Steven J Stark

US Patent:

20230039236, Feb 9, 2023

Filed:

Aug 4, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/394288

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Shan Chy Chueh - Ypsilanti MI, US
John Randolph Vincent - Livonia MI, US
Steven Stark - Northville MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
B65B 65/00
B65B 65/02
B65B 35/54

Abstract:

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods to handle packages transported in a delivery vehicle. In an example embodiment, a computer that is provided in a vehicle receives a command related to delivery of a package. The command may be associated, for example, with rerouting of the vehicle due to various reasons such as, for example, due to a change in a delivery schedule and/or a delivery priority. The computer may respond to the command by operating an unmanned package moving apparatus to move the package from one location in a cargo area of the vehicle to another location in the cargo area while the vehicle is in motion and prior to the vehicle reaching a delivery destination for the package. In an example implementation, the unmanned package moving apparatus includes a bed of rollers that are operated by servomotors under control of the computer.