Reusable container with locking features and tracking capabilities for autonomous delivery of goods
The present disclosure generally relates to reusable containers having a locking feature and geographic location tracking capabilities. In particular, the present disclosure relates reusable containers having a locking feature and geographic location tracking capabilities for autonomous delivery of goods.
1 . An autonomous vehicle based delivery system, the system comprising:
an autonomous vehicle having an autonomous vehicle geographic location device that generates autonomous vehicle location data representative of a geographic location and elevation of the autonomous vehicle; and
a reusable container deployably attached to the autonomous vehicle via an extendable tether configured to lower the reusable container to a delivery location while the autonomous vehicle maintains a desired hovering elevation, wherein the reusable container includes a package locking mechanism and a package geographic location device that generates package location data representative of a geographic location and elevation of the reusable container, wherein an automatic package release mechanism is activated to release goods from the reusable container when a geographic location and elevation of the autonomous vehicle and the reusable container are representative of a predetermined geographic location and elevation.
2 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the autonomous vehicle is an aerial vehicle.
3 . A system as in claim 1 , wherein the reusable container includes a corrugated plastic material.
4 . An autonomous goods delivery system, the system comprising:
a reusable container deployably attached to an autonomous vehicle via an extendable tether configured to lower the reusable container to a delivery location while the autonomous vehicle maintains a desired hovering elevation;
a smart lock that can only be opened by an authorized individual to remove goods from the reusable container; and
a geographic location device that generates package location data representative of a geographic location and elevation of the reusable container, wherein the smart lock is activated to remove the goods from the reusable container when the geographic location and elevation of the reusable container are representative of a predetermined geographic location and elevation.
5 . A system as in claim 4 , wherein the reusable container includes a corrugated, recycled plastic.
6 . A system as in claim 4 , wherein the smart lock can only be opened by the customer or a company employee using a biometric signature selected from the group: a fingerprint or a facial scan.
7 . A system as in claim 4 , wherein the geographic location device includes an integrated shortwave radio tracking device that sends location data to a fleet network.
8 . A system as in claim 4 , wherein the smart lock is configured to deter theft of the goods and delivery driver/vehicle poachers.
9 . An autonomous vehicle based delivery system, the system comprising:
an autonomous vehicle having an autonomous vehicle geographic location device that generates autonomous vehicle location data representative of a geographic location and elevation of the autonomous vehicle;
a reusable container deployably attached to the autonomous vehicle via an extendable tether configured to lower the reusable container to a delivery site, wherein the reusable container includes a package geographic location device that generates package location data representative of a geographic location and elevation of the reusable container; and
a location notification that is activated when goods are removed from the reusable container and at least one of: a geographic location and elevation of the autonomous vehicle, or a geographic location and elevation of the reusable container deviate from a predetermined geographic location and elevation.
10 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein the autonomous vehicle is an aerial vehicle.
11 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein the reusable container includes a corrugated plastic material.
12 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein the reusable container further comprising:
a smart lock that can only be opened by an authorized individual, wherein the smart lock is activated when a geographic location and elevation of the reusable container are representative of a predetermined geographic location and elevation of the reusable container.
13 . A system as in claim 12 , wherein the reusable container is designed for remote delivery of the goods.
14 . A system as in claim 12 , wherein the smart lock can only be opened by the customer or a company employee using a biometric signature selected from the group: a fingerprint or a facial scan.
15 . A system as in claim 12 , wherein the reusable container geographic location device includes an integrated shortwave radio tracking device that sends location data to a fleet network.
16 . A system as in claim 12 , wherein the smart lock is configured to deter theft of the goods and delivery driver/vehicle poachers.
17 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein the location notification is transmitted to a remote device.
18 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein the location notification is transmitted to a customer device.
19 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein a package deployment mechanism is automatically activated when an elevation of the autonomous vehicle and the reusable container are less than a predetermined elevation.
20 . A system as in claim 9 , wherein a package deployment mechanism is automatically activated when an elevation of the autonomous vehicle is less than a predetermined elevation.