Transportation network utilizing autonomous vehicles for transporting items
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method to transport items, the method comprising:
- under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions,determining a plurality of different possible travel paths for an item that is to be transported through a transportation network from an origin network location to a destination network location for the item, wherein each of the different possible travel paths includes at least two path segments with a different autonomous vehicle utilized to transport the item along each path segment, each of the autonomous vehicles having an autonomous vehicle control system;
determining, for each of the different possible travel paths, one or more transportation factors;
selecting a travel path for the item based on the one or more transportation factors, wherein the selected travel path includes;
utilizing a first autonomous vehicle having a first autonomous vehicle control system to engage the item at the origin network location and to transport the item along a first path segment of the selected travel path from the origin network location to a meeting location that is determined for a meeting of the first autonomous vehicle with a second autonomous vehicle for transferring the item for further transport; and
utilizing the second autonomous vehicle having a second autonomous vehicle control system to engage the item at the meeting location and to transport the item along a second path segment of the selected travel path from the meeting location to a next network location.
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Abstract
A transportation network is provided that utilizes autonomous vehicles (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles) for identifying, acquiring, and transporting items between network locations without requiring human interaction. A travel path for an item through the transportation network may include a passing of the item from one autonomous vehicle to another or otherwise utilizing different autonomous vehicles for transporting the item along different path segments (e.g., between different network locations). Different possible travel paths through the transportation network may be evaluated, and a travel path for an item may be selected based on transportation factors such as travel time, cost, safety, etc., which may include consideration of information regarding current conditions (e.g., related to network congestion, inclement weather, etc.). Autonomous vehicles of different sizes, carrying capacities, travel ranges, travel speeds, etc. may be utilized for further improving the flexibility and efficiency of the system for transporting items.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method to transport items, the method comprising:
under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, determining a plurality of different possible travel paths for an item that is to be transported through a transportation network from an origin network location to a destination network location for the item, wherein each of the different possible travel paths includes at least two path segments with a different autonomous vehicle utilized to transport the item along each path segment, each of the autonomous vehicles having an autonomous vehicle control system; determining, for each of the different possible travel paths, one or more transportation factors; selecting a travel path for the item based on the one or more transportation factors, wherein the selected travel path includes; utilizing a first autonomous vehicle having a first autonomous vehicle control system to engage the item at the origin network location and to transport the item along a first path segment of the selected travel path from the origin network location to a meeting location that is determined for a meeting of the first autonomous vehicle with a second autonomous vehicle for transferring the item for further transport; and utilizing the second autonomous vehicle having a second autonomous vehicle control system to engage the item at the meeting location and to transport the item along a second path segment of the selected travel path from the meeting location to a next network location. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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2. A computer implemented method to transport items, the method comprising:
under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, determining a plurality of possible travel paths through a transportation network for an item, each of the plurality of possible travel paths beginning at an origin network location and ending at a destination network location for the item, wherein each of the different possible travel paths includes at least two path segments with a different autonomous vehicle utilized to transport the item along each path segment, each of the autonomous vehicles having an autonomous vehicle control system, the transportation network including a plurality of intermediate network locations to which the item may be transported as part of the plurality of possible travel paths; receiving transportation information that is related to one or more transportation factors; and selecting a travel path for the item from the plurality of possible travel paths based at least in part on the received transportation information, wherein the selected travel path includes transport of the item along a first path segment to an intermediate network location by a first autonomous vehicle having a first autonomous vehicle control system, wherein the intermediate network location is a meeting location that is determined for a meeting of the first autonomous vehicle with a second autonomous vehicle having a second autonomous vehicle control system for transferring the item for further transport along a second path segment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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7. A system to transport items, the system comprising:
first and second autonomous vehicles configured to transport items between network locations in a transportation network, the first autonomous vehicle comprising; a propulsion system; an engagement mechanism to engage an item; and an autonomous vehicle control system configured to control the propulsion system and the engagement mechanism, the autonomous vehicle control system comprising; one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to at least; control the engagement mechanism to engage an item; control the propulsion system to transport the item to a meeting location that is a next network location along a travel path for the item, wherein the meeting location is determined for a meeting of the first autonomous vehicle with the second autonomous vehicle for transferring the item for further transport; and control the engagement mechanism to disengage the item at the meeting location so that the second autonomous vehicle may engage and transport the item from the meeting location as controlled by an autonomous vehicle control system of the second autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Specification