Modular Autonomous Delivery Bot Assembly for Adaptive Logistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous logistics delivery systems lack adaptability, compatibility with various item sizes, and efficient use of resources, leading to inefficiencies and waste due to oversized vehicles and interoperability issues with location facilities and pathways.

Innovation Solution

A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly comprising a modular mobility base, auxiliary power module, cargo storage system, and mobile autonomy control module, which autonomously performs logistics operations with authentication and navigation, ensuring compatibility and efficient item handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manually controlled delivery vehicles and courier personnel are deployed, then logistics operations can be performed, but operational costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogistics operation efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous logistics vehicle performs delivery operations independently without human intervention. The vehicle autonomously navigates pathways, interfaces with facility systems, handles items, and returns to base stations, enabling self-service logistics operations that eliminate courier personnel requirements and reduce delivery time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control systems with autonomous electronic control systems. The vehicle uses electronic sensors, processors, and actuators to perform navigation, authentication, and item handling tasks that previously required human operators, thereby improving efficiency and reducing operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-size delivery vehicles are used, then vehicle deployment is simplified, but adaptability to various item sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various item sizesVSAvoidwaste due to oversized vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous logistics vehicle is divided into separable components: a base vehicle and detachable cargo modules. This segmentation allows the cargo capacity to be adjusted by attaching or detaching modules based on item size requirements, improving adaptability while minimizing waste from using oversized vehicles for small deliveries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The autonomous vehicle can change its cargo capacity by selecting different module configurations, enabling optimal matching between vehicle size and item size for each delivery task, thereby reducing waste from oversized vehicle deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If autonomous vehicles are deployed, then operational costs are reduced, but interoperability issues with location facilities and pathways arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogistics operation efficiencyVSAvoidinteroperability with location facilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous vehicle is equipped with universal authentication and interface systems that can interact with multiple types of facilities and pathways. The vehicle includes authentication modules that work with various locking mechanisms, sensors that detect different pathway conditions, and communication interfaces that protocol with diverse facility systems, enabling broad interoperability across different delivery locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle incorporates sensor systems and authentication protocols that provide real-time feedback about facility conditions and pathway status. This feedback enables the autonomous vehicle to adapt its navigation and interaction strategies dynamically, resolving interoperability issues by responding to actual environmental conditions rather than relying on pre-programmed fixed sequences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12518582B2Methods of performing a dispatched logistics operation related to an item being shipped and using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

AI summary

Methods of performing a dispatched logistics operation for delivery/pickup of items using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly (with a modular autonomy module, cargo storage system, auxiliary power module, and mobility base) and a dispatch server. The modular autonomy control module receives a dispatch command from the dispatch server and authenticates that each of the modular components in the assembly are compatible with the particular dispatched logistics operation. The bot assembly receives the transported item, autonomously moves from an origin location to a destination per the dispatch command using the mobility base autonomously controlled by the modular autonomy control module, receives authentication input that at least correlates to authentication information in the dispatch comment to allow selective access to the modular cargo storage system of the bot assembly, and then autonomously returns to the origin after the item is detected removed from the cargo storage system.