EP3485479A2

EP3485479A2 - Traffic system, self-propelled vehicle, and traffic system control process

Info

Publication number: EP3485479A2
Application number: EP17743291.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Herwig Fischer
Original assignee: Innovative Dragon Ltd
Current assignee: FISCHER, GERRIT
Priority date: 2016-07-15
Filing date: 2017-07-14
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Also published as: WO2018011394A2; CN109478371A; US20190286162A1; US11360489B2; WO2018011394A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a traffic system comprising a fleet of self-propelled vehicles for transporting passengers and/or packets within a defined region, a self-propelled vehicle for use within such a traffic system, and a control process for a traffic system comprising a fleet of self-propelled vehicles. In order to create a traffic system that allows for cost-effective and individual mobility of passengers and/or packets especially in urban traffic, according to the invention, a vehicle controller is provided that comprises an on-board unit assigned to the individual vehicle as well as a central computer connected to all of the vehicles in the fleet, the vehicle dynamics of an individual vehicle are controlled by the on-board unit, and the navigation and integration of an individual vehicle into traffic are controlled by both the on-board unit and the central computer.

Description

Verkehrssvstem, self-driving vehicle and Steuerunqsverfahren a

transport system

The present invention relates to a traffic system comprising a fleet of self-propelled vehicles for transporting people and / or parcels within a demarcated area, a self-propelled vehicle for use within such a traffic system and a control method of one

Transport system with a fleet of self-propelled vehicles.

Mobility has meanwhile become an irreplaceable necessity for quality of life, with a distinction in principle between individual mobility - such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles and the like - and collective mobility - such as bus, train, scheduled flight and the like. These categories are currently one

dynamic change, as the dramatic development of electric drives and of sensors, control and regulation systems, autonomous driving, ie an independent vehicle management on all roads allows and in the medium term will completely replace the vehicle guidance by persons.

In the established vehicle industry, therefore, an evolutionary process can be observed in which conventional car concepts with combustion engines are successively transferred to electrically driven and self-driving cars. In fact, however, the conversion to autonomous vehicle concepts is unnecessarily delayed because not only elementary basic specifications of the vehicle architecture, the design, the ergonomics and the arrangement of all modules in the vehicle (packaging) change, but also all design and target parameters of the device itself, such as for example, depreciation times, service intervals, usage costs, degree of utilization, user behavior, integration into traffic management,

Personalization and identification between vehicle and driver or owner of the vehicle.

Conventional passenger cars are designed with the goal of being as possible

bought unlimited and extensive use, which is why with the same car on the one hand shopping trips (with only one passenger), daily trips to work (also with only one passenger), and on the other hand vacation and long-distance trips are completed where the vehicle takes several people and suitcases. This universal use results in a very poor adaptation to the respective mission profile. For example, this transports

Vehicle a large and heavy car on 200 working days, just a single person without luggage with four empty seats and an empty trunk, only to have enough cargo capacity for a vacation trip a year.

In addition, cars are nowadays understood as a prestige object and are therefore provided with greater luxury than is generally used.

In fact, cars are used on average only 5% of the time at all and are therefore 95% of the time as dead capital in readiness and need expensive parking space. Due to the use of internal combustion engines with the known disadvantages in wear caused by mixed friction of the many sliding moving contacts in cold start, high thermal stresses due to the high temperature gradients and the chemistry of the exhaust aftertreatment the depreciation to 250,000 km are calculated. The product made with the high use of energy and raw materials is then scrapped.

Due to legal reasons, the vehicle guidance by persons requires many compromises with regard to the active visibility conditions for the driver to the outside and the passive visibility into the vehicle for the identification of the driver with the result of strong sunlight through the glazing and thus with a high energy input for the air conditioning especially with battery-powered drives leads to significant range losses.

In addition, an autonomous vehicle management possible with an active networking and car-to-car communication is universally very complex for all vehicle missions such as long haul, highway, congestion and city traffic and rural roads and especially in the transition phase, in the autonomous vehicles and drive people-driven vehicles at the same time, security requirements are difficult to fulfill.

In addition to the problems described above concerning the transport of persons, especially in urban areas, it can be observed that the

Sales of goods through mail-order companies worldwide are increasing and forecasts show an even further increase for the next few years. Transport from dealer to customer is very efficient through sophisticated logistics systems right up to the last distribution warehouse. However, the final route to the customer (last mile) with the known systems, such as delivery by passenger-controlled vehicles, increasingly problematic.

The previous delivery is based on specified routes, so that the end customer can not be supplied at a pre-agreed time, but then when the driver reaches the delivery address on his route. In addition, the delivery takes place during the day when many customers are not home for work. As a result, customers often have to be approached several times, or after several unsuccessful attempts, the customer must pick up the goods themselves in the distribution center or at another issuing office.

In addition, it should be noted that the vehicle is in the format of a

During the many parking operations, van picking for about 200 parcels a day does not allow for proper parking, forcing the driver to park illegally with warning lights on a lane of the road, which is associated with the known negative consequences for the traffic flow in the city ,

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a traffic system which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a cost-effective and individual mobility for people and / or packages, especially in city traffic. This object is achieved by the traffic system according to claim 1, the self-propelled vehicle according to claim 3 and the control method of a traffic system according to claim 32.

1 . traffic system

According to the invention, a vehicle control is provided with an on-board unit assigned to the individual vehicle and a central computer connected to all vehicles in the fleet, the vehicle dynamics of a single vehicle being regulated by the on-board unit and navigation and integration of a single vehicle into traffic controlled by both the on-board unit and the central computer. In addition to the software and the

Computing capacity for vehicle guidance on board (on-board unit) is thus provided a central computer unit which constantly monitors and evaluates all or the majority of all trips of the vehicle fleet and so running

Optimizations in routing can make, with the

Optimization objectives according to any criteria, such as shortest travel time, minimum energy consumption, local route relief, evading from

Obstacles or avoid local special events.

The present traffic system is to be differentiated from already known concepts of a fleet of self-propelled vehicles, in particular because in conventional automated driving control systems are provided which simulate an automatic driver and monitor the environment through elaborate cameras and / or environment sensors of any kind. On the other hand, the movement of a single vehicle according to the present invention is basically controlled by a central computer, so that a robot-like simulation of a driver is largely dispensable. Although such systems also support the safety of the present vehicle fleet, far fewer control devices are required. Further are

For example, traffic lights via radio or other wireless

Communication links connected to the individual vehicles of the fleet, so that stop and departure signals are transmitted without errors and delay. In the existing infrastructure of cities can be described

Transport system therefore integrate without a major effort.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the vehicles of the fleet are connected to one another by a car-to-car communication, wherein preferably only such vehicles are connected to each other by a car-to-car communication, located within a perimeter from 100 m of the vehicle. In particular, restricting car-to-car communication to a radius of 100 m saves computing capacity because not all vehicles in the fleet exchange information with each other that is not necessarily relevant in the local area where a single vehicle is currently located ,

Ideally, the traffic system according to the invention is implemented so that individual areas, sub-areas or routes of a city or town are served exclusively by this system. Thus, a maximum of transport capacity, transport speed, environmental relief and

Passenger comfort achieved. Because the system can handle virtually any transportation task, it can handle all mobility needs in full. For cases where more than two passengers are carried, simply several self-propelled vehicles can be requested.

For special tasks, such as transport for the disabled, transport of bulky goods or several underage passengers including caregivers special vehicles of the fleet are provided which have other passenger compartment sizes, but otherwise are compatible with the self-propelled vehicles used in the invention.

The system is also compatible for mixed operation with conventional non-self-propelled vehicles of all kinds, ie person-driven vehicles, buses and trains, however, the maximum benefit or the maximum Transport performance is achieved when the system is used exclusively in a selected area or on a selected route.

2. self-driving vehicle

Analogously to the traffic system according to the invention, the self-propelled vehicle according to the invention has a vehicle control with an on-board unit assigned to the self-propelled vehicle and a connection to a central computer which is connected to all self-propelled vehicles of the fleet, the vehicle dynamics being controlled by the onboard unit and the navigation and integration of the vehicle in the traffic is controlled by both the on-board unit and the central computer. The

Inventive self-propelled vehicle provides the same advantages that have been previously described in terms of the traffic system according to the invention.

Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the self-propelled vehicle will be described.

According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the width of the vehicle is less than 1, 2 m, preferably less than 1, 0 m, so that at least two vehicles can drive in parallel on a lane. The small track width is an important part of the present invention and allows two vehicles to travel side by side on a lane of the road. Lanes in the city center are between 2.75 m and 3.75 m wide, so that with a vehicle width of the self-driving vehicle from 0.8 m to 1.2 m two vehicles safely side by side drive and in addition a standing on the edge self-driving vehicle, the For example, just picks up passengers or drops, can dodge.

Attempts to relieve the city traffic by running vehicles with passengers sitting side by side very short, such as the Smart, proved to be almost completely useless, since only one vehicle can drive per lane and even at a speed of 50 km / h with the prescribed safety distances of 25 m to the front and rear, the saving in traffic area is marginal. The safety distances and the vehicle length total 52.6 m, which is almost negligible compared to a 5 m long vehicle with a corresponding length of 55 m (including safety distance).

The self-propelled vehicles according to the invention, in contrast, double the use of the parallel drive side by side, additionally prevent the

Backlog by holding vehicles on the edge and can be operated in the long term optionally because of the increased precision and safety of the autonomous vehicle management in the narrow distance in the direction of travel, so that an increase in vehicle density and vehicle throughput by a factor of 2 to 2.5 results. In the long term, it can be expected that the safety distances can be reduced by up to 70%, which even increases the vehicle density by a factor of 6 to 7. The vehicles according to the invention can be run in block mode, i. that instead of specifying a time interval when starting at traffic lights, such as 1, 8 seconds according to the StVo, the

driving side by side and behind the other vehicles at the same time, which is associated with a considerable gain of time. Subsequently, with increasing speed of the vehicles, a constant spatial distance of e.g. 2 m can be controlled at any speed, since response times between vehicles omitted.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the vehicles to compensate for lateral forces in cornering a

Actuator and have a control that allow an inclination of the vehicle parallel to the longitudinal axis. Vehicles with narrow width or with a small distance of the wheels have a limited security against lateral tilting in curves and crosswind, especially if the passengers should sit upright and comfortable and thus the center of gravity of the loaded vehicle is relatively high. The advantageous tilt kinematics, which allows rotation about an axis parallel to the direction of travel so that in each Driving condition the remaining tilting moment is almost zero or disappears, ensures a high road safety. Ideally one

Vehicle with such tilting kinematics three or preferably four wheels.

In a vehicle with four wheels is preferably a four-wheel steering

provided, wherein the vehicle can preferably drive both forward and backward at the same speed and the same autonomous vehicle guidance. The occupants sit opposite such a vehicle, whereby by the

Tilting transverse forces are eliminated, so the danger of a

Travel illness is also minimized for the reversing. The fact that the vehicle direction does not satisfy any preferred direction and that the self-propelled vehicle can travel forwards in both directions at the same speed, no turning maneuvers are required to reverse the direction of travel, allowing a fast integration of the self-propelled vehicle in the traffic during threading.

It is preferably provided that the self-propelled vehicles are electrically driven, wherein it has proved to be advantageous that the electric drive motors are arranged in the wheel hubs of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the self-propelled four-wheeled vehicle, four electric wheel hub motors are provided and are electrically powered. The required batteries are located in the chassis between the wheels and below the seats, so that there is a flat bottom between them, which is at the curb level, so that a virtually ground-level access from the sidewalk is made possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the self-propelled vehicle is provided that the vehicles have opposite seats, wherein the seats are preferably spaced such that between the opposite seats space for transporting luggage is arranged. Preferably, the vehicles have a chassis and a split body structure, wherein the

Body parts are longitudinally displaceable, so that when opposing moving the body parts creates an opening for entry and exit of people. In other words, the self-propelled vehicles consist of a chassis with a flat floor between the wheels and the passenger seats are located at the respective ends of the chassis. Of the

Body construction is elevated in the middle and consists of two halves, the

Actuatorically be moved apart in the longitudinal direction and thus release an opening in the middle, which allows the boarding and exit of the occupants. Alternatively swing doors or sliding doors are provided on both sides of the chassis, which always open on the right side of the vehicle, so that even when it rains, the interior of the vehicle is not wet and the exit on the side facing the sidewalk is possible and the passenger is not in an adjacent lane can get in.

Preferably, the self-propelled vehicle has a padded

Security Traverse, which is attached to a structural part of the vehicle and is preferably automatically transferred to a position in which the crossbar holds an occupant in an accident.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the padded safety traverse is activated by accident early detection, so that the safety crossbar in normal and accident-free traffic does not constitute a hindrance to the passenger. Thus, the padded safety traverse actuation is guided on stable vehicle structures along to each one occupant, the touch is detected by sensors and then the safety traverse is driven a few inches back to a comfortable distance. This Traverse fulfills the task of a waist belt of a seat belt and is equipped in a further preferred embodiment with an air bag. In contrast, a shoulder belt is not required, since there is enough free space in front of each occupant, so that the impact of the head on high longitudinal accelerations due to accidents is ruled out. In addition, the self-propelled vehicles according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a battery replacement system. In a low energy state, the self-propelled vehicles according to the invention initially accept, on request, only travel routes which are also accessible with the battery capacity and automatically drive to a battery replacement station when the value falls below a defined minimum value. Additionally or alternatively, all vehicles in the waiting positions are automatically connected by plug or inductively to the urban grid and act as a battery buffer to compensate for network load fluctuations (control energy) and as emergency generators. Due to the limitation and specialization of the transport system to one each

Downtown area is an appropriate infrastructure with manageable funds to install.

Preferably, it is provided that the passenger cabin of the vehicle is semi-mirrored, so that the view is free from the inside to the outside, while the view is blocked from outside to inside. As a result, in the comparatively narrow interior of the self-propelled vehicle, a feeling of space that is subjectively perceived to be positive is made possible, because the upper part of the vehicle is largely glazed, so that the occupants have an unobstructed view all around. In order nevertheless to avoid the known heating by solar radiation, the glazing is opaque from the outside by a disposable mirroring. In a further embodiment, additional parts of the glazing with LED, OLED or other displays are provided, which are transparent from the inside and bring in information or advertising. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that on a display on the outer surface of the passenger cabin outwardly directed information and / or advertising is reproduced without obstructing the view of the passenger from the inside out or affect. In addition, it is provided that an inward-looking advertising to the occupant is recorded visually or acoustically adapted to the route. The passenger is made aware, for example, of sights, department stores, restaurants, etc. along which the route passes. In a particular embodiment is This infotainment system also interoperable, so that the passenger gets eg the menu of a restaurant on the route on demand recorded.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a self-propelled

Vehicle, which are essentially related to the delivery of parcels.

According to a first related embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the self-propelled vehicle has a system of individual boxes of different or the same size, each one package

or only the consignment for each contain a customer and are joined together with releasable connection means to a total transport batch.

Preferably, the boxes with a form-locking system of pins and

Recesses releasably connected together. The dimensions of the boxes preferably result in an integer matrix system, so boxes of different sizes can be added to form blocks without gaps and a straight outer contour. In other words, for optimal use of the available

Load volume and to automate the delivery of customers instead of a hold with fixed walls or rigidly defined individual

Subjects proposed a system of different sized boxes, the dimensions of which emerge integer apart and thus become a matrix

to assemble. In the distribution center, after the routes have been determined, the packages are placed in individual, relatively precisely fitting boxes, which are preferably made of plastic inexpensive, and then the boxes are a large overall package (total transport batch)

assembled, with which the loading volume of the vehicle according to the invention can be optimally used. The boxes are on the outside

Recesses that snap into each other when joining the boxes. For large customers, such as mail order companies, can directly packaging in the

appropriate boxes take place, so that a redistribution or

Repackaging is no longer necessary and can be saved. The total package (total transport batch) can thus optimally assembled with an optimizer and the location of each package

Boxes are logged, so that at the destination the appropriate package can be safely assigned.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention it is provided that the boxes have a lid which can be opened via an externally accessible key. Further, the lid is preferably lockable via a gear system in different depths of the box. Thus, the lid has a lock that can be opened with a universal key. This opening operation is performed by a robot arm or xyplotter control mounted on the vehicle once a safety check has been positively completed, that is, after the target customer is uniquely identified and in front of the vehicle. Then the lid of the box and only this lid is opened and the goods can be removed from the customer and possibly acknowledged.

The boxes have on the outer sides of a lid, which is secured by a simple locking. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, this lid can be locked in different depths of the box, for example by a toothing, which is attached to the inner walls of the box and in which a counter-toothing engages in the lid. By a lower position of the lid in the box, the cargo can be secured against rattling.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the lid contains a hollow chamber, which is usable as a further chamber for goods that do not require the entire depth of the boxes, wherein it is preferably provided that a locking system in one direction of rotation together with the lid Hollow chamber unlocked and in the other direction of rotation opens the cover to access. In this particular embodiment, the lid is hollow and has an increased depth, so that the space of the box, which can not always be optimally adapted in depth because of accessibility problem, again in two individual rooms can be divided. In this case, the locking mechanism is executed so that when turning the key to the left of the whole

Hollow body is pulled out and the space below releases and at

Turning right only the lid of the hollow body is opened.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the boxes for transport routes to the end customer and / or transport routes to the dealer and / or the distribution warehouse can be used as packaging, so that outer packaging can be avoided. Specifically, it is provided for an optimal stage of the system that the known outer packaging made of cardboard and the associated liners to secure the goods with Styrofoam foam parts, flakes or other deposits completely disappear and instead the

described boxes are used alone instead of a carton in the reusable process. This means that the manufacturer already packs the goods in the appropriate standard box for shipment to the dealer and thus sends them in a container multi-way system, which can already be stacked on the intermediate transport in a space-economic matrix arrangement.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the boxes contain one or more inflatable chambers, which are inflated after loading the box with the goods to be transported and after closing the lid and are vented when opening the lid, so that the goods against slipping and Rattling is secured. As a result, goods of different sizes and geometries can be fixed in the boxes rattle and damage, because the product is protected by the air bubble from all sides. Thus, the transport is not only safe, but it can be environmentally damaging outer packaging and

Protective packaging, which the end customer also does not dispose of sorted and the customer are annoying, completely eliminated. When opening the box through the

Automates in the vehicle also escapes the air in the protective bladder, so that this noise also makes it clear to the customer that the transport has been reliably protected against impact, dirt and moisture. In favor of a secure assembly of the blocks is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention that the composite blocks are held and secured from a plurality of boxes on a frame and / or a band. The frame and / or the band are locked after wrapping at the ends and the entire package (total transport batch) of several boxes is secured secured to the vehicle.

Preferably, the self-propelled vehicle has a blocking system, in particular for the delivery of parcels, so that the boxes are opened only after a successful proof of identity, in particular after the control of a mobile radio signal, a transponder, an NFC signal (near-field communication), an RFID signal, an input code, a fingerprint scan or a

Eye scan or face scan, for which purpose an input device is arranged on the vehicle, via which the presence of the addressee for accepting the

Delivery is detectable. It is further provided that the customers are informed by means of electronic information such as in particular a text message, an e-mail or app on the planned delivery date, with additional information about an alternative delivery address and the current position of the vehicle are provided. This allows the self-propelled vehicle the

Delivery and receipt of parcels and / or goods at any destination. In other words, after an appointment has been agreed (by e-mail, SMS, telephone, app or other communication channels) with the individual customers, the vehicle will determine an optimal route through a corresponding computer program and coordinate the charging process. The customer is then informed before the arrival of the vehicle in front of the door of the addressee, which in turn can also be done by e-mail, SMS, telephone, app or other communication channels and the customer goes to the vehicle to his package

receive. It must be ensured that the customer has access only and exclusively to his package. This can be ensured if by communicating with his mobile phone and the delivery vehicle by entering a password or code in a vehicle-mounted terminal or by a QR code, NFC (near-field communication) between Mobile phone and vehicle or by RFID scanner, fingerprint scan, transponder or other authentication methods. If the identity is verified positively, access to the relevant package and only to it must be guaranteed. This is achieved by individual boxes with their own access, into which the total loading volume is divided. However, this solution is initially little space Economics, since the package sizes vary widely and thus large boxes often contain only small packages.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to the fact that a simultaneous change of the boxes and the battery of the vehicle is provided. For this purpose, the vehicle is equipped with removable batteries, so that when returning the vehicle in the distribution warehouse not only the empty boxes are exchanged for equipped boxes, but at the same time or

preferably in the same mechanical process, the batteries are exchanged for recharged.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the self-propelled vehicle a

Outdoor camera has that takes pictures of disturbances or misuse or theft attempt photos and / or videos of the environment and forwards the recorded data to a central office, where the recordings can be evaluated and appropriate countermeasures can be initiated.

The immediately following description shows how the overall delivery process with the self-propelled vehicles according to the invention runs:

First, the customer is informed by e-mail, SMS, App, etc., when his order can be delivered and the channel also selects by e-mail, SMS, App, etc., a time interval within which he will be available at the delivery address and accept the delivery.

After these timings and the automatic route selection after

Efficiency criteria will be optimal in a computer logistics program Inventory designed. The corresponding boxes are joined together and the vehicle is loaded together with charged batteries.

The vehicle drives autonomously and, because of the narrow track width, can quickly roll through the traffic and stop at the edge of the road at any time, rolling along close to the edge without having to re-engage, when delivery addresses are close together. In a particular embodiment, the vehicle travels both forwards and backwards, so that it is always ensured that the customer can receive his goods on the side facing the sidewalk.

Shortly before arriving at the respective destination, the customer is informed again by e-mail, text message, app or the like and called at the final arrival at the destination in front of the door of the customer to the vehicle. For this purpose, the vehicle waits for a set period of time, before it is the next in case of non-arrival of the customer

Delivery and noted the delivery process as "not found".

After checking the access authorization electronically, by data radio, by QR, by key code or the like, the robot arm is set in motion and opens the corresponding lid of the box and the customer removes his goods.

In special cases, he can also place a consignment with a separate request. To do this, the system assigns a matching box of the size that is free and required. The data protocol of this shipment is also the same as the removal by mobile phone or keyboard in the terminal.

The vehicle according to the invention is designed in a preferred embodiment with a flat, low-lying floor between the wheels and has a middle bulkhead, which divides the vehicle in full height in two halves. The assembled boxes are placed to the right and left of this frame. On top of the bulkhead is the robot arm, which can be swung to the left or right and on which a gripper with key for the Lid is in radially variable position, so that the position for opening the lid for each box can be approached. As an alternative to a robot arm, a vertical or horizontal axis can be used with a linear guide as a guide of the mechanism for opening the lid.

Overall, it should be noted that the self-propelled vehicles according to the invention are specialized in use in inner city traffic, wherein the

Maximum speed is limited to 70-80 km / h and with which both the

Cartography, the central control, the car-to-car communication and the power supply locally designed for a limited area and thus considerably reduced in effort.

The vehicles defined in this way travel completely autonomously and are not in individual possession and thus represent a new mobility class, which closes the gap between individual traffic and public or collective traffic.

The size of the vehicles according to the invention is optimized according to the occupancy statistics, which shows that 1, 1 to 1, 3 people are on average on board. Thus, the inventive self-propelled vehicle is designed for two people, so that more than 96% of all transport tasks can be done with the self-propelled vehicles.

The degree of utilization of these vehicles, which remain in uninterrupted on-call service, is then well over 70%, in contrast to the car with 5%. Need for parking space and parking search traffic are thus a thing of the past.

In short-haul traffic, the shares and thus the importance of entry and exit are much higher, so that this share of use is of particular importance.

From the conventional taxis in inner-city operation is known that the operation of the traffic is adversely affected by the fact that the inputs and Getting out of the passengers a lane is blocked and thus the subsequent traffic is dammed. Since the billing with receipt and transfer of luggage from the trunk requires a relatively long time, these processes are proportionally a heavy burden on the flow of traffic.

So that when entering no lane is blocked, the self-propelled vehicle according to the invention is preferably a narrow single-track vehicle. The vehicle thus provides space for two people sitting opposite each other, as well as space for two suitcases in the carry-on format of the airlines, which can be parked between the people on the ground. A cumbersome access to a separate

Trunk deleted so what is associated with the aforementioned advantages.

3. Control Procedure

According to the control method according to the invention, it is provided that a person can request a self-propelled vehicle, preferably by mobile phone, so that an optimization and management program calculates the journey as an interface between the on-board unit and the central computer. In this case, the current location of the requesting person is preferably recognized and taken into account in the determination of the route. Depending on the route, it is determined whether the battery of the vehicle has to be charged and / or changed beforehand. After the journey is preferably provided that the vehicle in

Depending on the time of day, the day of the week, the construction site and / or the special event, the ideal waiting position is approached until the

self-driving vehicle is requested again. In order to prevent persons other than the requesting person from using the requested vehicle, it is preferably provided that the booked vehicle be released by the requesting person by means of identification.

In other words, the inventive control method solves the problems underlying the invention by the call for the vehicle, the booking and the communication, which destination is to be controlled by mobile Phone is done. Ideally, the location of the passenger is automatically communicated when booking by GPS, the fastest available vehicle is determined with the central control, the estimated time of arrival is returned, the customer can continue to move on foot, since now

requested vehicle constantly watching its location. So that the booked vehicle can not be taken away by third parties, the doors open only when the requesting person has been identified by mobile phone.

The billing for the completed journey is also made automatically at the destination via mobile phone, so that the turnaround time is comparatively short. The entry and exit takes place in the middle of the vehicle, with the vehicle halves of the upper body parts move forward and rear actuator, so that the passengers can sit upright from the seat to the full standing height and get out easily. The narrow design allows depending on the situation in traffic Ausbzw. Entry to the left or right, in both cases with only one step, so that the lateral slides to be observed in the usual taxis over the back seat to the side of the sidewalk is eliminated. The luggage does not have to be lifted over loading sill, but is barrier-free on the vehicle floor in

Pavement height.

The use of the mobility system by the requesting person is done according to the following scheme:

The passenger opens special software on the mobile phone (app) and enters his destination or retrieves it from his database. Thus, a call to the central office or the central computer is automatically activated, his phone number, his location and his credit are identified and the next free self-driving vehicle and its travel time to accommodate the requesting person and the travel time to the destination and the fare will be calculated and the requesting person transmitted. It also determines whether the electrical energy in the selected vehicle is sufficient to complete the entire journey. The selected self-propelled vehicle then sets in motion and finds the requesting person who can change its location while doing so, so that the requesting person does not have to wait for example, unattractive positions. As soon as the requested vehicle has reached the passenger's location, a message is sent to the mobile phone and, in parallel, a signal outside the vehicle. The vehicle stops near the person requesting and opens the body after identification. Alternatively, the identity of the requesting person within the requested vehicle may be checked and any unauthorized occupants may be rejected

self-driving vehicle denied the ride. This avoids the "tax robbery" common in New York, for example.

The self-propelled vehicle now drives forward or backward, depending on the location of the destination, and manages autonomously into traffic. The route is optimized and regularly monitored both by the on-board unit and by the central computer.

Upon reaching the destination, the self-propelled vehicle according to the invention stops at the roadside without blocking a lane and opens the exit, so that the person can leave the vehicle on the side of the sidewalk. The

Billing for the completed trip receives the person via his mobile phone bill home. As a performance document, for example, the GPS motion protocol can be used. After leaving the vehicle, a photo of the vehicle interior is automatically taken with a wide-angle lens and archived in order to hold in the event of vandalism or other contamination, the responsible person liable.

Finally, the self-propelled vehicle either to the next customer or battery change or to a stop position, which has a charging plug or is controlled in the urban area of the central software distributed so that statistically seen driving time to the expected demand depending on time, season, trade show or other local Boundary conditions are minimal. 4. Conclusion

As a result, arise by the inventive traffic system, the

inventive self-propelled vehicle and the inventive

Control system of a transport system has significant advantages in

Cost / usage ratio, because

- the use of existing traffic areas or their

Transport performance indicator (persons km / h) is increased up to a factor of 7,

- after adapting the traffic routes to this system, which is associated with very low investment costs, including parking spaces and

One-way streets can be adapted and converted to bidirectional road surfaces,

- traffic lights can be better optimized,

- the degree of utilization of the vehicles increases by a multiple and thus reduce the specific capital commitment costs analogously,

- increases the service life of the vehicles and thus reduces depreciation costs by a factor of 3 to 4,

- the direct vehicle costs because of the specialization and the so

achieved reduction of the effort and the unused or rarely used property can be significantly reduced,

- the service costs drop significantly,

- the energy costs, the use of energy and the environmental impact clearly

fall,

- the multiple use of the battery as a drive of vehicles and as

Network balance significantly improves the cost efficiency and

- The cost of the energy for air conditioning can be significantly reduced, because the interior of the vehicles according to the invention is mirrored to the outside. In addition to cost reduction, significant benefits in terms of environmental impact and comfort, because

- the local emissions on the vehicle are completely eliminated,

- the emissions in the power plants are not relevant but due to the temporal decoupling of energy demand and time of charging the charging processes are fed almost completely and with renewable energy,

- the contributions of vehicle batteries to the grid balance improve the eco and ecosystem balance,

- local heat and noise emissions are eliminated,

- Road safety is increased and

- eliminating the time and space needed for car park search traffic and significantly improving transport comfort by combining the benefits of collective mobility with the benefits of individual mobility.

Concrete embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the figures. Show

Fig. 1 a, b is a self-propelled vehicle for passenger transport without

Body,

Fig. 2a-c a self-propelled vehicle for passenger transport with

Body,

Fig. 3a-c a self-propelled vehicle for package transport and

Fig. 4a-c boxes for receiving the package.

A central component of the present invention relates to the self-propelled vehicle, which drives autonomously in a fleet of self-propelled vehicles in the context of the present traffic system and is designed to transport people and / or parcels. Fig. 1 a, b and 2a-c show such a self-propelled vehicle 1, which is designed for the transport of persons. For this purpose, the vehicle 1 has a chassis 2 with a flat bottom 3, on the two opposite seats 4, 4 'are arranged, and a frame structure 5, which can be configured for safety reasons and precaution as a roll bar. The illustrated self-propelled vehicles 1 have four wheels 6a-6d, which are arranged below and laterally offset from the seats 4, 4 '. While the space 7 between the seats is designed as a luggage storage surface, electronic units (not shown) are arranged below the seats 4, 4 ', in particular the on-board unit, accumulators, control units and the like. Also not shown are the electric wheel hub motors, which are designed so that the self-propelled vehicle forward and backward, so in the direction of arrow 8, 8 'can drive.

FIG. 1 b shows the same vehicle 1 with a person 9 sitting on a seat.

2a-c show the same vehicle 1 with a body 20, which consists of two mutually in the direction of arrow 21, 21 'displaceable Karosseriehälften 22, 22'. For entry and exit of persons, the body halves 22, 22 'are moved outwards and thus open the passenger compartment. Alternatively, a conventional door can be provided, from which the passengers can emerge from the body and thus the self-propelled vehicle. The flat bottom 3 of the vehicle 1 and the preferred total height of the vehicle of about 1, 8 m allows easy access. In order to provide a pleasant indoor climate within the passenger compartment, not only an air conditioner is provided, but the glazing of the body 20 is configured mirrored to the outside. In addition, the outside of the body 20 is at least partially designed as a display, for example, to reproduce advertising information.

The self-propelled vehicle 1 is designed with a track width of less than 1, 2 m and is therefore one of the so-called single-track vehicles. In order to enable safe cornering despite the preferred height of approximately 1.8 m, even at comparatively high speeds in the inner-city area (maximum 70-80 km / h), a tilting technique is provided which controls the self-propelled vehicle 1 as a function of the instantaneous speed and the leading curve to the Turning inside corners to tilt. Fig. 2c shows the self-propelled vehicle 1 therefore with an inclination of about 75 ° relative to a horizontal H.

The self-propelled vehicle 1 is designed not only for passenger transport, but also for autonomous parcel delivery and other deliveries of goods such as food or pizza taxi etc. FIGS. 3a-c show a self-propelled vehicle 1 with the wheels capable of tilting and steering, two blocks 30, 30 'consisting of a rigidly connected structure of transport boxes 31, wherein the transport boxes 31 are shown in different sizes by way of example. Further, a robot arm 32 is shown, the means of a universal key the

Opening process of individual boxes after a successful identification of the

Parcel receiver performs.

Figs. 4a-c show a concrete embodiment of a transport box 31, which are releasably connectable to the delivery of goods with other transport boxes 31 and a solid structure. For this purpose, form-fitting elements 41 _a- c and 42 _a- c are provided on the top and bottom of the boxes 31, so that the boxes 31 can be easily plugged together. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 43 is fixed in the box 31 within the box 31 at different depths and hollow, so that the lid 43 space for small too

offers transporting goods. For clarity, in Figs. 4a-c no gear elements for axial securing of the lid and no inflatable air chambers to secure the goods against rattling and

Slipping shown.

Claims

claims

1 . Transport system with a fleet of self-propelled vehicles (1) for

Transport of persons (9) and / or parcels within a demarcated area,

marked by

a vehicle controller having an on-board unit associated with the individual vehicle (1) and a central computer connected to all vehicles (1) of the fleet, the vehicle dynamics of a single vehicle (1) being controlled by the on-board unit and navigation the integration of a single vehicle (1) in traffic is controlled by both the on-board unit and the central computer.

2. Traffic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Vehicles (1) of the fleet are interconnected by a car-to-car communication, preferably only those

Vehicles (1) are connected to each other by a car-to-car communication located within a radius of 100 m of the vehicle.

3. Self-propelled vehicle of a fleet of self-propelled

Vehicles (1) of a transport system for the transport of persons and / or parcels within a demarcated area,

marked by

a vehicle controller having an on-board unit associated with the self-propelled vehicle (1) and a connection to a central computer connected to all self-propelled vehicles (1) of the fleet, the vehicle dynamics (1) being controlled by the on-board unit; navigation and integration of the vehicle (1) into traffic is controlled by both the on-board unit and the central computer. Self-propelled vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the width of the vehicle (1) is less than 1, 2 m, preferably less than 1, 0 m, so that at least two vehicles (1) can drive in parallel on a lane.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the vehicles (1) for compensating for side forces in cornering an actuator and a controller having a tilt of the vehicle (1) allow parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the vehicle (1) has four wheels (6a-d) and a four-wheel steering, wherein the vehicle (1) preferably both forward and backward at the same speed and the same autonomous vehicle guidance can drive.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the vehicles (1) are electrically driven.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the electric drive motors are arranged in the wheel hubs of the vehicle (1).

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the vehicles (1) have opposite seats (4, 4 '), wherein the seats (4, 4') are preferably spaced such that between the opposite seats (4 , 4 ') space for luggage to be transported is arranged.

10. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the vehicles (1) a chassis (20) and a own split body structure, wherein the body parts (22, 22 ') are displaceable in the longitudinal direction, so that when oppositely moving the body parts (22, 22') an opening for entry and exit of persons (9) is formed.

1 1. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 10,

characterized by a cushioned safety cross-piece which is attached to a structural part of the vehicle (1) and is preferably automatically transferable to a position in which the cross-member holds an occupant in the event of an accident.

12. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the padded safety traverse is activated by an accident early detection.

13. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the vehicles have a battery replacement system.

14. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the replaceable batteries in the charging stations and / or the batteries in the vehicles in times when they are not driving, for grid relief and / or network balance and / or as Emergency generators are available during power outages.

15. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the passenger cabin of the vehicle (1) is half-mirrored, so that the view is free from inside to outside, while the view is blocked from outside to inside.

16. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that on a display on the outer surface of Passenger cabin outwardly directed information and / or advertising is reproduced without obstructing the view of the passenger from the inside out.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by a system of individual boxes (31)

different or equal size, each containing only one package or nu the shipment for each customer and with detachable

Connecting means are combined to form a total transport batch.

18. A self-propelled vehicle according to claim 17, characterized in that the boxes (31) are releasably connected to each other with a form-locking system of pins and recesses.

19. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 or 18,

characterized in that the dimensions of the boxes (31) result in an integer matrix system, so that boxes (31) of different sizes can be added to blocks without gaps and with a straightforward outer contour.

20. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the boxes (31) have a cover (43) which can be opened via an externally accessible key.

21. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the cover (43) can be locked via a toothing system in different depths of the box (31).

22. A self-propelled vehicle according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the lid (43) contains a hollow chamber, which is usable as a further chamber for goods that do not require the entire depth of the boxes (31), wherein it is preferably provided , the existence Locking system in one direction of rotation unlocks the cover (43) including the hollow chamber and in the other direction of rotation opens the lid (43) to access the hollow chamber.

23. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized by an actuator, in particular an automatic mechatronics as a robot arm (32) or as a linear system which opens the lid (43).

24. Selbstfahrendes vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the boxes (31) for transport routes to the end customer and / or transport routes to the dealer and / or for

Delivery warehouses are usable as packaging, so that

Overpacks are avoidable.

25. A self-propelled vehicle according to claim 17, characterized in that the boxes (31) contain one or more inflatable chambers which, after loading the box (31) with the goods to be transported and after closing the lid (43 ) are inflated and vented when opening the lid (43), so that the goods against slides and rattling is secured.

Self-propelled vehicle according to any one of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that the assembled blocks are held and secured by a plurality of boxes (31) via a frame and / or a strap.

27. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 26,

characterized by a locking system, so that the boxes (31) are opened only after a successful proof of identity, in particular after the control of a mobile signal, a transponder, an NFC (Near Field Communication) signal, an RFID signal, a Input code, a fingerprint scan or an eye scan, for this purpose, an input device is arranged on the vehicle, via which the presence of the addressee can be determined to accept the delivery.

28. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 27, characterized in that the customers are informed by means of electronic information such as in particular a text message, an e-mail or app on the planned delivery date, with additional information about an alternative delivery address and about the current position of the vehicle (1) are provided.

29. Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 28, characterized in that the vehicle (1) the delivery and

Receiving of parcels and / or goods at any destination possible.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 29, characterized in that a simultaneous change of the boxes (31) and the battery of the vehicle is provided.

Self-propelled vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 30, characterized by an outdoor camera which takes pictures of disturbances or misuse or attempted theft photos and / or videos of the environment and forwards the recorded data to a central office.

Control system of a traffic system with a fleet of self-propelled vehicles (1) for the transport of persons and / or parcels within a demarcated area,

characterized in that

a person 9 can request a self-propelled vehicle (1) preferably by mobile phone, so that an optimization and Management program as an interface between the onboard unit and the central computer calculates the ride.

Control method according to claim 32, characterized in that the current location of the requesting person (9) is recognized and taken into account in the determination of the route.

Control method according to one of claims 32 or 33, characterized in that the battery of the vehicle (1) is loaded and / or changed depending on the route.

Control method according to one of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that the vehicle (1) after driving in dependence on day and time, day of the week, about existing construction site and / or special event anfährt the ideal waiting position.

Control method according to one of claims 32 to 35, characterized in that the booked vehicle (1) by the requesting person (9) is released by identification.