Container device and delivery systems for using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Freight vehicles cause traffic congestion and failed deliveries due to insufficient parking and delivery attempts when recipients are not home, necessitating new container devices and delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for consolidating packages in smart container devices at a delivery hub, using identifiers and locks, and delivering them via autonomous vehicles through underground tunnels to reduce street congestion and improve delivery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If freight vehicles make deliveries to businesses and residences, then delivery service is provided, but traffic congestion and parking problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into multiple components: a central hub receives bulk deliveries, autonomous vehicles transport containers from the hub, and smart lockers are distributed throughout the neighborhood. This segmentation allows freight vehicles to deliver only to the central hub rather than making multiple stops in residential areas, thereby reducing traffic congestion while maintaining comprehensive delivery service.
Solution Approach 2:
Autonomous vehicles and smart lockers serve as intermediaries between the central hub and final recipients. The autonomous vehicles transport containers from the hub to neighborhood locations, and the smart lockers hold packages for recipient pickup. This intermediary system eliminates the need for freight vehicles to make direct delivery stops in congested areas.
2Ease of operation
If delivery vehicles double park in streets to make deliveries, then delivery access is achieved, but traffic congestion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a spatial dimension to deliveries by placing smart lockers throughout the neighborhood and using autonomous vehicles for transport. Instead of delivery vehicles needing to access every street and parking spot (two-dimensional street-level delivery), the system uses a three-dimensional approach with centralized hub reception, autonomous ground transport, and distributed locker placement, eliminating the need for double parking.
3Productivity
If delivery attempts are made when recipients are not home, then delivery service is attempted, but failed deliveries increase requiring multiple attempts
Solution Approach 1:
Packages are delivered to the central hub in advance and prepared for distribution. The system performs preliminary sorting and containerization at the hub before autonomous vehicles transport them to neighborhood lockers. This preliminary action ensures packages are ready for recipient pickup without requiring the recipient to be present during the initial delivery to the hub.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart lockers enable recipient self-service for package retrieval. Recipients can access their packages at convenient times without requiring a delivery person to be present. This self-service mechanism eliminates failed delivery attempts caused by recipient unavailability, as packages are held securely in lockers until the recipient can collect them.
4Reliability
If multiple delivery attempts are made, then delivery completion is achieved, but time loss and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
Smart lockers serve as intermediaries that hold packages securely until recipients can collect them. This eliminates the need for multiple delivery attempts, as the package remains in the locker regardless of recipient availability. The system achieves reliable delivery completion in a single attempt by decoupling the delivery action from the recipient pickup action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping packages in smart lockers until pickup rather than requiring repeated delivery attempts. The package remains in a ready state in the locker, and the recipient can retrieve it at any convenient time, ensuring continuous availability without time loss from multiple delivery trips.
Data Source
AI summary
Container devices and delivery systems for using the same are provided. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for delivering packages is provided that includes: receiving, at a delivery hub, a first package to be delivered to a recipient; causing the first package to be placed in a container to be delivered to the recipient; associating an identifier of the first package and an identifier of the container with the recipient; determining, at a first time point, whether the container is ready to be delivered to the recipient; in response to determining that the container is not ready to be delivered to the recipient, waiting for a second package to be delivered to the recipient; receiving the second package to be delivered to the recipient; causing the second package to be placed in the container; associating an identifier of the second package with the identifier of the container; determining, at a second time point, whether the container is ready to be delivered to the recipient; and, in response to determining that the container is ready to be delivered to the recipient, causing the container to be loaded onto a delivery vehicle.