Grocery delivery system having robot vehicles with temperature and humidity control compartments

• US 10,486,640 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2018
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
• Inventors: Ferguson, David, Zhu, Jiajun, Ransohoff, Nan
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Shardul D
• Application Number:
  US16/159,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20190047356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 701 22, 701 24, 477115, 244152, 700216
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/52 Adding ingredients adding preservatives A23L2/44
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/00 Preparation or treatment of foods or foodstuffs, in general; Food or foodstuffs obtained thereby; Materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 7/109 Types of pasta, e.g. macaroni or noodles
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0658 specially adapted for cooking pizza
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/00 Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass; Cutting-boards, e.g. for bread bowls for food processors A47J43/0727
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00364 for caravans or trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00735 Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/36 using endless chains or belts thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/007 for delivery of small articles, e.g. milk, frozen articles
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/0257 the object being a vending stall, restaurant or food kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/18 characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/346 means outside vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/34 Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians B60R19/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/408 Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/54 : Audio sensitive means, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 : Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/40 : High definition maps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/00256 : Delivery operations
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 : for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/10 : autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS]
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2209/06 : Use of order trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/24 : Unloading land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 : Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 : Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3438 : Rendez-vous, i.e. searching a destination where several users can meet, and the routes to this destination for these users; Ride sharing, i.e. searching a route such that at least two users can share a vehicle for at least part of the route
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3453 : Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0027 : involving a plurality of vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling fleet control of land vehicles from a control room G05D1/0297; traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/00; for marine craft G08G3/00; for aircraft G08G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 : by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 : by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0061 : for transition from automatic pilot to manual pilot and vice versa
• 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: G05D 1/0094 : involving pointing a payload, e.g. camera, weapon, sensor, towards a fixed or moving target
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0212 : with means for defining a desired trajectory involving a plurality of land vehicles G05D1/0287
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0214 : in accordance with safety or protection criteria, e.g. avoiding hazardous areas monitoring the location of vehicles within a certain area, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas, in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/13
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0223 : involving speed control of the vehicle vehicle fittings for automatically controlling, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator B60K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0231 : using optical position detecting means position-fixing by using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. optical position detecting means G01S5/16
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0276 : using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 : Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0295 : by at least one leading vehicle of the fleet
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 : by controlling means in a control room
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/12 : Target-seeking control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 : using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 : using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 : the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 : arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 : Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 : 1D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 : Machine learning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 : Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 : Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 : Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 : Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 : Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 : Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 : Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0834 : Choice of carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0835 : Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 : Routing methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0837 : Return transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 : Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 : Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 : involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 : based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 : Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 : Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 : Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 : Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 : exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/64 : Three-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 : for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 : Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 : Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 : Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 : using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 : operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 : specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 : the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0057 : for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs car rental G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 : comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 : using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 : Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/22 : Platooning, i.e. convoy of communicating vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/688 : for thawing

Abstract

An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a conveyance system and a compartment coupled to the conveyance system. The conveyance system autonomously drives the autonomous robotic vehicle between one or more grocery storage locations and one or more delivery locations. The compartment receives one or more grocery items stored at the one more grocery storage locations. The compartment includes a temperature control module configured to maintain the compartment within a predetermined temperature range to provide temperature control for the one or more grocery items as the conveyance system drives between the one or more grocery storage locations and the one or more delivery locations.

Claims

1. An autonomous robotic vehicle, comprising:

a conveyance system configured to autonomously drive the autonomous robotic vehicle between at least one grocery storage location and at least one delivery location; and

a storage module including a storage compartment, the storage module positionable within the conveyance system and removable from the conveyance system for selective replacement of the storage module or portions thereof, the storage compartment configured to receive at least one grocery item stored at the at least one grocery storage location, the storage module including a temperature control module configured to maintain the storage compartment within a predetermined temperature range to provide temperature control for the least one grocery item as the conveyance system drives between the at least one grocery storage location and the at least one delivery location.

2. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 1, wherein the temperature control module includes a heater that is configured to raise a temperature within the storage compartment to maintain the temperature within the predetermined temperature range.

3. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 2, wherein the predetermined temperature range is between about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and about 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 1, wherein the temperature control module includes a cooler that is configured to lower a temperature within the storage compartment to maintain the temperature within the predetermined temperature range.

5. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 4, wherein the predetermined temperature range is between about 32 degrees Fahrenheit and about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 4, wherein the predetermined temperature range is below about 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a humidity control module that controls humidity levels within the storage compartment.

8. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 1, wherein the temperature control module is configured to selectively raise or lower a temperature within the storage compartment to maintain the storage compartment within the predetermined temperature range.

9. The autonomous robotic vehicle of claim 8, wherein the temperature control module is configured to adjust the temperature within the storage compartment based on an optimal temperature range for the at least one grocery item.

10. A grocery delivery system, the system comprising:

an autonomous robot vehicle including a conveyance system and a storage module, the storage module positionable within the conveyance system and removable from the conveyance system for selective replacement of the storage module or portions thereof;

a database configured to store a list of groceries for delivery by the autonomous robot vehicle, the database further configured to store information of a delivery location and of at least one grocery storage location;

a communication system configured to communicate with computing devices to enable at least one grocery item to be selected from the list of groceries stored on the database to create a grocery order;

at least one processor; and

a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the grocery delivery system to;

access, in the database, the grocery order;

instruct the at least one storage location to load the grocery order on the autonomous robot vehicle; and

instruct the autonomous vehicle to travel to the delivery location when the grocery order is loaded in the autonomous vehicle.

11. The grocery delivery system of claim 10, further comprising a fleet of autonomous robot vehicles, the fleet of autonomous robot vehicles including the autonomous robot vehicle including the conveyance system and the storage module.

12. The grocery delivery system of claim 11, wherein the communication system is configured to communicate with each autonomous robot vehicle of the fleet of autonomous robot vehicles and to receive grocery orders from software applications on computing devices of customers.

13. The grocery delivery system of claim 11, wherein the database is configured to store information for each autonomous robot vehicle of the fleet, the information including equipment inventory for each autonomous robot vehicle and grocery inventory of grocery orders for each autonomous robot vehicle.

14. The grocery delivery system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to identify, based on equipment inventory and grocery inventory information in the database, particular autonomous vehicles in the fleet capable of fulfilling the grocery order.

15. The grocery delivery system of claim 14, wherein the equipment inventory information indicates whether each autonomous robot vehicle includes a temperature controlled storage compartment.

16. The grocery delivery system of claim 15, wherein the equipment inventory information indicates whether each autonomous robot vehicle includes at least one of:

a heater, a cooler, or both a heater and a cooler.

17. The grocery delivery system of claim 14, wherein the equipment inventory information indicates whether each autonomous robot vehicle includes a humidity controlled storage compartment.

18. The grocery delivery system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the system to travel to a different delivery location or to travel to the at least one storage location.

19. The grocery delivery system of claim 11, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the grocery delivery system to broadcast at least one grocery order to the fleet, and wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause at least one autonomous robot vehicle of the fleet to respond with a bid for the at least one grocery order.

20. The grocery delivery system of claim 10, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the grocery delivery system to:

identify one or more grocery ordering patterns; and

preemptively instruct the autonomous robot vehicle based on the one or more grocery ordering patterns.

21. The grocery delivery system of claim 20, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the grocery delivery system to associate at least one customer to at least one preemptive grocery order based on at least one grocery order of the at least one customer, wherein the at least one preemptive grocery order is arranged by the grocery delivery system before the at least one customer places at least one grocery order that corresponds to the at least one preemptive grocery order.

22. An autonomous robot vehicle system comprising:

a conveyance system;

a navigation system configured to navigate to destinations;

a communication system;

a storage module including at least one storage compartment, the storage module positionable within the conveyance system and removable from the conveyance system for selective replacement of the storage module or portions thereof, the at least one storage compartment configured to store grocery items of a grocery order for a destination, each grocery item having a predetermined temperature requirement;

at least one temperature control module coupled to the at least one storage compartment and configured to maintain at least one temperature in the at least one storage compartment within at least one predetermined temperature range;

at least one processor; and

a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the autonomous robot vehicle to, autonomously;

receive, via the communication system, the grocery order for the destination;

determine, via the navigation system, a travel route that includes the destination;

control the conveyance system to travel the travel route to reach the destination; and

control, via the at least one temperature control module, at least one temperature in the at least one storage compartment within the at least one predetermined temperature range based on the predetermined temperature requirements of the grocery order while traveling on the travel route.

23. The autonomous robot vehicle system of claim 22, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the autonomous robot vehicle to:

receive, via the communication system, at least one additional grocery order; and

coordinate with the at least one temperature control module for concurrently controlling temperatures within the at least one storage compartment based on the grocery order and the at least one additional grocery order.