Flexible compartment design on autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manned delivery systems are expensive and inefficient due to the need for human drivers, and they often struggle to maintain the quality of food or beverage items, especially when delivering multiple items or operating in unstructured environments.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet equipped with modular units that can securely transport various consumer products, using energy storage, communication devices, and navigation systems to optimize delivery routes and conditions, allowing for efficient operation in both structured and unstructured environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated delivery vehicles are used for each restaurant to maintain quality, then service quality is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple restaurants and deliver various types of items (food, beverages, supplements) through interchangeable modular units. This eliminates the need for dedicated vehicles for each restaurant while maintaining service quality through specialized modules equipped with appropriate storage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is segmented into modular units that can be attached and detached from the autonomous vehicle. Each module is designed for specific item types (e.g., refrigerated modules for food, secure modules for supplements), allowing the vehicle to be reconfigured for different delivery needs without requiring separate dedicated vehicles.
2Quantity of substance
If current manned delivery vehicles are used to transport multiple items, then delivery capacity is improved, but item quality maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interior of the autonomous vehicle is divided into multiple independent modular units, each designed for specific item types with appropriate environmental controls. This segmentation allows simultaneous transport of multiple items while maintaining their respective quality requirements through dedicated storage conditions in each module.
Solution Approach 2:
Different modules within the vehicle are equipped with localized environmental conditions tailored to specific item types. For example, refrigerated modules maintain cold temperatures for food items, while secure modules provide controlled environments for supplements, ensuring each item type receives appropriate quality maintenance throughout transit.
3Reliability
If modular units are made securely attachable to prevent theft, then security is improved, but ease of loading/unloading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism features a dynamic design that adapts to different module types and sizes. The system automatically adjusts fastening forces and locking mechanisms based on the detected module characteristics, providing secure attachment for theft prevention while requiring minimal manual intervention for loading and unloading operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles coordinated by a fleet management module. Each vehicle may be configured to receive a modular unit, wherein the modular unit is configured to secure a consumer product.