Mobile Automated Storage Vehicle for On-Demand E-Commerce Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing e-commerce operational systems face high costs and inefficiencies in last mile delivery due to fixed warehouse environments and static fulfillment centers, leading to delayed and costly order fulfillment.
Innovation Solution
A mobile automated storage and retrieval system comprising vehicles with onboard inventory, robotic conveyor mechanisms, and communication subsystems that enable autonomous order fulfillment and delivery within a specified range, combining storage and retrieval operations to streamline the delivery process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fixed fulfillment centers and warehouses are used for e-commerce operations, then inventory storage capacity is improved, but delivery speed and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static fulfillment centers into dynamic mobile robots that can move autonomously through the warehouse and directly to customer locations. The mobile robot system enables inventory to be transported dynamically rather than requiring fixed infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and delivery speed by making the entire fulfillment system mobile and responsive.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fulfillment function from fixed warehouses and relocates it to autonomous mobile robots. By taking out the inventory retrieval and delivery operations from static facilities and placing them in mobile units, the system achieves both adequate storage capacity and rapid delivery speed simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If fixed fulfillment centers are used, then inventory management is simplified, but last mile delivery costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robots are equipped with autonomous navigation, inventory management, and customer interaction capabilities. They can independently locate themselves, retrieve inventory, navigate to destinations, and complete deliveries without human intervention, thereby reducing delivery time while maintaining manageable complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot system performs multiple functions including inventory storage, retrieval, navigation, and delivery within a single integrated platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixed facilities and delivery vehicles, reducing both time and complexity.
3Loss of energy
If traditional warehouse operations are used, then operational costs are controlled, but delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical warehouse operations with autonomous mobile robots that use automated navigation and robotic manipulation systems. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive human labor and fixed infrastructure, reducing operational costs while significantly improving delivery efficiency through automated, on-demand fulfillment.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated fulfillment unit for a mobile storage and retrieval system, configured for dispensing products on the move for on-demand electronic commerce to enable increased operational capacity and speed of delivery to customer orders. The mobile automated fulfillment unit includes a vehicle having a storage for storing products and having a compartment separate from the storage, a robotic conveyor mechanism configured to move products from the storage to compartment, and a communication subsystem configured for at least mobile communication and for receiving customer orders.