SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES TO REACT TO HOSTILE THIRD PARTIES WHEN MAKING PRODUCT DELIVERIES

• US 20180101811A1
• Filed: 10/05/2017
• Published: 04/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores Texas LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: Mattingly, Todd D., Wilkinson, Bruce W., High, Donald R.
• Application Number:
  US15/726,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20180101811A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/02 with smoke, gas, or coloured or odorous powder or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles

Abstract

In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided herein useful to enable delivery of retail products along product delivery routes to recipients. In some embodiments, autonomous product delivery systems are provided to enable delivery of retail products, and comprises: an autonomous ground vehicle (“AGV”) on a product delivery route. The AGV includes control circuits, sensors in electrical communication with the control circuits and configured to communicate sensor data to the control circuits, and emitters in electrical communication with the control circuits and configured to emit irritants. The control circuits use sensor data to detect the presence of an object having a relationship to parameters defining a known hostile third party, detect the presence of a hostile third party positioned within a threshold distance relative to the AGV, determine that the hostile third party is interfering with an operation of the AGV, and activate the emitter in response to the determination.

Claims

1. An autonomous product delivery system to enable delivery of retail products along product delivery routes to recipients, the system comprising:

an autonomous ground vehicle (“

AGV”

) on a product delivery route, configured to transport a retail product to a delivery location to a recipient via the product delivery route, comprising;

a control circuit;

a sensor in electrical communication with the control circuit and configured to communicate sensor data to the control circuit;

an emitter in electrical communication with the control circuit and configured to emit an irritant; and

wherein the control circuit is configured to;

detect, based on the sensor data, an object having a threshold relationship to predefined parameters defining a known hostile third party;

detect, based on the sensor data, the presence of a hostile third party positioned within a threshold distance relative to the AGV on the product delivery route, wherein the hostile third party is not the recipient;

determine, based sensor data indicating an acceleration of the AGV, that the hostile third party is interfering with an operation of the AGV; and

when the presence of the hostile third party is detected and interfering with the operation of the AGV, activate the emitter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein in emitting the irritant the emitter is further configured to emit an irritant selected from a group consisting of water, a chemical that temporarily marks the hostile third party upon contact therewith, and a chemical that temporarily inflames a mucus membrane of the hostile third party upon contact therewith.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit, based on sensor data, is further configured to determine whether the hostile third party is a person of interest.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein emitting the irritant the emitter is further configured to emit an irritant selected from the group consisting of an audible sound having a frequency of about 2 kHz to about 5 kHz, and a canine-specific audible sound.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises a reservoir, a pump, a nozzle, and a motor and is configured to adjust a direction of emission of the irritant.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to capture an image of the object within the threshold distance.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to determine a distance of the object positioned within the threshold distance.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to measure a heat signature of the object positioned within the threshold distance.

9. A method of enabling autonomous product delivery along product delivery routes to recipients, the method comprising:

detecting, through an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) on a delivery route and configured to transport a retail product to a delivery location to a recipient via the product delivery route, an object having a threshold relationship to predefined parameters defining a known hostile third party;

detecting, through the AGV, the presence of a hostile third party positioned within a threshold distance of the AGV on the product delivery route, wherein the hostile third party is not the recipient;

determining, through the AGV using sensor data indicating an acceleration of the AGV, that the hostile third party is interfering with an operation of the AGV; and

when the presence of the hostile third party is detected and interfering with the operation of the AGV, emitting, from the AGV, an irritant proximate to the hostile third party.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of detecting the presence of the hostile third party comprises processing a captured image and detecting the object included in the captured image having the threshold relationship to predefined parameters defining the hostile third party.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining that the hostile third party is interfering with the operation of the AGV comprises processing navigational data and detecting the presence of the hostile third party within a predetermined path of the AGV.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining that the hostile third party is interfering with the operation of the AGV comprises processing environmental data and determining that the hostile third party is attempting to gain access to the AGV.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the irritant is a chemical selected from the group consisting of water, a chemical that temporarily marks a surface of the hostile third party upon contact therewith, and a chemical that temporarily inflames a mucus membrane of the hostile third party upon contact therewith.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the irritant temporarily disorients the hostile third party.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining that the hostile third party is interfering with the operation of the AGV comprises processing identification data and determining that the hostile third party is not associated with the AGV.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the irritant is an audible output selected from a group consisting of an audible output having a frequency of about 2,000 Hz to about 5,000 Hz, and an audible output only discernable by a canine.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of detecting the presence of the hostile third party comprises at least one of:

capturing an image of objects positioned within the threshold distance;

measuring a distance of objects positioned within the threshold distance; and

capture a thermal reading of objects positioned within the threshold distance.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the emitter comprises a reservoir, a pump, a nozzle, and a motor configured to adjust a direction of emission of the irritant.