Systems and methods for coupling autonomous ground vehicles delivering merchandise

A method of delivering merchandise using autonomous ground vehicles linking to other autonomous ground vehicles, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of autonomous ground vehicles, each autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) comprising:
• a motorized locomotion system configured to facilitate movement of the AGV;
• a storage area configured to hold at least one merchandise item;
• a vehicle body having a first end and a second end;
• a power source disposed in the vehicle body;
• a first magnetic connector at the first end of the vehicle body and configured for linking to a magnetic connector of another AGV;
• a second magnetic connector at the second end of the vehicle body and configured for linking to a magnetic connector of another AGV;
• a transceiver configured for wireless communication and configured to transmit an authentication code;
• an optical sensor configured to capture a plurality of images;
• a first control circuit configured to selectively activate the first and second magnetic connectors for linking to other AGVs and to selectively deactivate the first and second connectors for disconnecting from other AGVs;
• linking a subset of the plurality of AGVs to define a chain of AGVs moving in a direction of travel to deliver merchandise;
• providing an unlinked AGV of the plurality of AGVs to be linked to an AGV at an end of the chain of AGVs;
• providing a database containing a plurality of predetermined images of the first end of the AGV vehicle body and of the second end of the AGV vehicle body;
• by a second control circuit:
• receiving an authentication code from the unlinked AGV;
• determining that the authentication code from the unlinked AGV is an authorized authentication code to allow linking of the unlinked AGV to the chain of AGVs;
• determining a first position, first speed, and first direction of the end AGV at the end of the chain of AGVs to be linked to the unlinked AGV;
• determining a second position, second speed, and second direction of movement of the unlinked AGV;
• calculating and transmitting a third speed and third direction of movement to the unlinked AGV to facilitate approach to the end AGV;
• receiving a plurality of images from the optical sensor of one or both of the unlinked AGV and the end AGV;
• comparing the received plurality of images with predetermined images from the database using image recognition of predetermined features of the first and second ends of the AGV vehicle body to determine a proximity and orientation of the unlinked AGV with respect to the end AGV on approach to link;
• and
• instructing the activation of a magnetic connector of one or both of the unlinked AGV and the end AGV to link the unlinked AGV to the end AGV when the unlinked AGV is within a predetermined proximity and orientation to the end AGV.