Transparent Cubby Access Control for Autonomous Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous delivery vehicles lack a system to ensure accurate delivery of items to the correct recipients without human intervention, as existing AVs designed for grocery delivery cannot be repurposed for other applications and lack mechanisms to prevent accidental or malicious access to items.
Innovation Solution
A transparent cubby system within the autonomous vehicle, equipped with selectively transparent touchscreen displays and an authentication system, allows recipients to access their items while keeping others inaccessible, enabling secure and accurate delivery across various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If autonomous vehicles use built-in compartments for storing delivery items, then delivery capacity is improved, but security and accuracy of item delivery deteriorates because there is no system to ensure items reach the correct recipient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple segmented compartments (cubbies), each capable of holding separate deliveries for different recipients. This segmentation allows the system to maintain organized storage while implementing individual access control for each compartment, thereby preserving delivery capacity while improving delivery accuracy and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that mediates between the stored items and the recipients. This intermediary layer verifies recipient identity and authorization before allowing access to specific compartments, ensuring that items reach the correct recipients without compromising storage capacity.
2Reliability
If vehicles are specialized for grocery delivery with built-in compartments, then delivery function is improved, but adaptability for other applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal storage system with standardized compartments that can serve multiple functions. The same compartment structure used for grocery delivery can be repurposed for other delivery types or even ridesharing applications, as the system focuses on the universal need for organized, secure item storage rather than application-specific features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic configuration capabilities where compartments can be selectively accessed, opened, or modified based on different service requirements. This dynamic nature allows the vehicle to transition between different service modes (grocery delivery, other delivery types, ridesharing) while maintaining reliable item storage and delivery functions.
3Ease of operation
If all cubby doors are transparent, then ease of accessing items is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cubby doors incorporate dynamically controllable transparency through electrochromic glass technology. The transparency state can be changed in real-time based on authentication results: transparent when access is authorized to enable easy viewing and retrieval, and opaque when access is denied to prevent unauthorized viewing or access. This dynamic property resolves the contradiction between accessibility and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color/transparency changes in the cubby door material to indicate access status. The electrochromic glass transitions between transparent and opaque states, providing visual feedback about access authorization while physically preventing unauthorized access when opaque, thus balancing ease of operation with security.
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 transparent cubby system ensures that recipients can easily retrieve their items while preventing unauthorized access, allowing the AV to be repurposed for different services based on demand, enhancing delivery security and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The cubby doors may include electrochromic glass that can change between transparent and opaque states
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous delivery system for a vehicle is described and includes a plurality of cubbies for retaining items for delivery to users, wherein each of the cubbies comprises a door for selectively enabling access to contents of the cubby, wherein each of the doors comprises a selectively transparent display and wherein upon arrival at a delivery destination, the selectively transparent displays communicate to a recipient associated with the delivery destination in which one of the cubbies a delivery associated with the recipient is retained; and an authentication system for authenticating the recipient and, subsequent to successful authentication of the recipient, permitting access to contents of the one of the cubbies in which the delivery associated with the recipient is retained.