Personal Mailboxes
| Brainstorm Main | Package Receiving Concepts | Package Delivery Concepts | Personal Mailbox Concepts |
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The Operational Environment
Focus on deliveries that go to houses with some kind of lawn/backyard and/or curbside location.
This EXCLUDES: apartments, multi-person complexes or houses in heavily populated environment without requirements above.
The environment offers possible space for a drone to land for delivery whether on the house or in the back/front yard or mailbox as drop off point.
- Examples of Envisioned Operational Environment
Lot 2 Kidston Cove, http://www.houseandlandsolutions.com.au/
Personal Mailbox Concepts
Those with a ***(star)*** are considered for testing.
Concept 1 - The Birdhouse / Package Perch
| Concept Description: This is basically like a mailbox on a pole. The mailbox has a climbing mechanism to go up and down the pole after a package delivery has been made. This mailbox is slightly larger than the packages delivered by drone.
How it works:Running through the scenario, the mailbox is perched up at the top of the pole. When a drone is making a delivery is sends a transponder signal. Upon receiving this signal the mailbox opens and stays open until the signal transmission stops. The drone then hovers above the mailbox and drop the package by means of a dropping mechanism (ie. electromagnet or just dropping). After the drone completes drone and leaves, the signal stops and the lid closes and secures. Then the mailbox unlocks from the pole and gradually makes decent until it has reached the ground (or designated height) and locks into place for security. A person with the key can then either manually open the lid with the key or use the built in transponder to unlock the box to retrieve the package. Upon locking again the mailbox goes back up to its perch. |
Components:
Keys
Pole |
Mini-SWOT analysis:
Strengths
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Weakness |
| Opportunities | Threats |
Requirement Assessment: ie. fulfills 11/20 requirements of which all functional requirements are covered well
Thoughts/Considerations:
Concept 2 - Best of Both Worlds
| Concept Description: This mailbox can receive normal package delivery as well as drone delivery and also normal post. It is a curbside mailbox which has has a mail slot & package box combined.
How it works: When a drone is making a delivery is sends a transponder signal or lands on the 4 contact points located on the top of the mailbox. Upon receiving the signal the mailbox opens and stays open until the signal transmission stops. The drone then drops the package into the mailbox. After the drone completes delivery and leaves, the signal stops and the lid closes and secures. A person with the key can then open the package box door to retrieve the package. Also, this mailbox through use of the universal keys carried then by USPS couriers can also open the mailbox to deliver packages and post in the mail slot. |
Components:
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Mini-SWOT analysis:
Strengths
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Weakness |
| Opportunities | Threats |
Concept 3 - Package Tote
| Concept Description: This concept is targeted at immediate Prime Air Users which will be expecting the 30 min. deliveries and will be there when packages arrive. The idea is for a portable tote concept which can be placed outside when delivery is expected.
How it Works: When person has made delivery selection & waits on the 30 minute delivery, they set their tote OPEN outside in an open area for the drone delivery to be made. When the drone approaches it searches for the signal of the tote and hovers over and drops the package in the tote, which in turn closes to secure package delivery. Person can get tote immediately, or if package is forgotten it is at least safe in the tote. Opening the tote requires key. |
Components: Tote
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Requirement Assessment:
Thoughts and considerations: Nice idea, but the packages delivered are already in a plastic carrier why would it need an extra one?
Concept 4 - The Window Basket
- can be removable & placed in various locations - possible target are the immediate prime air users
Concept 5 - The Package Chute
Concept Description: Much like a laundry shoot, but angled and located somewhere between the roof of a house and drywall, this concept utilizes gravity to get the package to a secure box.
How it works: With a hole created in the roof of a house, with sensor rigged opening mechanism, a drone signals for the slot to open. Upon opening, the drone hovers over (or lands on) the roof at the package drop location and drops the package in. The drone leaves, retracting its transponder signal and the package slot closes. In the meantime, since the chute is angled, the package slides down and ends up a package cubby located in a room. This cubby can be unlocked with a key to retrieve the package.
Concept 6 - Collapsible Drone "Chimney"
- Slurf die ook op kan vouwen en mee naar binnen kan?
Weather resistance? people being there to use it
Concept 7 - Clothing Line
Drone clips tote onto clothing line spanning from some location