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US 2021/0080974 A1Published application
Reconfigurable Autonomous Ground Service Vehicles and Control System
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsSteve G. Mackin, Peter J. Knudsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ground service vehicle system employs autonomous vehicles that can be reconfigured with interchangeable service modules to provide different services. The autonomous service vehicles can be remotely controlled and dispatched in swarms to provide different services at a location.
Claims20
An autonomous ground service vehicle, comprising:
- a base vehicle configured to operate autonomously, the base vehicle including a drive system and a communication system configured to communicate with a remote station;
- and
- at least one service module releasably coupled with the base vehicle and configured to performing a service.
An autonomous ground vehicle service system, comprising:
- a plurality of ground service vehicles each reconfigurable to provide differing services, each of the ground service vehicles including an autonomous base vehicle having a drive system and a communication system, each of the autonomous base vehicles further including an autonomous control system configured to operate the autonomous base vehicle autonomously;
- a plurality of service modules each configured provide a service, each of the service modules being further configured to be releasably coupled with any one of the autonomous base vehicles, thereby configuring the autonomous base vehicle to provide a service;
- and
- a control station configured to wirelessly communicate with and coordinate operation of the autonomous base vehicles.
1 more element
A method of providing ground based services in an airport, comprising:
- directing power driven autonomous vehicles to self-drive to locations of service modules configured to provide services;
- coupling the autonomous vehicles with the service modules based on services required to be performed at locations in the airport;
- and
- directing the autonomous vehicles to self-drive to locations in the airport where the services are required to be performed.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.