Provided is a method for delivering goods in collaboration of a plurality of autonomous vehicles including a master vehicle and one or more slave vehicles. The method comprises calculating, by the master vehicle among the plurality of autonomous vehicles, a floor area required for unloading the goods based on a size of the goods, searching and determining, by the master vehicle, a region providing a flat area greater than or equal to the floor area as a goods handing over point, providing, by the master vehicle, position information of the goods handing over point to the one or more slave vehicles so that the one or more slave vehicles are gathered to the goods handing over point, providing, by the master vehicle, the position information of the goods handing over point to an unmanned aerial vehicle so that the unmanned aerial vehicle moves to the goods handing over point, determining, by the master vehicle, a portion of the goods to be supported by each autonomous vehicle based on a size of delivery target goods, moving, by each autonomous vehicle located at the goods handing over point, to a position corresponding to the determined portion, taking over the goods from the unmanned aerial vehicle and loading them together by collaborating with each autonomous vehicle at the moved position, and delivering the loaded goods to a destination by the plurality of autonomous vehicles.

Provided is a method for delivering goods in collaboration of a plurality of autonomous vehicles including a master vehicle and one or more slave vehicles. The method comprises calculating, by the master vehicle among the plurality of autonomous vehicles, a floor area required for unloading the goods based on a size of the goods, searching and determining, by the master vehicle, a region providing a flat area greater than or equal to the floor area as a goods handing over point, providing, by the master vehicle, position information of the goods handing over point to the one or more slave vehicles so that the one or more slave vehicles are gathered to the goods handing over point, providing, by the master vehicle, the position information of the goods handing over point to an unmanned aerial vehicle so that the unmanned aerial vehicle moves to the goods handing over point, determining, by the master vehicle, a portion of the goods to be supported by each autonomous vehicle based on a size of delivery target goods, moving, by each autonomous vehicle located at the goods handing over point, to a position corresponding to the determined portion, taking over the goods from the unmanned aerial vehicle and loading them together by collaborating with each autonomous vehicle at the moved position, and delivering the loaded goods to a destination by the plurality of autonomous vehicles.

A ground vehicle for transporting loads comprises a load stabilizer to provide additional stability of the load during transport. The load stabilizer includes a securing arm coupled to a support frame that is coupled to a pad. The securing arm is also configured to movably mate with the ground vehicle. When a load is placed onto the ground vehicle, the load stabilizer is positioned so that the pad contacts the load to provide stability. The load stabilizer is positioned by actuating a motor, such as a stepper motor. The motor stops when it reaches a torque threshold placed on the motor through contact of the load stabilizer with the load. This mechanism allows for a lightweight load stabilizer that minimally affects the center of mass of the ground vehicle, while at the same time, provides a consistent load-stabilizing force that reduces the likelihood of damage to the load.

A ground vehicle for transporting loads comprises a load stabilizer to provide additional stability of the load during transport. The load stabilizer includes a securing arm coupled to a support frame that is coupled to a pad. The securing arm is also configured to movably mate with the ground vehicle. When a load is placed onto the ground vehicle, the load stabilizer is positioned so that the pad contacts the load to provide stability. The load stabilizer is positioned by actuating a motor, such as a stepper motor. The motor stops when it reaches a torque threshold placed on the motor through contact of the load stabilizer with the load. This mechanism allows for a lightweight load stabilizer that minimally affects the center of mass of the ground vehicle, while at the same time, provides a consistent load-stabilizing force that reduces the likelihood of damage to the load.

A modular robot system which may be configured to accommodate packages of varying sizes is provided. The modular robot may include a base having omni-directional wheels and cameras and sensors, one or more modular containers, and a lid, which may be releasably linked together to form a small, medium or larger units. The base may include a lifting mechanism to vertically raise the robot to a desired height in alignment with a delivery vehicle. Moreover, retractable loading arms of the vehicle may be extended from the vehicle to engage with the robot to facilitate self-loading of the robot into the delivery vehicle.

A deck system for cargo compartment may including one or more of the following features: a first deck; a second deck, where at least one of the first deck and the second deck divide the cargo compartment into an upper sub-compartment and a lower sub-compartment; and an actuator that is mechanically coupled to the second deck, where operation of the actuator causes at least a portion of the second deck to move vertically relative to the first deck within the cargo compartment.

A self-propelled vehicle for handling glass-sheet supporting racks of the type comprising a front rack-supporting section and a rear drive section, both provided with ground-resting wheels; the front rack-supporting section comprising: an oblong chassis which is movable vertically with respect to the rear drive section, and is provided with two longitudinal beams that extend parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and delimit a large central compartment open at the front and adapted to accommodate a glass-sheet supporting rack; at least one pair of front ground-resting wheels that are located underneath said longitudinal beams; at least one optoelectronic sensing device which is adapted to control/scan the space in front of/facing the vehicle; and a support assembly which is integral with the oblong chassis, holds the optoelectronic sensing device, and is capable of moving said optoelectronic sensing device vertically relative to the oblong chassis.

A transport vehicle for transporting payloads is provided. The transport vehicle includes primary and secondary chassis, and first and second sets of wheels for supporting the respective primary and secondary chassis. A guide arrangement is mounted on the primary chassis and the secondary chassis is slidably mounted on the guide arrangement. The primary and secondary chassis are parallel and spaced apart from each other. A payload lifting arrangement is positioned on a top surface of the secondary chassis to lift a payload. When a weight of the payload is below or equal to a threshold weight, the weight is distributed across the second set of wheels by way of the suspension arrangement. When the weight of the payload exceeds the threshold weight, the weight is distributed across the first and second sets of wheels by way of the guide arrangement and the suspension arrangement, respectively.

A transport vehicle for transporting payloads is provided. The transport vehicle includes primary and secondary chassis, and first and second sets of wheels for supporting the respective primary and secondary chassis. A guide arrangement is mounted on the primary chassis and the secondary chassis is slidably mounted on the guide arrangement. The primary and secondary chassis are parallel and spaced apart from each other. A payload lifting arrangement is positioned on a top surface of the secondary chassis to lift a payload. When a weight of the payload is below or equal to a threshold weight, the weight is distributed across the second set of wheels by way of the suspension arrangement. When the weight of the payload exceeds the threshold weight, the weight is distributed across the first and second sets of wheels by way of the guide arrangement and the suspension arrangement, respectively.

A deployable hay pod elevator system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable hay pod, storage pod, or supply platform with the trailer, and is readily stowable above the trailer in a raised configuration for travel. The elevator system includes a deployable supply platform and a vertical raising and lowering mechanism or lift system configured to move the supply platform relative to the trailer. The lift includes a pivot arm system coupled to a sidewall of the trailer and a lift assist mechanism, such as a linear actuator, to vertically raise and lower the deployable supply platform. The elevator system includes a supply platform pivot actuation mechanism to adjust the angle of the platform relative to the pivot arm during stowage and deployment of the system. The elevator system may be fitted to various types of vehicles to store and transport various materials.