Autonomous Unmanned Road Vehicle for Making Deliveries

Abstract

An autonomous unmanned road vehicle and how it can be used to make deliveries. The unmanned vehicle is capable of operating autonomously on paved roadways. The vehicle has a control system for autonomous driving and a perception system for detecting objects in its surroundings. The vehicle also has one or more cargo compartments for carrying the delivery items. The vehicle may have a flashing light beacon to increase the conspicuousness of the vehicle. In consideration that the vehicle does not carry passengers, the size and/or motor power of the vehicle may be reduced as compared to conventional passenger vehicles.

1 . A method of delivering retail goods to customers, comprising:
 receiving from a customer, a purchase order for a purchase item;   at a retail facility, loading the purchase item onto an autonomous unmanned ground vehicle;   driving the vehicle, at least partly in an autonomous manner, to the customer's delivery destination via paved roadways;   wherein the vehicle comprises a cargo compartment for holding the purchase item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 notifying the customer that the purchase order is ready for delivery;   receiving from the customer, a request for delivery of the purchase order;   notifying the customer that the vehicle is on its way or has arrived at the customer's delivery destination;   providing the customer with an access code;   at the vehicle, receiving the access code;   allowing access to the cargo compartment.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 notifying the customer that the vehicle is on its way or has arrived at the customer's delivery destination;   at the customer's delivery destination, allowing access to the cargo compartment.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising receiving from the customer, a request for delivery of the purchase order. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising notifying the customer that the purchase order is ready for delivery. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising, prior to allowing access to the cargo compartment:
 providing the customer with an access code;   at the vehicle, receiving the access code.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving from the customer, a request for delivery of the purchase order. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the vehicle comprises radio communications equipment, and further comprising remotely monitoring the vehicle through its radio communications equipment while driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising remotely operating the vehicle while driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising, at the customer's delivery destination, parking the vehicle such that access to the cargo compartment is located away from the side facing the street. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is not located on the left side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is not located on the left side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle comprises radio communications equipment, and further comprising communicating with the vehicle while driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein communicating with the vehicle comprises remotely monitoring the vehicle while driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein communicating with the vehicle further comprises remotely operating the vehicle while driving the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at the customer's delivery destination, receiving an indication that the delivery is complete;   driving the vehicle, at least partly in an autonomous manner, away from the customer's delivery destination.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the vehicle further comprises an external loudspeaker and an external microphone.