Autonomous locker delivery

Abstract

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful for autonomously delivering lockers. In some embodiments, a system comprises a carrier vehicle, the carrier vehicle comprising a storage area, a docking station including a plurality of storage docks, each of the plurality of storage docks configured to secure at least one locker, wherein the docking station is located within the storage area, and a retrieval point, a plurality of lockers each configured to house at least one product, a delivery vehicle, the delivery vehicle comprising a delivery dock, wherein the delivery dock is configured to receive, at the retrieval point, at least one locker, and a propulsion mechanism, wherein the propulsion mechanism propels the delivery vehicle, and a control circuit, the control circuit configured to identify, from the plurality of lockers, a selected locker, and cause the selected locker to move to the retrieval point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for autonomously delivering products, the system comprising:
 a carrier vehicle, the carrier vehicle comprising:
 a storage area configured to house a plurality of products; 
 a docking station, wherein the docking station includes a plurality of storage docks, each of the plurality of storage docks configured to releasably secure at least one product, and wherein the docking station is located within the storage area; and 
 a retrieval point; 
   a control circuit located on the carrier vehicle, the control circuit configured to:
 identify, from the plurality of products, a selected product; and 
 cause the selected product to move to the retrieval point. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery vehicle travels via one or more of land, water, and air. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of lockers, wherein each of the plurality of lockers are configured to house ones of the products, and wherein at least some of the plurality of lockers include a climate control unit, wherein the climate control units are configured to maintain a climate-controlled environment inside each of the at least some of the plurality of lockers. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the plurality of lockers include an authentication device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage area includes a first area and a second area, and wherein the first area is climate controlled. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
 determine, based on a trigger condition, that the selected product has been delivered.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
 in response to the determination that the selected product has been delivered, cause transmission of an indication that the selected product has been delivered.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the indication that the selected product has been delivered includes an indication of the selected product. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the trigger condition is one or more of removal of the selected product from the retrieval point, delivery of the selected product by a delivery vehicle, and the identification of the selected product. 
     
     
         10 . A method for autonomously delivering products, the method comprising:
 transporting, via a docking station within a storage area of a carrier vehicle, a plurality of products, wherein the storage area includes a retrieval point;   identifying, from the plurality of products, a selected product; and   causing the selected product to move from the docking station to the retrieval point.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the delivery vehicle travels via one or more of land, water, and air. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 housing, within a plurality of lockers, ones of the products, wherein at least some of the plurality of lockers include a climate control unit, wherein the climate control units are configured to maintain a climate-controlled environment inside each of the at least some of the plurality of lockers.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the plurality of lockers include an authentication device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the storage area includes a first area and a second area, and wherein the first area is climate controlled. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 determining, based on a trigger condition, that the selected product has been delivered.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 in response to the determining that the selected product has been delivered, causing transmission of an indication that the selected product has been delivered.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the indication that the selected product has been delivered includes an indication of the selected product. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger condition is one or more of the causing the selected product to move from the docking station to the retrieval point, delivering the selected product by a delivery vehicle, and identifying the selected product.