System and method for robotic delivery

Abstract

An improved method for the delivery of an ordered item to a locked storage containers comprising determining the availability of the container to receive a delivery; identifying a time interval during which the delivery can be made; sending a signal to the storage container allowing access by a delivery agent, the improvement wherein delivery is achieved with a robotic positioner and a driverless vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the delivery of at least one ordered item from an origin to at least one locked storage containers, associated with a corresponding customer comprising:
 following the ordering of said delivery, determining an identity of the locked storage container to receive said delivery at one or more times;   identifying when the delivery is to be made to said locked storage container;   sending a signal to the locked storage container allowing access by a delivery agent that is delivering said at least one ordered item to said locked storage container so that when the locked storage container is being delivered at the locked storage container that the locked storage container will be unlocked,   wherein the delivery is achieved with a robotic positioner that is associated with an sensor-based system that (1) includes one or more sensors for detecting an object in an area and (2) is configured to monitor and regulate the robotic positioning of the ordered item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein delivery is made with a driverless vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein delivery includes robotic positioning of the at least one ordered item in a driverless vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein delivery includes robotic positioning of the at least one ordered item in the locked storage container. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the driverless vehicle is equipped with a Global Positioning System adapted to establish an itinerary from the origin to the storage container(s). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the origin of the ordered goods is equipped with a robotic positioner. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the storage container is equipped with a robotic positioner 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the driverless vehicle is capable of receiving the location of and driving to the storage container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the driverless vehicle includes a memory unit adapted to store the itinerary. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the driverless vehicle includes a processor to execute the itinerary. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the driverless vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine, electric engine or hybrid thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the driverless vehicle is a cargo van, minivan, pickup truck, panel van, platform truck, flatbed truck, refrigerated truck, tank truck, and semi-trailer truck, or automobile. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensor-based system comprises one of the group comprising: a camera, a laser, and a radar sensor.