Autonomous multimodal logistics
US10373097B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/20
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An example system may comprise a docking station remotely located from a fulfillment center, a fulfillment system, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV). The fulfillment system manages the fulfillment center and the docking station, receives a request to ship an item, determines an item transfer point based on a delivery point, and calculates a flight path to the item transfer point. The fulfillment system loads the item at the fulfillment center via a handling mechanism of the UAV and deploys the UAV to the item transfer point using the flight path. The AGV is coupled for wireless communication with the fulfillment system, the docking station, and the AGV. The item transfer point indicates a geographical location where the item is to be transferred from the UAV to one of the docking station and the AGV based on the delivery point.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.