Autonomous unmanned road vehicle for making deliveries
View Patent ↗An autonomous unmanned road vehicle and how it can be used to make deliveries. The unmanned vehicle is capable of operating autonomously on paved roadways. The vehicle has a control system for autonomous driving and a perception system for detecting objects in its surroundings. The vehicle also has one or more cargo compartments for carrying the delivery items. The vehicle may have a flashing light beacon to increase the conspicuousness of the vehicle. In consideration that the vehicle does not carry passengers, the size and/or motor power of the vehicle may be reduced as compared to conventional passenger vehicles.
1. A method of transportation using an autonomous unmanned road vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises:
a cargo compartment;
radio communications equipment;
a power source for propelling the vehicle;
an external loudspeaker;
an external microphone;
an external video display screen;
wherein the vehicle does not have any passenger seats;
wherein the vehicle has a wheelbase of at least 60 inches and a dry weight of at least 550 pound;
wherein the vehicle has a total cargo volume of less than 100 cubic feet;
wherein the vehicle is capable of autonomously changing lanes and autonomously making turns at intersections;
Wherein the method comprises:
driving the vehicle, at least partly in an autonomous manner, on a paved roadway to a delivery destination;
remotely monitoring the vehicle through its radio communications equipment while driving the vehicle;
wherein the driving of the vehicle is performed by a combination of human control via remote operation and autonomous control.
2. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the cargo compartment can be opened or unlocked remotely.
3. The transportation method of claim 2 , further comprising remotely opening or unlocking the cargo compartment.
4. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has an external keypad for entering an access code, and the method further comprises allowing access to the cargo compartment upon receiving a correct access code.
5. The transportation method of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle has an external keypad for entering an access code, and the method further comprises allowing access to the cargo compartment upon receiving a correct access code.
6. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises remotely speaking through the vehicle's external loudspeaker or remotely receiving a message through the vehicle's external microphone.
7. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises remotely speaking through the vehicle's external loudspeaker.
8. The transportation method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a condition of the vehicle for a technical problem.
9. The transportation method of claim 8 , wherein detection of the technical problem is performed by a combination of human and autonomous control.
10. The transportation method of claim 8 , wherein a response to the technical problem is performed by a combination of human and autonomous control.
11. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein remote operation of the vehicle is performed by a person having a driver's license in the state where the vehicle is being operated.
12. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises an illuminated license plate.
13. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the power source is an electric power source, and wherein the vehicle further comprises:
an electric motor for propelling the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is propelled by electric motor(s) only, and if the vehicle has: (a) only a single electric motor, the rated maximum horsepower of the electric motor is greater than 25 hp; or (b) multiple electric motors, the rated maximum horsepower of each electric motor is greater than 20 hp.
14. The transportation method of claim 10 , wherein the response is to travel to a base facility or to park itself.
15. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle does not travel on the roadway at a speed faster than 45 mph.
16. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle does not travel on any roadway having a speed limit of 65 or greater.
17. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle does not travel on interstate highways.
18. The transportation method of claim 1 , wherein the speed of the vehicle is limited to a maximum allowable speed V, wherein V is a value of 65 mph or less.
19. The transportation method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving from a customer, a purchase order for a purchase item to be delivered to the delivery destination;
at a retail facility, loading the purchase item onto the autonomous unmanned road vehicle.
20. The transportation method of claim 19 , further comprising:
notifying the customer that the purchase order is ready for delivery;
receiving from the customer, a request for delivery of the purchase order to the delivery destination;
notifying the customer that the vehicle is on its way or has arrived at the delivery destination;
at the delivery destination, allowing access to the cargo compartment.