Delivering items using autonomous vehicles

    公开(公告)号:US10532885B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-01-14

    申请号:US16430296

    申请日:2019-06-03

    Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may be deployed to areas where an item is in demand, and configured to fulfill orders for the item received from the areas. The autonomous vehicles are loaded with the item and dispatched to the area under their own power or in a carrier. When an order for the item is received, an autonomous vehicle delivers the item to a location in the area. Autonomous vehicles may also be equipped with a 3D printer or other equipment and loaded with materials for manufacturing the item. When an order for the item is received, the autonomous vehicle manufactures the item from such materials, and delivers the item. Autonomous vehicles may be configured for collaboration, such as to deliver or manufacture items in multiple stages and to transfer the items between vehicles. Autonomous vehicles may also be configured to automatically access locations in the area, e.g., using wireless access codes.

    Distributed production of items from locally sourced materials using autonomous vehicles

    公开(公告)号:US10310499B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-06-04

    申请号:US15389963

    申请日:2016-12-23

    Abstract: Autonomous vehicles may be deployed to areas where an item is in demand, and configured to fulfill orders for the item received from the areas. The autonomous vehicles are loaded with the item and dispatched to the area under their own power or in a carrier. When an order for the item is received, an autonomous vehicle delivers the item to a location in the area. Autonomous vehicles may also be equipped with a 3D printer or other equipment and loaded with materials for manufacturing the item. When an order for the item is received, the autonomous vehicle manufactures the item from such materials, and delivers the item. Autonomous vehicles may be configured for collaboration, such as to deliver or manufacture items in multiple stages and to transfer the items between vehicles. Autonomous vehicles may also be configured to automatically access locations in the area, e.g., using wireless access codes.

    Navigable path networks for autonomous vehicles

    公开(公告)号:US10248120B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-04-02

    申请号:US15268202

    申请日:2016-09-16

    Abstract: Navigable path networks herein are defined based on attributes of tasks to be performed by autonomous vehicles traveling thereon, based on attributes of such vehicles, or attributes of the environments in which such networks are provided. The networks include traditional and non-traditional transportation features, and are defined based on prior travel within the environments, including information gathered by such vehicles during such prior travel. The autonomous vehicles are robotic, self-powered units having storage compartments for carrying objects between points of the networks. An optimal route within a navigable path network is selected based on attributes of an autonomous vehicle, a task to be performed by the autonomous vehicle, or the various paths within the network. A navigable path network is updated based on information subsequently learned regarding the environment, including information captured by autonomous vehicles traveling on paths of the network.

    Modular autonomous ground vehicles
    95.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10245993B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-04-02

    申请号:US15280504

    申请日:2016-09-29

    Abstract: Autonomous ground vehicles (“AGVs”) are utilized to transport items to delivery locations and may be modular in that a storage compartment portion (e.g., which may hold an ordered item) may be removable (i.e., separable) from a propulsion portion. In various implementations, the storage compartment portion may be securely attached to the propulsion portion during transport (e.g., requiring an access code to remove and/or open), and the storage compartment portion may similarly be securely attached to the delivery location (e.g., at a docking station) when delivered. In various implementations, the storage compartment portion may be refrigerated, heated, etc., and may include various sensors on the inside and outside of the storage compartment portion (e.g., temperature sensors, motion sensors, image sensors to determine the presence and condition of items and/or to assist with navigation and other operations of the propulsion portion, etc.).

    Optical vibrometric testing of container for items

    公开(公告)号:US10229487B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-03-12

    申请号:US15443677

    申请日:2017-02-27

    Abstract: Techniques for automated quality control of containers and items are disclosed. Images of a container can be successively captured over time. A consolidated image can be generated from the captured images. A non-image representation of the consolidated image can be determined. The non-image representation can be used to determine whether the container satisfies a condition. An imaging system can include a visual reference object or an object sensor used to detect entry of the container into a view volume of an electronic camera. A motion system can transport the container into the view volume. Some examples operate in an automated-warehouse environment.

    COORDINATED OPTIMIZATION OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATIONS

    公开(公告)号:US20190049997A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-02-14

    申请号:US15673952

    申请日:2017-08-10

    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating operations of a plurality of autonomous vehicles are described. An autonomous vehicle management system may receive information from the plurality of autonomous vehicles related to strategy modes, actions, and the environments. The strategy modes may include an uncoupled strategy mode, a permissive strategy mode, an assistive strategy mode, and a preventative strategy mode. The autonomous vehicle management system may then process the received information based on an operational goal for the system as a whole. The autonomous vehicle management system may then instruct modifications to operations of one or more of the plurality of autonomous vehicles to achieve the operational goal for the system.

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