Smart Containers for Crowdsourced Delivery via Public Transit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shipping methods rely on large fleets of vehicles for package delivery, which can be inefficient and costly, and do not effectively utilize underutilized space in public transportation systems for delivery services.
Innovation Solution
A crowdsourced delivery system utilizing smart, reusable containers that can be tracked and unlocked via mobile devices, allowing for peer-to-peer delivery through public transportation networks, enabling efficient handoffs between couriers and reducing the need for extensive vehicle fleets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shipping services use large fleets of vehicles for package delivery, then delivery coverage and reliability are improved, but operational costs and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces public transportation vehicles as intermediaries in the delivery process. Instead of traditional shipping companies deploying their own fleets, the system utilizes existing public transit vehicles (buses, trains, etc.) as carriers for packages. This intermediary approach allows packages to be transported through the public infrastructure, reducing the need for dedicated delivery fleets while maintaining delivery capability across the service area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes public transportation vehicles multi-functional by enabling them to serve both their primary public transport function and a secondary delivery function. The vehicles carry both passengers and packages simultaneously, utilizing underutilized space (such as overhead racks, floor spaces, or designated compartments) for package transport. This universal utilization of existing infrastructure reduces resource consumption while maintaining delivery reliability.
2Productivity
If traditional shipping services deploy extensive vehicle fleets, then delivery capacity increases, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses public transportation vehicles as intermediary carriers, leveraging their existing routes and schedules to provide delivery capacity. This eliminates the need for shipping companies to maintain expensive dedicated fleets, as the public transit infrastructure already provides widespread coverage and regular service patterns that can be utilized for package delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service model where packages are integrated into the existing public transportation system without requiring additional dedicated resources. The system utilizes the self-organizing nature of public transit routes and schedules to automatically provide delivery capacity, with packages being transported as part of the regular service operation rather than requiring separate delivery expeditions.
3Loss of substance
If reusable smart containers are used for crowdsourced delivery, then environmental impact is reduced, but container management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual container management with automated electronic systems. Smart containers are equipped with GPS tracking, RFID tags, and electronic locking mechanisms that communicate with a centralized management platform. This substitution of mechanical tracking and manual management with electronic automation reduces the complexity burden on human operators while enabling sophisticated container management, including real-time location tracking, automated authentication, and route optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where smart containers automatically report their status, location, and environmental conditions to the management system. This real-time feedback enables automated decision-making for container allocation, tracking, and retrieval, reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining high levels of control and oversight over the container fleet.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a smart container may enable crowdsourced delivery of items from a pickup location to a delivery location. The container may include a location sensor and a communication interface to enable the container to provide its location to at least one of a service computing device, a courier device, a sender device, or a recipient device. In some cases, a service provider may employ public transport vehicles to transport the container along a portion of a delivery route. One crowdsourced courier may pick up the container for placement on the public transport vehicle and another crowdsourced courier may pick up the container from the public transport vehicle and deliver the container to the delivery location. Further, the container may include multiple compartments, and recipients who receive a shipment in the container may be solicited to deliver the container to a delivery location of a next recipient.