Systems and methods for handling packages transported in a delivery vehicle

A method comprising:

• identifying, by a computer, in a bed of rollers operated by one or more servomotors under control of the computer and provided in a cargo area of a vehicle, a first set of rollers that are activatable to move packages along a first movement path extending between a door of the vehicle and a package storage space in the cargo area;
• identifying, by the computer, a package placement configuration for a set of packages based on a delivery address for each package in the set of packages, a delivery route of the vehicle for delivering the set of packages, and/or precluding placement of any of the set of packages on the first movement path;
• determining, by the computer, a time constraint associated with delivering the set of packages, wherein the time constraint is based on a trip time to one or more delivery destinations for the set of packages;
• operating, by the computer, based on the time constraint, the first set of rollers to move the set of packages into a set of storage locations in the cargo area in conformance with the package placement configuration;
• identifying, by the computer, a first physical characteristic of a first package in the set of packages;
• identifying, by the computer, based on at least one of the first physical characteristic of the first package and the delivery route of the vehicle for delivering the set of packages, a first storage location for the first package in the package storage space in the cargo area;
• activating, by the computer, the first set of rollers to automatically move the first package from a door of the vehicle to the first storage location along the first movement path;
• receiving, by the computer, a notification of one of a change of a first delivery address for the first package, a change of a delivery priority of the first package, or a change in a delivery route of the vehicle;
• and
• activating, by the computer, responsive to the notification, while the vehicle is moving, the first set of rollers to automatically move the first package along the first movement path from the first storage location to an unloading location adjacent to the door of the vehicle.

A vehicle comprising:

• an unmanned package moving apparatus, comprising a bed of rollers operated by one or more servomotors, provided in a cargo area of the vehicle;
• and
• a computer comprising:
• a memory that stores computer-executable instructions;
• and
• a processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a command related to a delivery of a first package;
• determining a time constraint associated with the delivery of the first package, wherein the time constraint is based on a trip time to a delivery destination for the first package;
• operating, responsive to the command and based on the time constraint, the unmanned package moving apparatus to move the first package from a first location in the cargo area of the vehicle to a second location in the cargo area while the vehicle is in motion and prior to the vehicle reaching the delivery destination for the first package;
• determining an arrival of the vehicle at a pickup location for a second package;
• determining a physical characteristic of the second package;
• determining, based on the command and the physical characteristic of the second package, a third location in the cargo area of the vehicle;
• determining a first movement path for the second package upon the bed of rollers, the first movement path extending between a door of the vehicle and the third location;
• and
• activating a first set of rollers in the bed of rollers to automatically move the second package along the first movement path from the door of the vehicle to the third location.