Vehicle-borne Systems
Each of the delivery vehicles will be fitted with sophisticated systems that provide:
- position tracking
- wireless communications
- battery monitoring systems
- RFID sensors capable of identifying the delivery boxes
- automated box presentation in specialist cases
Position Tracking
The location of each vehicle will be tracked to the nearest metre or two at all times via sensitive GPS systems. A further set of sensors will be used to align a vehicle precisely with a loading bay. These will be fully automated and the accurate positioning of the vehicle - with the exact stopping position controlled automatically - will allow very rapid loading and unloading of the OmniPods that fit onto the chassis of the vehicles.
The position and speed of the vehicles is tracked not just to provide accurate estimates of arrival times but also
- to build up a full picture of the variability of journey times so that route planning can be optimised and contingency planning improved
- to match battery load to speed and acceleration, so that the optimum speed and driving pattern can be judged for any route, payload weight etc. Over time, these factors will be built into semi- and eventually fully-automatic driving systems.
Wireless Communications
Each vehicle will be in communication with the LocalHub via cellular or Wi-Fi connection and with each of the staff members that are working on it. Close proximity of a staff member to the box they are meant to take next will release the box - ensuring it is securely held until the last possible moment.
Battery Monitoring
As the van progresses on its route, the battery drain (and recharge on braking) will be carefully recorded as are the characteristics of each of the batteries on board. (Recall that most batteries are not part of the vehicle but part of the payload and hence variable in number).
RFID Sensors
Contactless sensors on board sense exactly where each box is within the OmniPod at all times.
Automated Box Presentation
It may be appropriate for some vehicles to include automated box moving devices - which present the next box to be delivered at a hatch so the delivery staff just lift the next one out each time rather than have to reach in and pull a number of boxes forward every so often. This is probably only justified for delivery of special items e.g. of high value or perhaps frozen goods where the OmniPod is largely sealed.