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 . An autonomous unmanned road vehicle comprising:
 a control system for autonomous driving of the vehicle on a roadway;   a perception system for detecting objects in the surroundings;   a cargo compartment;   a power source for propelling the vehicle;   an external keypad for entering an access code, wherein entry of a correct access code gives access to the cargo compartment;   wherein the vehicle does not have any passenger seats.   
     
     
         2 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising an external loudspeaker and an external microphone. 
     
     
         3 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is programmed to monitor the condition of the vehicle and assess any technical problems being experienced by the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the control system is programmed to monitor the condition of the vehicle and assess any technical problems being experienced by the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side, top side, front side, and/or back side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side, top side, front side, and/or back side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side, top side, front side, and/or back side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side, top side, front side, and/or back side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is located only on the right side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is not located on the left side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is not located on the left side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is not located on the left side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein access to the cargo compartment is not located on the left side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising radio communications equipment, and wherein the cargo compartment can be opened or unlocked remotely. 
     
     
         18 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , comprising multiple separate cargo compartments that are individually accessible or lockable. 
     
     
         19 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a surveillance system that includes a multidirectional camera system that has one or more cameras for imaging in multiple directions, wherein the surveillance system is in operation even when the vehicle is not traveling or when the perception system is not active. 
     
     
         20 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein entry of the correct access code opens or unlocks the cargo compartment.