, first location information indicating a location to receive the package from the user, first time information indicating a time to receive the package from the user, second location information indicating a location to return the package, and second time information indicating a time to return the package, and arrange a specified vehicle based on the package information, the first location information, and the first time information.