A server includes a communication interface and a controller that transmits and receives information to and from other apparatuses via the communication interface. The controller receives information on a cruising range from each mobile store among a plurality of mobile stores selling different types of products and transmits an instruction to the mobile stores to circulate as a group along a circulation route travelable by a first mobile store having the shortest cruising range.

A server apparatus includes a communication interface and a controller that transmits and receives information to and from other apparatuses via the communication interface. The controller receives, from a shop terminal apparatus of a shop, information on a food product to be collected and transmits, to a mobile shop that collects the food product, a reconfiguration procedure for reconfiguring an ingredient included in the food product to yield a reconfigured food product having an expiration date later than an expiration date of the food product. The controller prompts the mobile shop to sell the reconfigured food product.

Connector carriers (e.g., connector carousels) for use with electronic device processing kiosks, such as mobile phone recycling kiosks, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector carrier includes a chassis and a plurality of electrical connectors fixedly positioned around a periphery of the chassis. In operation, the connector carrier is configured to rotate about a central axis to position a selected one of the electrical connectors in a first position adjacent to an inspection area of the kiosk, and then move toward the inspection area to move the selected electrical connector from the first position to a second position in which a user can connect a mobile phone to the electrical connector.

A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.

The present invention relates to a system in a vehicle which enables fully automatic preparation of pizza during delivery in order to deliver crisp pizza fresh out of the oven to the customers. The system carries out the process starting from the fermentation of the dough up to the cooking of the product in the vehicle automatically without using manpower. Delivery with optional autonomous driving characteristic is performed without a driver. Pizza delivery vehicles operating in real time with the back office and management application, calculates the cooking time by using the position information of the vehicle and times it such that the cooking process is completed when the vehicle arrives at the delivery destination. As a result, it is enabled for the pizzas cooked inside the stone oven within the vehicle to be delivered to the customers with quality such that they were cooked in a restaurant.

A method for fulfilling a work task request using a modular autonomous vehicle is provided. The method includes transmitting a work task request specifying a work request to be performed by the modular autonomous vehicle, and identifying equipment required for performing the work task request. Once the work task request is stored at a server, the method further includes identifying information of the equipment required for performing the work task request, and determining whether equipment of the modular autonomous vehicle corresponds to the equipment required for assigning the work task to the modular autonomous vehicle. Method also includes, upon receiving in-cabin sensing data, assigning or denying the work task to the modular autonomous vehicle for performance of the work task.

Methods and systems for autonomously altering shape and functionality of on-road vehicles. An on-road autonomous vehicle, which is currently integrated with a first object and thus having a respective certain functional shape, performs a respective certain function. A request is obtained to alter functionality of the on-road vehicle, which consequently releases autonomously the first object, self drives to a location of a second object, and self-integrates with the second object by straddling-over and grabbing the second object, thus switching to a different functional shape and consequently accomplishing said alteration of functionality.

A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle, the control apparatus including a controller that is configured to: identify a vehicle that stores a product in accordance with attribute information for a user, or a vehicle that can provide a service in accordance with the attribute information; and perform control to move the vehicle to provide the product or the service at a location of the user.

An information processing apparatus disclosed has a controller configured to execute the processing of, when a first vehicle body unit on which a first vending machine is mounted is laid at a specific place, determining a time for maintenance defined as a time to perform maintenance of the first vending machine, and sending a replacement command to a chassis unit that is configured in such a way as to be capable of travelling autonomously and being coupled to and separated from a vehicle body unit, as per the time for maintenance. The replacement command is a command to transport a second vehicle body unit on which a second vending machine is mounted to the specific place and retrieve the first vehicle body unit from the specific place.

An autonomous dining vehicle characterized as a mobile restaurant, bar or a limousine comprising a lower floor, an upper floor connected by multiple steps, a kitchen area for cooking meals all made on the lower floor, a consumption area including tables and seating on the lower and upper floors, at least one restroom, door and a ramp for access. A driver may provide manual driving or a driver operating from a control center systematically provides autonomous driving to autonomously control steering and propulsion said wheel-set.