Automated delivery systems for autonomous vehicles

A delivery system for use with a vehicle, the delivery system comprising:

• a plurality of delivery crates;
• and
• a delivery service pod disposed relative to a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the delivery service pod configured as a non-removable roof delivery service pod that is integrated into a roof space of the vehicle, the passenger cabin positioned directly below the delivery service pod, the delivery service pod comprising:
• an access unit configured to allow for loading and unloading of the plurality of delivery crates in and out of the delivery service pod;
• and
• a conveyor unit comprising multiple delivery crate holding positions, the delivery crate holding positions being defined by neighboring sidewalls spaced apart within the delivery service pod such that a respective delivery crate of the plurality of delivery crates is positionable between neighboring sidewalls, wherein the conveyor unit is configured to be rotated to align each of the delivery crate holding positions with the access unit.

An autonomous vehicle comprising:

• a drive system;
• a passenger cabin;
• a delivery system;
• and
• a vehicle cleaning system;
• the delivery system comprising:
• a plurality of delivery crates;
• and
• a delivery service pod disposed relative to the passenger cabin of the vehicle, the delivery service pod configured as a non-removable roof delivery service pod that is integrated into a roof space of the vehicle, the passenger cabin positioned directly below the delivery service pod, the delivery service pod comprising:
• an access unit configured to allow for loading and unloading of the plurality of delivery crates in and out of the delivery service pod;
• and
• a conveyor unit comprising multiple delivery crate holding positions, the delivery crate holding positions being defined by neighboring sidewalls spaced apart within the delivery service pod such that a respective delivery crate of the plurality of delivery crates is positionable between neighboring sidewalls, wherein the conveyor unit is configured to be rotated to align each of the delivery crate holding positions with the access unit;
• and
• the vehicle cleaning system comprising:
• a vacuum unit;
• and
• a robotic manipulator, the robotic manipulator comprising:
• an arm including a plurality of arm sections, with adjacent arm sections of the plurality of arm sections being coupled to each other via a joint that allows relative movement between the adjacent arm sections;
• a gripper unit positioned at a distal end of the arm;
• and
• a camera associated with the gripper unit;
• wherein the robotic manipulator is connected to the vacuum unit such that the arm provides a vacuum path between the vacuum unit and the gripper unit;
• and
• wherein the robotic manipulator is configured to be deployed from a central cavity configured within the underside of the delivery service pod and having access to the passenger cabin of the vehicle.