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 transporting an item from a sender to a recipient using an autonomous unmanned road vehicle that comprises a cargo compartment but does not have any passenger seats, the method comprising:
 receiving from the sender, a request for transporting an item from a location designated by the sender to a location designated by the recipient, wherein the request includes the recipient's contact information;   from a fleet of multiple autonomous unmanned road vehicles, assigning a vehicle for transporting the item;   driving the assigned vehicle, at least partly in an autonomous manner, to the sender's designated location via a paved roadway;   receiving into the cargo compartment, an item to be sent to the recipient;   driving the assigned vehicle, at least partly in an autonomous manner, to the recipient's designated location;   notifying the recipient that the assigned vehicle is on its way or has arrived.   
     
     
         2 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , wherein the fleet of vehicles operates from a home base facility. 
     
     
         3 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the assigned vehicle travels within an operating area that is within a 15 miles radius around the home base facility. 
     
     
         4 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the home base facility is located in an area that is zoned for commercial, industrial, or mixed residential-commercial use. 
     
     
         5 . The transportation method of  claim 4 , wherein the home base facility is located within 6 miles from a residential area, or area that is zoned for residential use, or a residential building. 
     
     
         6 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the home base facility is located within 6 miles from a residential area, or area that is zoned for residential use, or a residential building. 
     
     
         7 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the home base facility has a recovery truck. 
     
     
         8 . The transportation method of  claim 7 , wherein the home base facility has a covered garage for vehicle storage. 
     
     
         9 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the home base facility has a covered garage for vehicle storage. 
     
     
         10 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the transportation method is implemented in a delivery service and the home base facility is dedicated solely for the delivery service. 
     
     
         11 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the transportation method is implemented in a delivery service and the home base facility is located at a business facility that operates a different type of business, other than the delivery service. 
     
     
         12 . The transportation method of  claim 2 , wherein the home base facility has personnel and equipment for maintaining the fleet of vehicles. 
     
     
         13 . The transportation method of  claim 12 , wherein the home base facility has a recovery truck. 
     
     
         14 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , wherein the assigned vehicle comprises radio communications equipment, and further comprising remotely monitoring the assigned vehicle through its radio communications equipment while driving the assigned vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The transportation method of  claim 14 , wherein the driving of the assigned vehicle is performed by a combination of human control via remote operation and autonomous control. 
     
     
         16 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , further comprising, on a street at the recipient's designated location, parking the assigned vehicle such that access to the cargo compartment is not positioned on the side facing the street. 
     
     
         17 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , wherein the assigned vehicle is neither the sender's or the recipient's possession. 
     
     
         18 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying the sender that the assigned vehicle is on its way or has arrived. 
     
     
         19 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , wherein the sender's request further includes information about the item being delivered. 
     
     
         20 . The transportation method of  claim 15 , wherein the assigned vehicle further comprises an external loudspeaker and an external microphone. 
     
     
         21 . The transportation method of  claim 1 , the assigned vehicle further comprises an external loudspeaker and an external microphone.