US 10,308,430 B1Granted

Distribution and retrieval of inventory and materials using autonomous vehicles

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsTye Michael Brady, Darren Ernest Canavor, Ethan Zane Evans, Pragyana K. Mishra, Hilliard Bruce Siegel

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Abstract

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

Claims20

Dependent claims

A distribution system comprising:

a fulfillment center;
a plurality of autonomous ground vehicles;
at least one carrier vehicle;
at least one computer system in communication with at least some of the plurality of autonomous ground vehicles and the at least one item carrier, wherein the at least one computer system is configured to execute a method comprising:
predicting, at a first time, a first level of demand for a first item in a first geographic region at a second time, wherein the fulfillment center is not in the first geographic region;
determining a first number of the first item associated with the first level of demand in the first geographic region at the second time;
prior to the second time, loading at least the first number of the first item into at least a first one of the plurality of autonomous ground vehicles at the fulfillment center;
prior to the second time, causing at least the first autonomous ground vehicle to be loaded onto the at least one carrier vehicle at the fulfillment center;
causing the at least one carrier vehicle to travel from the fulfillment center to a first location in the first geographic region;
causing the first autonomous ground vehicle to disembark from the at least one carrier vehicle at the first location;
receiving an order for a delivery of one of the first item to a second location in the first geographic area;
and
causing the first autonomous ground vehicle to transport the one of the first item to the second location.

10 more elements

A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining a level of demand for a first item in a first geographic area by at least one computer server;
in response to determining the level of demand for the first item in the first geographic area,
selecting a first number of the first item based at least in part on the level of demand for the first item in the first geographic area by the at least one computer server;
loading at least the first number of the first item into at least a first storage compartment of a first autonomous ground vehicle at a first location, wherein the first autonomous ground vehicle comprises:
the first storage compartment;
a plurality of wheels;
an electric motor;
at least one wireless transceiver;
a Global Positioning System receiver;
and
at least one computer processor;
wherein the first location is not in the first geographic area;
and
causing the first autonomous ground vehicle to be transported from the first location to a second location within the first geographic area.

11 more elements

A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, over a communications network, a first order for a purchase of an item from a customer, wherein the first order specifies a destination for a delivery of the item, and wherein the destination is located in a geographic area;
identifying a plurality of autonomous ground vehicles in the geographic area by the at least one computer server, wherein each of the autonomous ground vehicles comprises:
a frame;
at least one pair of wheels joined to at least one axle;
at least one battery;
a motor disposed within the frame, wherein the motor is configured to cause the at least one pair of wheels to rotate at a speed within a predetermined speed range;
at least one storage compartment having at least the item stored therein, wherein the at least one storage compartment is disposed within the frame, wherein the at least one storage compartment comprises at least one door pivotably joined to an outer surface of the frame by at least one hinge, and wherein the at least one door is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position;
at least one power module for powering the motor;
a position sensor;
at least one computer processor;
and
at least one memory component;
determining at least one attribute of each of the plurality of autonomous ground vehicles in the geographic area by the at least one computer server, wherein the at least one attribute is at least one of:
a location within the geographic area;
a charge level of the at least one battery;
the predetermined speed range;
a number of the item in the at least one storage compartment;
an environmental condition in the geographic area;
selecting a first autonomous ground vehicle by the at least one computer server based at least in part on the at least one attribute of the first autonomous ground vehicle, wherein the first autonomous ground vehicle is one of the plurality of autonomous ground vehicles in the geographic area;
determining an optimal route for the delivery of the item to the destination by the first autonomous ground vehicle;
and
causing the first autonomous ground vehicle to deliver the item from the location of the first autonomous ground vehicle to the destination.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/389,920Filed 23 Dec 2016
Granted: 4 Jun 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B65G 1/1373
With arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed: for fulfilling orders in warehouses
G05D 1/0022
Associated with a remote control arrangement: characterised by the communication link
G05D 1/0027
Associated with a remote control arrangement: involving a plurality of vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling
G05D 1/0278
Using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle: using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Family

No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.

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