Abstract:
A thermally controlled payload container for carrying payloads by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall forms a chamber having an open end and a closed end. The payload container also comprises a thermal control body adjacent to the inner wall and disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The payload container also comprises a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) extending through the outer wall from a first side of the TEC to a second side of the TEC, the first side adjacent the thermal control body and the second side coupled to an external heat sink.
Abstract:
Loading, shifting, and staging objects in automated or semi-automated fashion including systems, methods, and apparatuses for the same. The embodiments hereof enable automated and/or semi-automated loading, shifting, organizing, staging, and accessing of objects in different environments, e.g., those associated with a logistics network operation. For example, one such environment is a vehicle. In one aspect, a loading mechanism is used to load objects into a storage space of the vehicle. In another aspect, a shifting mechanism is used to shift objects in a storage space of the vehicle. In another aspect, a door assembly allows for automated opening and closing of a door into a storage space of a vehicle. In addition, methods of manufacturing and using the same are provided.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for transporting a plurality of modular containers using one or more autonomous vehicles. The system may include a housing, motorized wheels, a proximity sensor, and a control system. The housing may have a body with a floor, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the motorized wheels may be rotatably attached to the housing. The proximity sensor may identify proximity of the housing to other objects. The control system may be communicably coupled to the proximity sensor and the plurality of motorized wheels and may instruct rotatable actuation and steering of at least one of the motorized wheels based on user input, input from the proximity sensor and/or input read from a memory storage device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are described for enforcing consistency of data between disparate systems of a transportation network with verified transactions. Embodiments include receiving a transaction that is generated based on a command indicating an intent to transfer an asset from the originating hub to a destination hub. The generated transaction can include a sender identifier associated with the originating hub, an asset identifier associated with the asset, and a detected location of the asset. The received transaction is communicated to any node of the plurality of nodes that are configured store it onto a distributed ledger based on a determined verification that the included detected location corresponds to a location associated with the included sender identifier.
Abstract:
A containment unit that facilitates delivery of parcels using drones is provided. An example containment unit comprises an inner housing unit and an outer housing unit. The inner housing unit includes a first and second sidewall that are connected by an end piece and have a bottom opening in between. The inner housing unit is movable from a retracted position over a floor of the containment unit to an extended position, where a portion of the opening is extended beyond the floor. A parcel may be inserted into a volume of space within the inner housing unit from below through the opening and pulled into the containment unit by the end piece when the inner housing unit is retracted. The containment unit can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include an elevated delivery platform, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for selectively shifting and staging storage structures in a storage space are provided. Systems, methods, and apparatuses for dynamically organizing packages based on a travel route are also provided. In embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored on storage structures located within a vehicle and each storage structure may be provided in a modular assembly. During a delivery operation, the system may determine which parcels are next to be delivered and, either based on predetermined information or dynamic information, may adjust the position of the storage structures within the vehicle using shifting mechanisms and control systems coupled thereto to present the appropriate parcel for retrieval from the vehicle.
Abstract:
Embodiments are disclosed for autonomously generating volume forecasts. An example method includes accessing volume information units from a volume forecast data management tool. The example method further includes extracting features from volume information units, wherein the features are representative of one or more of a package received time, or package information. The features can be categorized by different hierarchical level information. The example method further includes generating, using a volume forecast learning model and the features, an output comprising a volume forecast for a particular hierarchical level. Corresponding apparatuses and non-transitory computer readable storage media are also provided.
Abstract:
A first parcel digital image associated with a first interaction point is received. The first parcel digital image may be associated with a first parcel being transported to or from the first interaction point. At least a second parcel digital image associated with at least a second interaction point is further be received. The second parcel digital image may be associated with the first parcel being transported to or from the second interaction point. A first parcel damage analysis is automatically generated based at least in part on analyzing the first parcel digital image and the at least second parcel image. The damage analysis can include determining whether the first parcel is damaged above or below a threshold.
Abstract:
Embodiments are provided for tracking physical transfers of tokenized physical assets. A transferor request to transfer a digital token from a first address associated with the first computing device to a second address associated with a second computing device may be received by a first computing device, where the digital token corresponds to a unique identifier associated with a physical asset. The first computing device communicates the received transferor request including at least a first location parameter, determined by the first computing device based on signals received at a physical location thereof, to at least one node of a distributed ledger network. The first computing device receives a confirmation that the transfer of the digital token is approved based on a determination that a transferee request from the second computing device includes at least a second location parameter corresponding to the physical location of the first computing device.
Abstract:
Computer-implemented methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided. In one embodiment, shipment information/data corresponding to a proposed shipment from a customer computing device is received. The shipment information/data may be generated based on a task-management record from user input provided from a shipper. The shipment information/data also identifies a destination location and a desired delivery date for the proposed shipment. In one embodiment, updated shipment information/data is generated and causes the customer computing device to generate updated task-management records via a task-management software application based at least in part on one or more tender dates.