Self-Delivery Cart Navigation Using Camera-Based Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for facilitating customer pickup of online orders at physical locations are inefficient due to human error, leading to increased costs and long wait times, as they rely on dedicated representatives to monitor and deliver items to vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A cart delivery system utilizing sensors, such as cameras and GPS, to identify customer arrival and navigate a transport vehicle, like a wheeled cart, to the customer's location within a designated area, reducing the need for human intervention and minimizing wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated merchant representative manually monitors and delivers items to customer vehicles, then the delivery process can be completed, but the system incurs high labor costs, long wait times, and is prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having the cart autonomously navigate to the customer vehicle without human intervention. The cart uses onboard sensors (cameras, GPS) to detect the customer's arrival and automatically transports the order to the designated location, eliminating the need for manual delivery by merchant representatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual monitoring and delivery with an automated sensor-based system. Cameras and GPS track customer vehicles, and the cart's propulsion system autonomously navigates to deliver items, substituting human physical labor with automated mechanical and optical systems.
2Productivity
If a dedicated merchant representative manually monitors customer arrival and vehicle identification, then delivery can be coordinated, but the process incurs high labor costs and is prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the delivery process into distinct functional modules: customer vehicle detection via cameras, location tracking via GPS, order preparation, and autonomous cart navigation. Each module operates independently but coordinates through a centralized control system, allowing for specialized optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart system serves multiple functions: it acts as both the delivery vehicle and the navigation system, integrating sensors (cameras, GPS) and propulsion capabilities in a single unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate monitoring and delivery systems, reducing overall system complexity despite the automation.
3Loss of time
If manual monitoring and vehicle identification is used, then customer delivery can be facilitated, but the process is slow and requires significant human resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the cart near the fulfillment area and pre-configuring it with sensors and navigation capabilities before customer arrival. When the customer arrives, the cart is already ready to autonomously navigate and deliver, eliminating setup delays that would occur with manual preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where cameras and GPS constantly monitor customer vehicle location and status. This real-time feedback enables the control system to dynamically adjust the cart's navigation and timing, ensuring optimal delivery speed and accuracy without human intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A user location in a parking lot or other designated area may be identified based on sensor data, such as from one or more sensors in or around the designated area. Also within the designated area, a transport location of a transport associated with an order of the user may be identified based on image data provided by one or more cameras remote from the transport. The transport can be controlled to move from the identified transport location to the identified user location.