Patent classifications
B60P1/36
Automated Delivery Systems for Autonomous Vehicles
Systems and methods are directed to automated delivery systems. In one example, a vehicle is provided including a drive system, a passenger cabin; and a delivery service pod provided relative to the passenger cabin. The delivery service pod includes an access unit configured to allow for loading and unloading of a plurality of delivery crates into the delivery service pod. The delivery service pod further includes a conveyor unit comprising multiple delivery crate holding positions, the delivery crate holding positions being defined by neighboring sidewalls spaced apart within the delivery service pod such that a respective delivery crate of the plurality of delivery crates can be positioned between neighboring sidewalls, wherein the conveyor unit is configured to be rotated to align each of the delivery crate holding positions with the access unit.
Automated Delivery Systems for Autonomous Vehicles
Systems and methods are directed to automated delivery systems. In one example, a vehicle is provided including a drive system, a passenger cabin; and a delivery service pod provided relative to the passenger cabin. The delivery service pod includes an access unit configured to allow for loading and unloading of a plurality of delivery crates into the delivery service pod. The delivery service pod further includes a conveyor unit comprising multiple delivery crate holding positions, the delivery crate holding positions being defined by neighboring sidewalls spaced apart within the delivery service pod such that a respective delivery crate of the plurality of delivery crates can be positioned between neighboring sidewalls, wherein the conveyor unit is configured to be rotated to align each of the delivery crate holding positions with the access unit.
AUTONOMOUS TILTING DELIVERY VEHICLE
An autonomous tilting three-wheeled vehicle comprises a pair of front wheels coupled to a tiltable chassis by a mechanical linkage, such that the pair of wheels and the chassis are configured to tilt in unison with respect to a roll axis of the chassis. An electronic controller of the autonomous vehicle controls a tilt actuator to selectively tilt the chassis. Optionally, a steering actuator is coupled to the front wheels and controlled by the electronic controller to selectively steer the wheels. A sensor configured to measure orientation-dependent information may be coupled to the chassis by a gimbal configured to compensate for vehicle tilt. In some examples, the autonomous vehicle comprises an autonomous delivery robot.
Mobile Object
An embodiment mobile object includes a frame part having an internal space, a wheel part coupled to a first side of the frame part and comprising a wheel, movable modules coupled to a second side of the frame part and configured to be movable in a vertical direction relative to the frame part, and a door module coupled to a first side of the movable modules, the door part being rotatable relative to the movable modules in a direction toward the internal space or a direction away from the internal space.
AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A vehicle has an automated storage and retrieval system, the automated storage and retrieval system including an area for storage of items and having locations, each location being suitable for holding one or more of the items; an inductor that receives and inducts the items into the automated storage and retrieval system; a conveyor that conveys the items from the inductor to the area; and an extraction station. When an item is designated for removal from the area, the conveyor delivers the designated item to the extraction station and, after receipt of the designated item from the conveyor, the extraction station delivers the designated item to a designated recipient for extraction of the designated item from the automated storage and retrieval system.
CARGO TRANSPORT SYSTEM
A cargo transport system is provided that has an ability to move cargo in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner, using a compact lift vehicle capable of lifting relatively heavy objects. The system includes a cargo loading system, a sensor suite coupled with a controller, dunnage detection, cross-decking capability, cargo stacking capability, autonomous navigation, tip detection and prevention, or any combinations thereof. The system may include a fork assembly coupled with a mast and movable in a vertical direction relative to the mast. Further, the mast may be coupled with a platform or deck and movable in a horizontal direction relative to the platform, to allow the fork assembly to be lowered below a top plane of the platform when the mast is at a forward location relative to the platform. The controller and sensor suite and may provide for autonomous or semi-autonomous control and movement of the cargo transport system.
CARGO TRANSPORT SYSTEM
A cargo transport system is provided that has an ability to move cargo in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner, using a compact lift vehicle capable of lifting relatively heavy objects. The system includes a cargo loading system, a sensor suite coupled with a controller, dunnage detection, cross-decking capability, cargo stacking capability, autonomous navigation, tip detection and prevention, or any combinations thereof. The system may include a fork assembly coupled with a mast and movable in a vertical direction relative to the mast. Further, the mast may be coupled with a platform or deck and movable in a horizontal direction relative to the platform, to allow the fork assembly to be lowered below a top plane of the platform when the mast is at a forward location relative to the platform. The controller and sensor suite and may provide for autonomous or semi-autonomous control and movement of the cargo transport system.
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR LOADING, SHIFTING, AND STAGING OBJECTS IN AUTOMATED OR SEMI-AUTOMATED FASHION
Loading, shifting, and staging objects in automated or semi-automated fashion including systems, methods, and apparatuses for the same. The embodiments hereof enable automated and/or semi-automated loading, shifting, organizing, staging, and accessing of objects in different environments, e.g., those associated with a logistics network operation. For example, one such environment is a vehicle. In one aspect, a loading mechanism is used to load objects into a storage space of the vehicle. In another aspect, a shifting mechanism is used to shift objects in a storage space of the vehicle. In another aspect, a door assembly allows for automated opening and closing of a door into a storage space of a vehicle. In addition, methods of manufacturing and using the same are provided.
Systems and methods for return logistics for merchandise via autonomous vehicle
An autonomous robotic vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock, a customer identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the autonomous robotic vehicle to, autonomously: travel to a destination location of a customer; capture, by the customer identification reader at the destination location, a customer identification object; determine that the captured customer identification object matches an identity of the customer; unlock the securable compartment based on the determination; capture, by the product identification reader, a product identifier; and accept a product to be returned by locking the securable compartment. The securable compartment contains a product identification reader.
Systems and methods for return logistics for merchandise via autonomous vehicle
An autonomous robotic vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock, a customer identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the autonomous robotic vehicle to, autonomously: travel to a destination location of a customer; capture, by the customer identification reader at the destination location, a customer identification object; determine that the captured customer identification object matches an identity of the customer; unlock the securable compartment based on the determination; capture, by the product identification reader, a product identifier; and accept a product to be returned by locking the securable compartment. The securable compartment contains a product identification reader.