GB2573383A - Vehicle having a loading device - Google Patents
Vehicle having a loading device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2573383A GB2573383A GB1902801.8A GB201902801A GB2573383A GB 2573383 A GB2573383 A GB 2573383A GB 201902801 A GB201902801 A GB 201902801A GB 2573383 A GB2573383 A GB 2573383A
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- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- delivery
- loading
- freight
- robots
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000005457 optimization Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical class [H]* 0.000 description 2
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012549 training Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003915 liquefied petroleum gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/083—Shipping
- G06Q10/0833—Tracking
Abstract
The invention relates to a vehicle (1) for receiving a number n ≤ N of delivery robots (50) into a cargo space (10) of the vehicle (1), wherein N is the maximum number of delivery robots (50) that can be held in the cargo space (10) and n is the number of delivery robots (50) currently present in the cargo space (10). The vehicle has the following: a fastening device (12) for automatically individually fastening N delivery robots (50) in the cargo space (10), a communication interface (14) for the communication of the vehicle (1) with the n delivery robots (50), a loading device (30) for automatically loading each of N delivery robots (50) present in the cargo space (10) with freight from a freight storage region (32) of the vehicle (1), and a number N of charging interfaces (16) for individually charging energy stores of the n delivery robots (50) in the cargo space (10).
Description
Vehicle with loading device
The invention concerns a vehicle or method for picking up delivery robots, as well as a system for delivering parcels I freight to a large number of locally distributed recipients with at least one such vehicle. Furthermore, the invention concerns a method for delivering parcels with such a vehicle.
Today, cehicles that are used to deliver parcels and freight to a large number of recipients have a cargo hold to stow the parcels and freight. The delivery of the individual parcels is then carried out manually by a person who removes the parcels from the hold and delivers them to the recipients.
The task of the invention is to specify a vehicle or a method that enables an improved and faster delivery of parcels/freight. Furthermore, it is a task to specify a method and system for delivering packages/freight to a variety of local recipients with an equivalent vehicle. It should be noted that in the following description the terms package and freight are used synonymously. Freight/parcel in the present case basically includes all transportable objects, especially those which can be transported by a delivery robot which can be accommodated in a vehicle in accordance with the invention.
The invention results from the characteristics of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.
A first aspect of the invention concerns a vehicle or method for picking up a number n < N of delivery robots in a hold of the vehicle, where N is the maximum number of delivery robots that can be picked up in the hold and n is the number of delivery robots currently present in the hold. The vehicle comprising: a fixing device for automatically individually fixing N delivery robots in the hold, a communication interface for the vehicle to communicate with the n delivery robots, an assembly device for automatically loading each of the N delivery robots present in the hold with a load from a freight storage area of the vehicle, and a number N of loading interfaces for individually charging energy stores of the n delivery robots in the hold.
The vehicle is preferably a truck, small van, van, delivery van or bus. However, the vehicle can also be a passenger car, rail vehicle, watercraft (e.g. ship), underwater vehicle or aircraft.
The term delivery robot is understood in the present case to mean in particular a selfdriving delivery robot, a self-flying delivery robot (drone), a self-controlling floating vehicle, etc..
In particular, the freight is first loaded into a vehicle's freight storage.
The loading of the freight storage is advantageously automated via an interface to the freight storage. This freight storage can have individual compartments (e.g. shelves). Preferably, the loading of the n delivery robots present in the vehicle by the loading device can take place while the vehicle is stationary and/or while the vehicle is in motion.
In accordance with an advantageous design, the loading device of the vehicle is also designed and equipped for the automatic unloading of freight from N delivery robots present in the hold into the cargo storage area. This makes it possible, for example, to automatically unload the freight of delivery robots that return to the vehicle with a freight automatically from a customer into the freight storage area of the vehicle.
According to another advantageous design, the loading device of the vehicle comprises a storage and retrieval machine with which freight is picked from a rack system arranged in the freight storage area for a respective delivery robot and/or unloaded from a delivery robot into the rack system.
It is advantageous that several of the delivery robots can be loaded with freight at the same time using the loading device.
The energy storage devices of the delivery robots are advantageous electrical energy storage devices, i.e. accumulators. These are charged by applying an electric current with a certain voltage, preferably by direct current. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery robots can be driven by combustion engines, so that the energy storage units are advantageous fuel tanks in this case. The following fuels can be considered: petrol, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, etc.
The loading space of the vehicle can preferably be accessible from the rear of the vehicle and/or from one side of the vehicle. In particular, the load compartment of the vehicle can be located behind and separated from a driver's cab. Access to the vehicle's loading space can be controlled and automatically opened and closed.
The delivery robots are advantageously designed and set up in such a way that they are controlled and checked automatically, advantageously completely autonomously, i.e.
without direct control by a human operator. The delivery robots are therefore equipped in particular with a positioning and navigation system, as well as with a robot guidance computer, which takes over the control of the robot. The delivery robots can thus move autonomously from one position to another (e.g. the address of a parcel recipient) and return again. The robot guidance computer is provided with a current (2D-/3D-) route guidance on the basis of which the delivery robots are controlled. The delivery robots are advantageously equipped with a sensor system for recording the current environment, as well as an evaluation unit for evaluating the recorded environmental data with regard to existing obstacles. The data is also used advantageously to control the delivery robot.
The vehicle is equipped, in accordance with the invention, with a fixing device to hold the picked up and carried delivery robots in the hold in a certain position, even if acceleration due to travel occurs. In accordance with an advantageous design, the vehicle's fixing device is also designed to fix delivery robots already loaded with freight. This is an advantage when it comes to fixing loaded and thus more massive delivery robots. The automatic fixation device can have a mechanical fixation, for example by engaging fixation hooks, by an automatic fixation by belts, etc.
In accordance with an advantageous design, the fixing device has one or more inflatable units which serve to fix the delivery robots. The fixing of the delivery robots is done by a mechanical clamping at the respective position in the vehicle by means of the inflated units. The inflatable units can be filled with a liquid and/or gaseous medium or the liquid or gaseous medium can be released from the units, whereby in the inflated state of the units, the unit is filled with the respective medium. The fixing device can comprise one or more individual, for example cushion-shaped inflatable units for each delivery robot. Alternatively, several delivery robots can be fixed in the hold, for example with an inflatable unit with an advantageous mattress shape. The inflatable units attach themselves to the respective outer contours of the delivery robots for fixing in the inflated state, so that differently shaped delivery robots can be fixed with similar reliability. In other words, the inflatable units are not tied to a specific construction or outer contour of the delivery robot in order to fix it reliably in the loading space of the vehicle.
The inventive communication interface is used for communication between the vehicle and the delivery robots in order to transmit information between the vehicle and the delivery robots. The vehicle's communication interface uses a Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, UMTS, or LTE connection for this purpose.
In an advantageous design, the delivery robots communicate at least one of the following states of a respective delivery robot to the vehicle via the communication interface:
- Loading condition of the respective delivery robot,
- Type of freight (e.g. post/pareel/registration etc.) of the respective delivery robot,
- Identification of the respective freight,
- Position of the respective delivery robot,
- Delivery address reached,
- Available operating energy of the respective delivery robot,
- Error message of the respective delivery robot.
It is advantageous to provide each freight with a unique identifier for identification purposes, for example in the form of a readable RFID chip. This means that the current location of each freight until it is delivered to a recipient can be recorded and communicated to the vehicle.
In another advantageous design, the vehicle communicates via the communication interface at least one of the following information to one or more or all of the n delivery robots:
- Start signal for autonomous unloading of the respective delivery robot(s),
- Delivery address to be controlled by the respective delivery robot,
- Type of handover (storage of cargo with/without interaction with the recipient)
- Parking position in vehicle reached,
- Start of a charging process with energy.
This communication serves to provide the respective delivery robot, for example, with all the information required for delivery of the respective parcel or freight to a recipient. In addition, operational information, such as completion of an automatic unloading process of the delivery robot from the vehicle, start of an automatic loading process of the delivery robot on the vehicle, reaching a parking position of the delivery robot in the vehicle, start of an automatic charging process with energy, etc. can be provided from the vehicle to the respective delivery robot. Based on this information received from the vehicle, automatic control routines can, for example, be started in the respective delivery robot.
The vehicle also has an advantageous communication interface with a control centre. Via this interface, some or all of the information available in the vehicle, for example on the condition of the vehicle, on the condition of the delivery robots, etc., can be advantageously transmitted from the vehicle to the control centre. In addition, information, such as changes to the route of the vehicle, changes to freight-specific data, in particular the recipient data of a freight, etc., can be transmitted from the control centre to the vehicle.
The above-mentioned N charging interfaces of the vehicle enable an individual automatic charging of energy storage devices of the delivery robots in the loading space of the vehicle in order to supply the delivery robots with new energy or to recharge them, especially during a journey of the vehicle. The energy transferred to the delivery robots via the charging interfaces can be transferred in particular in the form of electrical energy and/or fuels (petrol, diesel, liquid hydrogen, liquid gas, etc.). The energy storage devices of the delivery robots are correspondingly accumulators or containers for receiving liquid or gaseous fuels. According to another advantageous design, the charging interfaces transfer energy to the delivery robots according to an inductive principle. Here, a constantly changing electromagnetic field is generated from an electrical energy source, which triggers an induction current in the receiver, which is used to charge an accumulator of a delivery robot in particular. A contactless charging of an accumulator can thus be realized advantageously. The loading interfaces are advantageously designed and set up in such a way that, as soon as a delivery robot has taken up a designated position in the loading space of the vehicle and, for example, a release has been given for the start of autonomous loading, the loading process begins and, if necessary, a mechanical contact between the vehicle and the delivery robot is automatically established via the loading interface.
According to another advantageous design, the charging interfaces have a mechanical interface for transmitting electrical energy to a delivery robot, which can autonomously establish an electrical contact between the delivery robot and one of the charging interfaces. The loading process of the delivery robots is advantageous without the intervention of an operator, i.e. autonomously possible.
According to another advantageous design, the vehicle has a loading space optimization system with optical sensors to detect the delivery robots present in the loading space, whereby the loading space optimization system controls the positioning of the delivery robots in the loading space via the communication interface. The loading space optimization system comprises an image evaluation processor to determine the current positioning of the delivery robots and a control unit that communicates with and can control the delivery robots in the loading space via the communication interface. The vehicle thus benefits from information on the number and position of the delivery robots in the vehicle's loading space, which makes it possible to control, check and optimise the loading space in particular.
According to a further advantageous design, the vehicle has a device for detecting and communicating at least one of the following states in the vehicle:
- Loading of the vehicle with delivery robots (this refers to the loading process),
- Unloading the delivery robots from the vehicle (this refers to the unloading process),
- Status of the loading device (number of packages, free spaces for loading packages, etc.)
- Number n of delivery robots already loaded in the vehicle,
- Number F = N - n of the free receiving places for delivery robots in the vehicle,
- Information about a route to be driven by the vehicle,
- Information about a target position to be driven to by the vehicle,
- Error messages from the vehicle.
This information shall be used to record an operational state of the vehicle in order to transmit it to a driver of the vehicle and/or to forward it to a control centre. This information can still be used in the vehicle or in the control centre to determine operational delays of the vehicle compared to a previously provided delivery schedule.
According to another advantageous design, the loading space of the vehicle has different levels for receiving the delivery robots. This enables an optimised use of the loading space.
According to another advantageous design, the loading space of the vehicle is designed to accommodate pallets already equipped with delivery robots. The pallets are advantageously designed in such a way that they fit into a drawer system in the hold. The pallets have an advantageous size that corresponds approximately to the floor area of the loading space, so that the number of inserted pallets equals the number of levels equipped with delivery robots in the loading space.
According to another advantageous design, the vehicle is equipped with a device for automatic loading and/or unloading of the delivery robots into/from the loading space. Depending on the type of delivery robot and vehicle, this may include a controllable ramp and/or a controllable lifting system and/or a take-off and landing platform and/or a docking and landing interface.
According to another advantageous design, the device for automatic loading and unloading of the vehicle is controlled by a control system of the vehicle depending on a manual input of a driver of the vehicle or automatically depending on the reaching of predetermined delivery positions.
According to another advantageous design, the vehicle has a warning device with which an acoustic and/or visual warning signal for an environment of the vehicle can be emitted before and/or during loading and/or unloading of the loading space. Here the vehicle has at least one electroacoustic transducer (loudspeaker, horn, etc.) and/or one or more light sources, an optical scoreboard, etc.
The proposed vehicle will allow a more efficient delivery of freight to the recipient. In particular, the proposed vehicle will allow parallel delivery of parcels to recipients.
Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of delivering parcels by vehicle, as described above, to a variety of locally distributed receivers in an environment of a location 02, using the following steps.
In one step, the freight storage area is loaded with freight. In a further step, automatic order picking and loading of a number m of the n delivery robots is carried out with one freight each, with m < n <N. In a further step, the vehicle is driven to a location 02. In a further step, at least one of the delivery robots loaded with one freight each is automatically unloaded at the 02 location, whereby this delivery robot then travels autonomously from the 02 location to a predefined delivery address, delivers the freight and returns autonomously to the 02 location. In a further step, this delivery robot is autonomously loaded into the loading space of the vehicle.
To load the vehicle or the freight storage area, the vehicle is provided at a location 01 (e.g. a freight centre). The freight storage area is then preferably automatically loaded with freight at location 01. The vehicle's loading device then automatically loads freight, preferably autonomously, into delivery robots available in the vehicle. For this purpose, the delivery robots are either already present in the loading space of the vehicle or are advantageously fully or partially automated at location 01 and autonomously loaded into the loading space of the vehicle. The vehicle then drives from the location 01 to a location 02. Some or all of the recipient addresses of the freight are conveniently located in the vicinity of 02. One or more delivery robots leave the loading area of the vehicle and automatically control the respective recipient of their freight, deliver the freight, and in turn control the vehicle automatically in order to reach the loading area of the vehicle automatically. Once there, the respective delivery robot is automatically fixed and, if necessary, charged with energy. Furthermore, the loading device is preferably used to unload freight from delivery robots into the freight storage area of the vehicle.
After the vehicle has delivered or picked up freight on a given route, for example at several locations 02 by means of the delivery robots, the vehicle preferably returns to a freight centre 01 in order to unload freight existing in the freight storage area to the freight centre and, if necessary, pick up new freight.
Advantages and advantageous further training of the proposed methods result from an analogous and logical transfer of the above remarks made in connection with the vehicle.
Another aspect of the invention concerns a system for delivering parcels to a variety of locally distributed recipients, including at least one vehicle as described above and several delivery robots, each of which is designed to do so:
to receive a freight, automatically enter and leave the hold of the vehicle and, after leaving the hold, autonomously drive to a predetermined delivery address, deliver the freight, autonomously return to the vehicle and autonomously return to the hold.
Advantages and beneficial training of the proposed system result from an analogous and logical transfer of the above remarks made in connection with the vehicle and the proposed methods.
Further advantages, features and details result from the following description, in which at least one example of execution is described in detail, possibly with reference to the drawings. Same, similar end/or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference marks.
Figure Description
Fig. 1 A vehicle for receiving self-driving delivery robots according to an example of the invention,
Fig. 2 A vehicle for picking up self-driving delivery robots according to another example of the invention, and
Fig. 3 A method for delivering packages with a vehicle according to another example of the invention.
The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.
Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 in different views or in different states in each of the subfigures. The loading space 10 of vehicle 1 has a level for receiving the delivery robots 50. In particular, the delivery robots 50 are arranged on pallets. Vehicle 1 is equipped with a device 22 for automatic loading and/or unloading of delivery robots 50 into/from loading space 10. For this purpose, the device 22 for automatic loading and/or unloading is equipped with a controllable ramp and/or a controllable lifting system. This ramp is controlled depending on a manual input of a driver of vehicle 1 or automatically depending on the reaching of predefined delivery positions. If the ramp is actuated and/or if loading and/or unloading of loading space 10 takes place, at least one acoustic warning signal for an environment of vehicle 1 is emitted by a warning device, in particular at the start of loading and/or unloading of loading space 10.
The freight storage area 32 and the loading device 30 are preferably located above the loading space 10 in the interior of the vehicle. Thus, the delivery robots 50, the storage compartment of which is accessible, in particular, from above, for parcels, are practically placed on a height similar to that of the automatic loading and/or unloading device 22.
In particular, vehicle 1 is part of a system for delivering parcels to a large number of locally distributed receivers. The delivery robots 50, which are also part of the system, pick up a load, automatically drive into hold 10 of vehicle 1 and leave it automatically when vehicle 1 has reached a corresponding area where one or more of the recipients assigned to the parcels in the respective delivery robot 50 are located. After leaving hold 10, the delivery robots 50 drive autonomously to a specified delivery address, deliver the freight and return autonomously to vehicle 1 to return autonomously to hold 10 of vehicle 1.
Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b each show a vehicle 1 for picking up a number n of self-driving delivery robots 50 in a hold 10 of vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 has inflatable cushions as a fixing device 12 for automatically fixing the delivery robots 50 individually in hold 10. In Fig. 2a the delivery robots 50 are loaded in the loading space 10 of vehicle 1, but are not yet secured by the fixing device 12, as the cushions are not yet filled with air or any other gas. Fig. 2b, however, shows the cushions of the fixing device 12 in an inflated state, whereby the delivery robots 50 are held in a predetermined position by the fixing device 12 to prevent the delivery robots 50 from moving relative to vehicle 1 during a journey of vehicle 1. In particular, the fixing device 12 is designed in such a way that it can also fix 50 delivery robots already loaded with freight. Furthermore, vehicle 1 has a communication interface 14 for the vehicle 1 to communicate with the n delivery robots 50. The communication interface 14 communicates at least the following states with at least one of the n delivery robots 50 to vehicle 1: loading state of the respective delivery robot 50, type of loading of the respective delivery robot 50, the position of the respective delivery robot 50, the state delivery address reached upon occurrence of the respective event, available operating power of the respective delivery robot 50 and any error messages. The communication interface 14 preferably uses a local WLAN for connection to the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the communication interface 14 communicates the following information from vehicle 1 to at least one of the n delivery robots 50: start signal for autonomous unloading of the respective delivery robot 50, the delivery address to be driven to by the respective delivery robot 50, type of transfer, the status Parking position in vehicle 1 reached and the status Start charging process with electrical energy. For charging batteries of the delivery robot 50, a number N of charging interfaces 16 for individual charging of the n delivery robot 50 is available in the loading space 10 of vehicle 1. The charging interfaces 16 transmit the electrical energy according to an inductive principle. This induction current, which is generated by time-varying electromagnetic fields, charges the batteries of the delivery robots 50. A mechanical interface for transmitting electrical energy to a delivery robot 50 is available for this purpose, which can autonomously establish an electrical contact between the delivery robot 50 and one of the charging interfaces 16. A loading space optimization system 18 also uses optical sensors, preferably one or more cameras, to detect those n delivery robots 50 that are located in loading space 10 of vehicle 1. The information as to which receiving stations for delivery robot 50 in vehicle 1 are already occupied is forwarded to vehicle 1 by the loading space optimization system 18 to a computer of vehicle 1, whereby the loading space optimization system 18 controls a positioning of the delivery robot 50 in loading space 10 via the communication interface
14. The delivery robots 50 are thus given a command as to which of the respective receiving stations the respective delivery robot 50 is to take. From the number n of already loaded delivery robots 50 in vehicle 1, the information about the loading of vehicle 1 with delivery robots 50, the information about the unloading of vehicle 1 by delivery robots 50, the number F = N - n of the free reception places for delivery robots 50 in vehicle 1 and information about a route to be driven by vehicle 1 with the corresponding target positions to be driven to by vehicle 1, a delivery process can be optimized. This information shall in particular be provided by a device 20 for the collection and communication of such information. A loading device 30 automatically loads the delivery robots 50 present in loading space 10 with one freight each from a freight storage area 32 of vehicle 1, especially during a journey of vehicle 1. Furthermore, the loading device 30 has a storage and retrieval machine. The storage and retrieval machine is responsible in particular for loading the delivery robots 50 with freight from the freight storage area 32. For this purpose, the rack system has various levels in which the freight is stored in order to be picked for a respective delivery robot 50 and/or unloaded into the rack system by a delivery robot 50.
Fig. 3 shows a method of delivering packets with a vehicle 1 to a plurality of locally distributed receivers in an environment of a location 02. In a first step SI of the method, a freight storage area 32 is loaded with freight. In a second step, S2, automatic picking and loading of a number m of the n delivery robots 50 each with one freight takes place, whereby the following applies: m < n. In a third step S3, the vehicle 1 travels to a location 02, wherein in a fourth step S4 the automated unloading of at least one of the delivery robots 50, each loaded with a freight, takes place at the location 02, wherein this delivery robot 50 then travels autonomously from the location 02 to a predetermined delivery address, delivers the freight and returns autonomously to the location 02. In a final fifth step, S5, this delivery robot 50 is autonomously loaded into loading space 10 of vehicle 1.
Although the invention was illustrated and explained in detail by preferred examples of execution, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the skilled person without leaving the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are really only examples which are not to be understood in any way as limiting the scope of protection, the application possibilities or the configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description and the figure description enable the skilled person to concretely implement the exemplary forms of execution, whereby the skilled person, being aware of the disclosed idea of invention, can make numerous changes, for example with regard to the function or arrangement of individual elements named in an exemplary form of execution, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal correspondences, such as further explanations in the description.
Claims (15)
1. A vehicle (1) for receiving a number η < N of delivery robots (50) into a loading space (10) of the vehicle (1), wherein N is the number of maximum receivable delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10) and n is the number of delivery robots (50) currently present in the loading space (10), the vehicle comprising:
- a fixing device (12) for automatically individually fixing N delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10),
- a communication interface (14) for the vehicle (1) to communicate with the n delivery robots (50),
- a loading device (30) for automatically loading N delivery robots (50) present in the loading space (10) with a respective freight from a freight storage region (32) of the vehicle (1), and
- a number N of charging interfaces (16) for individually charging energy stores of the n delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10).
2. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the loading device (30) comprises a shelf operating device with which freight is picked from a shelf system arranged in the freight storage area (32) for a respective delivery robot (50) and the latter is loaded and/or freight is automatically unloaded from a delivery robot (50) into the shelf system.
3. The vehicle (1) according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the communication interface (14) communicates at least one of the following states of a respective one of the n delivery robots (50) to the vehicle (1):
- Loading condition of the respective delivery robot,
- Type of loading of the respective delivery robot,
- Position of the respective delivery robot,
- Delivery address reached,
- Available operating energy of the respective delivery robot,
- Error messages.
4. The vehicle according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein a security device is provided in the cargo storage area to secure/fix the cargo present in the cargo storage area.
5. The vehicle (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication interface (14) communicates at least one of the following information from the vehicle (1) to one or more of all of the n delivery robots (50):
- Start signal for autonomous unloading of the respective delivery robot,
- Delivery address to be driven to by the respective delivery robot (50),
- Type of transfer,
- Parking position in vehicle (1) reached,
- Start charging with electrical energy.
6. The vehicle (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5,
Comprising a loading space optimization system (18) with optical sensors for detecting the delivery robots (50) present in the loading space (10), wherein the loading space optimization system (18) controls a positioning of the delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10) via the communication interface (14).
7. The vehicle (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a device (20) for detecting and communicating at least one of the following states in the vehicle (1):
- Loading the vehicle (1) with delivery robots (50),
- Unloading the delivery robots (50) from the vehicle (1),
- Status of the loading device (30),
- Number n of delivery robots (50) already loaded in the vehicle (1),
- Number F = N - n of the free receiving places for delivery robots (50) in the vehicle (1),
- Information on a route to be taken by the vehicle (1),
- Information about a target position to be driven to by the vehicle (1),
- Error messages.
8. The vehicle (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7,
Wherein the fixing device (12) comprises one or more inflatable units for fixing the delivery robots (50).
9. A method for delivering packages with a vehicle (1) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 8 to a plurality of locally distributed receivers in the surroundings of a location 02, comprising the following steps:
- Loading (SI) the freight storage area (32) with freight,
- Automatic picking (S2) and loading of a number m of the n delivery robots (50) each with one freight, with m < n,
- Driving (S3) the vehicle (1) to a location 02,
- Automated unloading (S4) of at least one of the delivery robots (50), each loaded with a freight, at location 02, this delivery robot (50) then travelling autonomously from location 02 to a predetermined delivery address, delivering the freight and returning autonomously to location 02, and
- Autonomous loading (S5) of this delivery robot into the loading space (10) of the vehicle (1).
10. A method for picking up a number η < N of delivery robots (50), in particular with a vehicle according to one of the claims 1 to 8, into a loading space (10) of a vehicle (1), wherein N is the number of maximum picked-up delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10) and n is the number of delivery robots (50) currently present in the loading space (10):
- Automatic and individual fixing of N delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10) by a fixing device (12),
- Communicating of the vehicle (1) with the n delivery robots (50) through a communication interface (14),
- Automatic loading of N delivery robots (50) present in the loading space (10) with a respective freight from a freight storage region (32) of the vehicle (1) by a loading device (30)and
- Individual charging of energy stores of the n delivery robots (50) in the hold (10) by a number N of charging interfaces (16).
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the loading device (30) comprises a storage and retrieval machine, with the freight being picked from a rack system arranged in the freight storage area (32) for a respective delivery robot (50) and the latter being loaded and/or freight being automatically unloaded into the rack system by a delivery robot (50) and/or in which a securing device for securing/fixing the freight present in the freight storage area is present in the freight storage area and/or the securing device (12) having one or more inflatable units which serve to fix the delivery robots (50).
12. The method according to any of the claims 10 to 11, wherein the communication interface (14) communicates at least one of the following states of a respective one of the n delivery robots (50) to the vehicle (1):
- Loading condition of the respective delivery robot,
- Type of loading of the respective delivery robot,
- Position of the respective delivery robot,
- Delivery address reached,
- Available operating energy of the respective delivery robot,
- Error messages, and/or wherein the communication interface (14) communicates at least one of the following information from the vehicle (1) to one or more or all of the n delivery robots (50):
- Start signal for autonomous unloading of the respective delivery robot,
- Delivery address to be driven to by the respective delivery robot (50),
- Type of transfer,
- Parking position in vehicle (1) reached,
- Start charging with electrical energy.
13. The method according to any of the claims 10 to 12, comprising a loading space optimization system (18) with optical sensors for detecting the delivery robots (50) present in the loading space (10), the loading space optimization system (18) controlling a positioning of the delivery robots (50) in the loading space (10) via the communication interface (14).
14. The method according to any of the claims 10 to 13, comprising the steps of detecting and communicating at least one of the following states in the vehicle (1):
- Loading the vehicle (1) with delivery robots (50),
- Unloading the delivery robots (50) from the vehicle (1),
- Status of the loading device (30),
- Number n of delivery robots already loaded (50) in the vehicle (1),
- Number F = N - n of the free receiving places for delivery robots (50) in the vehicle (1),
- Information on a route to be taken by the vehicle (1),
- Information about a target position to be driven to by the vehicle (1),
- Error messages.
15. A system for delivering parcels to a plurality of locally distributed recipients comprising at least one vehicle (1) according to claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of delivery robots (50) each configured to:
- receive a freight,
- automatically enter and leave the loading space (10) of the vehicle (1), and
- drive autonomously to a predetermined delivery address after leaving the loading space (10), to deliver the freight, to return autonomously to the vehicle (1) and to return autonomously to the loading space (10).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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| DE102016009573.3A DE102016009573A1 (en) | 2016-08-05 | 2016-08-05 | Vehicle with mounting device |
| PCT/EP2017/069729 WO2018024852A1 (en) | 2016-08-05 | 2017-08-03 | Vehicle having a loading device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| GB201902801D0 GB201902801D0 (en) | 2019-04-17 |
| GB2573383A true GB2573383A (en) | 2019-11-06 |
| GB2573383B GB2573383B (en) | 2022-05-11 |
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| GB1902801.8A Expired - Fee Related GB2573383B (en) | 2016-08-05 | 2017-08-03 | Vehicle with loading device |
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| DE (1) | DE102016009573A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2573383B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2018024852A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
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| US11180253B1 (en) | 2021-03-24 | 2021-11-23 | Brien Aven Seeley | System for fire suppression by autonomous air and ground vehicles |
| US11198519B1 (en) | 2020-08-11 | 2021-12-14 | Brien Aven Seeley | Quiet urban air delivery system |
| US11447269B2 (en) | 2020-08-11 | 2022-09-20 | Brien Aven Seeley | Quiet urban air delivery system |
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| US10514690B1 (en) | 2016-11-15 | 2019-12-24 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Cooperative autonomous aerial and ground vehicles for item delivery |
| US11263579B1 (en) | 2016-12-05 | 2022-03-01 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Autonomous vehicle networks |
| US10310499B1 (en) | 2016-12-23 | 2019-06-04 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Distributed production of items from locally sourced materials using autonomous vehicles |
| US10310500B1 (en) | 2016-12-23 | 2019-06-04 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Automated access to secure facilities using autonomous vehicles |
| US10308430B1 (en) | 2016-12-23 | 2019-06-04 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Distribution and retrieval of inventory and materials using autonomous vehicles |
| DE102018204187A1 (en) | 2018-03-20 | 2019-09-26 | Audi Ag | Delivery robot, system of a delivery robot and a motor vehicle and method for transporting cargo with a delivery robot |
| DE102018206131A1 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2019-10-24 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method of delivery of parcels and / or goods |
| DE102018209068A1 (en) * | 2018-06-07 | 2019-12-12 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Concept for supplying highly automated or autonomous means of transportation |
| DE102018209066B4 (en) * | 2018-06-07 | 2020-06-18 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Concept for supplying highly automated or autonomous means of transportation |
| JP7087972B2 (en) * | 2018-12-04 | 2022-06-21 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Delivery system |
| DE102019208326B4 (en) * | 2019-06-07 | 2022-06-09 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Vehicle with loading space, fastening system and method for fastening cargo in a vehicle |
| DE102020121078A1 (en) | 2020-08-11 | 2022-02-17 | Vorwerk & Co. Interholding Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | System of two household appliances driven by electric motors |
| DE102022100711B4 (en) | 2021-01-13 | 2023-04-20 | Deutsche Bahn Aktiengesellschaft | TRANSPORT DEVICE |
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- 2017-08-03 WO PCT/EP2017/069729 patent/WO2018024852A1/en active Application Filing
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2573383B (en) | 2022-05-11 |
| WO2018024852A1 (en) | 2018-02-08 |
| GB201902801D0 (en) | 2019-04-17 |
| DE102016009573A1 (en) | 2017-11-23 |
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