Configurable Robot Carrier for Docking, Charging, and Fleet Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery robots face limitations such as limited range, low speed, limited storage, safety concerns, inefficient fleet management, and limited communication with central stations, which hinder their effectiveness in last-mile delivery and on-site services.
Innovation Solution
The Versatile Configurable Robot/Vehicle Carrier, or 'Robotruck', is an AI-powered vehicle equipped with Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) and Connected Vehicle technologies, enabling wireless charging, autonomous navigation, and advanced fleet management. It serves as a configurable hosting hub for robots, drones, and sub-vehicles, providing a centralized docking, charging, and dispatching system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If delivery robots operate independently with limited battery capacity, then they can navigate autonomously, but their operating range and speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing smaller delivery robots inside the cargo area of a larger carrier vehicle. The robots can dock with the carrier vehicle and access its battery system, effectively nesting the robot system within the vehicle system to extend operational range without requiring each robot to have independent large battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier vehicle serves as an intermediary between the central control station and the delivery robots. It provides charging infrastructure, communication relay, and support services to multiple robots, enabling them to operate beyond their individual battery limitations while maintaining centralized coordination.
2Reliability
If multiple local satellite stations and charge facilities are built to support robots, then robot operation range is extended, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines transportation, charging, communication relay, and robot support functions. Instead of requiring separate infrastructure for each function, the vehicle integrates multiple capabilities into a single mobile unit that can service multiple robots across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from static satellite stations to a dynamic mobile carrier vehicle that can move to where robots are needed. This dynamic approach allows the same vehicle to support robots in multiple locations without requiring permanent infrastructure at each site, reducing overall infrastructure complexity.
3Ease of operation
If traditional vehicles are used to transport robots, then robots can be moved to different locations, but robots cannot be charged on the vehicle and require manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier vehicle is equipped with wireless charging capability that automatically charges robots when they dock with the vehicle. The robots autonomously navigate to charging ports and begin charging without manual intervention, with the vehicle's battery system automatically providing power through wireless induction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the transportation function and charging function into a single integrated system. The carrier vehicle simultaneously serves as both the transport platform and the charging station, eliminating the need for separate charging infrastructure and manual charging operations.
4Productivity
If robots operate without integrated communication systems, then they can function autonomously, but fleet management and coordination with central stations become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier vehicle acts as a communication intermediary between the central control station and multiple delivery robots. It provides a centralized communication hub that coordinates robot tasks, relays data, and manages fleet operations, improving coordination efficiency without requiring complex direct communication systems in each robot.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The Robotruck addresses the limitations of existing delivery robots by enhancing their range, speed, and safety, while improving fleet management and communication. It enables efficient last-mile delivery and on-site services, reducing operational costs and increasing delivery accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The Carrier is an AI powered intelligent docking station that can guild, command or communicate the robots or sub-vehicles to move on and off the Carrier by themselves for automated or autonomous delivery, charging, dispatching, reloading, or other applications. The Carrier's advanced energy storage system is safe, durable, and big enough to supply battery power for both the carrier itself and Robots/Sub-Vehicles on-board charging
Data Source
AI summary
The invention, Versatile Configurable Robot/Vehicle Carrier, also known as “Robotruck™”, is a versatile AI-powered Electric or Hybrid Carrier Vehicle designed for autonomous robots, drones, sub-vehicles, forklifts, and other mobility equipment. Functioning similarly to an aircraft carrier, this hosting vehicle integrates advanced battery technology, Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) and Connected Vehicle technologies to facilitate the transport, docking, on-board charging (wireless or cabled), reloading, guiding, managing, commanding and communication to various robots and autonomous sub-vehicles. It supports applications such as last-mile delivery, local dispatch, on-site robot services, and patrols. The Carrier, Robotruck™, features a configurable vehicle platform with an innovative body structure suitable for off-road and on-road use, a modular E-Powertrain skateboard, and advanced AI-driven control functions with telematics, IoT connectivity, In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) System, and GPS tracking, offering customizable modules for different carrying functions, sizes, driving ranges, and power capacities.