Mobile Retail Units for Dynamic Underutilized Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many brick-and-mortar retailers face closure due to the rise of online retail, leading to underutilized retail spaces such as parking lots and premises, which need to be effectively repurposed.
Innovation Solution
The system involves a controller that identifies underused properties by analyzing data on area vacancy, accessibility, and usability, and then deploys mobile units to set up temporary mobile structures, thereby increasing the utilization of these spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If brick-and-mortar retailers close due to online retail growth, then retail space utilization decreases, but property vacancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic retail spaces using mobile units that can be moved between different locations. The system continuously monitors vacancy information and dynamically repositions mobile retail structures to underutilized areas, transforming static vacant properties into dynamically utilized spaces based on real-time demand and vacancy conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile units are designed to serve multiple functions and can be deployed across different property types including parking lots, premises, and other underutilized spaces. The system enables a single mobile retail unit to adapt to various locations and retail needs, maximizing the utility of vacant properties through multi-functional deployment.
2Loss of energy
If traditional retail spaces are closed, then operational costs decrease, but available retail space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables landlords to self-identify and monetize their underutilized properties through automated vacancy detection and matching with mobile retail units. The controller automatically analyzes vacancy information and connects vacant spaces with appropriate mobile units, allowing property owners to generate revenue from previously unused spaces without active management intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of retail spaces by transitioning from fixed, long-term leases to flexible, short-term mobile deployments. This parameter change allows rapid adaptation to market conditions, enabling retail spaces to be quickly activated in vacant areas while maintaining cost efficiency through on-demand deployment and removal of mobile units.
3Productivity
If mobile units are deployed to underutilized properties, then property utilization increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where the controller monitors vacancy information, accessibility, and usability parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables automated decision-making for deploying and repositioning mobile units, reducing the perceived complexity by allowing the system to self-regulate and optimize property utilization without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that simplifies the interaction between mobile units and underutilized properties. It processes vacancy information, determines suitability based on accessibility and usability criteria, and coordinates deployments, thereby managing system complexity centrally rather than requiring complex point-to-point coordination between multiple mobile units and properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If temporary mobile structures are installed, then retail space flexibility increases, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and evaluation of suitable underutilized properties before deploying mobile units. The controller pre-analyzes vacancy information, accessibility, and usability parameters to identify ready-to-deploy locations, reducing on-site decision time and accelerating the overall deployment process while maintaining flexibility in selecting appropriate properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs temporary, movable retail structures that can be quickly deployed and removed compared to permanent installations. These mobile units are designed for rapid deployment with minimal installation requirements, accepting that they are temporary solutions in exchange for significantly reduced installation time and increased flexibility in retail space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system includes a controller. The controller is configured to perform operations including obtaining data about an area related to a user, determining vacancy information about the area based on the data, determining at least one of an accessibility and a usability of the area, determining that the area is available for occupancy by one or more mobile units based on the vacancy information and at least one of the accessibility and the usability of the area, and updating a map including the area with an indication that the area is available for occupancy by one or more mobile units.