Robotic Parcel Storage and Loading for Last-Mile Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery systems, including those using autonomous vehicles, still require substantial human labor and are inefficient in terms of resource usage and fail safety, particularly in the last mile delivery process.
Innovation Solution
A storage system comprising a delivery robot level, multiple storage levels, and a loading robot that can grip and move items from storage levels to the delivery robot, optimizing the loading process and reducing human intervention through automated handling and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading is used to load delivery vehicles, then human labor flexibility is maintained, but productivity and resource efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system performs self-service by automatically moving items to the loading position and enabling the loading robot to load delivery robots without human intervention. The system serves itself through automated item retrieval and transfer mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical loading operations are replaced by an automated loading robot that uses mechanical arms or grippers to retrieve items from storage levels and load them onto delivery robots. This substitution transforms human labor into an automated mechanical system, improving productivity while reducing human involvement.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple storage levels are used to increase storage capacity, then item storage capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system transitions from a single-level horizontal arrangement to a multi-level vertical structure. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system increases storage capacity without significantly increasing the footprint area. Items are arranged across multiple elevated levels, allowing efficient use of space while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into multiple independent levels, each capable of storing different item types or batches. This segmentation allows for organized item placement and facilitates the loading robot's ability to access specific items on different levels without requiring complete system reconfiguration, thereby managing complexity through modularity.
3Extent of automation
If automated loading robots are deployed to reduce human labor, then extent of automation is improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loading robot is designed with universal capabilities to handle multiple item types and serve multiple delivery robots from various storage levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each task, thereby managing overall system complexity while achieving high automation. The same loading robot can adapt to different loading scenarios through programmable control.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system (100) is adapted to store a plurality of items and to load a delivery robot (2) with an item. The storage system (100) includes a delivery robot level (110), at least one storage level (112, 114, 116, 118) for storing the items, and a loading robot (130) adapted to grip the items and to load the items from a storage level (112, 114, 116, 118) to a delivery robot (2) located on the delivery robot level (110). The storage system (100) is adapted to move the items within a storage level (112, 114, 116, 118). The storage system may be provided with wheels and thus be mobile. It may be loaded onto a vehicle for transport from a loading area where the storage system is loaded with items for delivery, to a delivery area where the items are to be delivered by one or more delivery robots.