Abstract: A locking system for retractable and removable bins, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The locking system includes a retractable latch disposed within a carrier sized and shaped to receive one or more delivery bins. The locking system further includes a first retention feature disposed on the bin and configured to receive the latch in a first locked configuration where horizontal and vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is prohibited. Additionally, the locking system includes a second retention feature disposed on the bin distal to the first retention feature and configured to receive the latch in a second locked configuration. The second retention feature has an opening such that, in the second locked configuration, vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is permitted to thereby remove the bin from the latch through the opening.

Abstract: A method for delivering a plurality of packages is described. The method includes obtaining, via a processor, information associated with a delivery plan of the plurality of packages from at least one memory. Based on the information, the method includes determining, via the processor, a current location, and a destination location of a target container. In response to the determination, the method includes determining, via the processor, a movement plan to move the target container to the destination location. Based on the movement plan, the method includes activating, via the processor, a first set of motorized tiles to move the target container to the destination location. The method further includes receiving, via the processor, an updated movement plan from a server plan when a preset condition is met. Based on the updated movement plan, the method includes activating, via the processor, a second set of motorized tiles.

Abstract: Automated package translation apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus can include a grid having a plurality of tiles, each of the plurality of tiles including translation members that are controlled by translation motors, the translation members providing movement of a bin in at least two directions, as well as gates that allow or prevent the bin from translating across a tile to an adjacent tile. The gates can be controlled by gate motors. A controller having a processor and memory, the processor executes instructions stored in the memory to activate the translation motors and the gate motors in a predetermined sequence to move the bin from a first tile to a second tile.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery items includes sidewalls that define a cargo space. A retention assembly is operably coupled to the sidewalls. The retention assembly includes a housing and a retention feature that is operably coupled to the housing. The retention feature has an attachment portion and a control unit that is operably coupled with the retention feature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the control unit of the retention assembly, and a memory storage is communicatively coupled with the controller.

Abstract: A locking system for retractable and removable bins, and methods of use thereof, are provided. The locking system includes a retractable latch disposed within a carrier sized and shaped to receive one or more delivery bins. The locking system further includes a first retention feature disposed on the bin and configured to receive the latch in a first locked configuration where horizontal and vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is prohibited. Additionally, the locking system includes a second retention feature disposed on the bin distal to the first retention feature and configured to receive the latch in a second locked configuration. The second retention feature has an opening such that, in the second locked configuration, vertical movement of the bin relative to the latch is permitted to thereby remove the bin from the latch through the opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for administering a hazard condition warning during a package delivery operation are provided. The system includes one or more sensors, e.g., radar sensors or cameras, configured to detect a hazard condition in a vicinity of a delivery vehicle and to generate data indicative of the hazard condition. The system further includes an operator sensor configured to detect a location of an operator relative to the delivery vehicle and one or more indicators, e.g., lights, a mobile application installed on a mobile phone, or an HMI of the vehicle, configured to generate an alert corresponding to the hazard condition. A processor of the system may determine whether the hazard condition is present based on the data indicative of the hazard condition, and cause, based on a presence of the hazard condition and the detected location of the operator, the one or more indicators to generate the alert.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery items includes sidewalls that define a cargo space. A retention assembly is operably coupled to the sidewalls. The retention assembly includes a housing and a retention feature that is operably coupled to the housing. The retention feature has an attachment portion and a control unit that is operably coupled with the retention feature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the control unit of the retention assembly, and a memory storage is communicatively coupled with the controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow a smartphone to be used as an imaging device for undercarriage inspection of a moving vehicle are provided. The method may include locating the smartphone on the ground via one or more sensors of the vehicle. The vehicle may generate a path for the vehicle to drive over the smartphone based on the location of the smartphone, and optionally display the path to facilitate manual driving of the vehicle by the driver over the smartphone. Alternatively, the vehicle may self-drive to follow the path. The smartphone may capture image data indicative of the undercarriage of the vehicle, inspect and analyze the image data to identify one or more issues of the undercarriage of the vehicle, and transmit the analyzed image data to the vehicle for display. The driver may confirm the one or more issues and transmit the data to an inspection professional for additional assistance if needed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a package delivery sorting system onboard a vehicle includes loading, onboard a package sorting platform, a first package comprising a first fiducial marker, the package sorting platform disposed in a cargo hold of the package delivery vehicle, determining, via a processor, a package identity based on the first fiducial marker, determining, via the processor and based on the fiducial marker, a first package pose comprising a first package position and a first package orientation with respect to the package sorting platform, defining, via the processor, a first package geometry associated with the first package, and causing the sorting platform to position the first package, via the processor, to a second first package pose.

Abstract: A method for controlling a package delivery sorting system onboard a vehicle includes loading, onboard a package sorting platform, a first package comprising a first fiducial marker, the package sorting platform disposed in a cargo hold of the package delivery vehicle, determining, via a processor, a package identity based on the first, fiducial marker, determining, via the processor and based on the fiducial marker, a first package pose comprising a first package position and a first package orientation with respect to the package sorting platform, defining, via the processor, a first package geometry associated with the first package, and causing the sorting platform to position the first package, via the processor, to a second first package pose.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow a smartphone to be used as an imaging device for undercarriage inspection of a moving vehicle are provided. The method may include locating the smartphone on the ground via one or more sensors of the vehicle. The vehicle may generate a path for the vehicle to drive over the smartphone based on the location of the smartphone, and optionally display the path to facilitate manual driving of the vehicle by the driver over the smartphone. Alternatively, the vehicle may self-drive to follow the path. The smartphone may capture image data indicative of the undercarriage of the vehicle, inspect and analyze the image data to identify one or more issues of the undercarriage of the vehicle, and transmit the analyzed image data to the vehicle for display. The driver may confirm the one or more issues and transmit the data to an inspection professional for additional assistance if needed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for administering a hazard condition warning during a package delivery operation are provided. The system may include one or more sensors, e.g., radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or cameras, configured to detect a hazard condition in a vicinity of a delivery vehicle and to generate data indicative of the hazard condition. The system further includes an operator sensor configured to detect a location of an operator of the delivery vehicle relative to the delivery vehicle, and one or more indicators, e.g., lights, a mobile application installed on a mobile phone, or an HMI of the vehicle, configured to generate an alert corresponding to the hazard condition.

Abstract: A package lift assembly for a delivery vehicle includes a plurality of rods that define at least one shelf. The package lift assembly further includes upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and include a central receiving member. At least a portion of the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the central receiving member and the vertical guides. The motor assembly and the alteration assembly cooperate to translate the platform along the vertical guides and translate the central receiving member between a retrieval position and a holding position.