Robosafe Parcel Transfer With Autonomous Vehicle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parcel delivery and pickup systems face issues such as parcel loss, theft, damage, and inefficiencies due to the need for human intervention, which increases costs and environmental impact, especially for perishable items that require signature verification or specific handling.
Innovation Solution
The development of a 'robosafe' system, which integrates a robot and a parcel safe with a controllably movable apparatus, allowing for secure, autonomous delivery and pickup directly from a vehicle without human presence, using sensors and movement guides for alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a delivery person is involved in the delivery procedure, then parcel security and signature verification are ensured, but delivery time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel safe enables self-service delivery by allowing the recipient to autonomously retrieve parcels using biometric authentication (fingerprint, facial recognition) or authorized access codes, eliminating the need for a delivery person's physical presence while maintaining security and signature verification capabilities
2Reliability
If a delivery person is involved in the delivery procedure, then parcel security and signature verification are ensured, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive human delivery operations with an automated parcel safe that uses cost-effective electronic authentication mechanisms (biometrics, RFID, mobile app verification) to maintain security while significantly reducing per-delivery operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical human delivery process with an automated electronic system featuring programmable authentication, digital signature capture, and remote monitoring capabilities, reducing dependency on human labor while enhancing traceability and security
3Reliability
If parcels are held requiring multiple delivery attempts, then delivery security is maintained, but time and fuel are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel safe is pre-deployed at the recipient's location before delivery, allowing immediate transfer of parcels upon arrival without requiring multiple return visits, thereby eliminating repeated fuel consumption while maintaining secure delivery through controlled access mechanisms
4Adaptability or versatility
If parcels are exposed to external elements during delivery, then delivery flexibility is improved, but perishable items are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel safe provides pre-established environmental protection through insulated compartments and temperature-controlled zones that shield perishable items from external elements (heat, cold, rain) during the entire delivery process, allowing flexible outdoor deployment without compromising item integrity
Data Source
AI summary
Parcel deploying apparatus including package receiving and/or delivering apparatus defining an enclosure and any or all walls of the enclosure being releasably locked to the package receiving or deploying apparatus by an externally controllable locking mechanism and movable from a closed to an open orientation defining a package receiving flat surface. A robot including a body with controllably movable apparatus for aligning movements, the body including a wall releasably attached to the body for movement between a body closing orientation and a horizontal orientation defining a package receiving flat surface. One of the enclosure and the body including package relocating apparatus which moves a package between a stored and an extended orientation on one of the flat surfaces. The controllably movable apparatus controllable to move the robot into alignment with a delivery position. The package receiving and/or delivering apparatus and the robot can be integrated into a single robosafe.