⤵Loading the van

When the van arrives to the warehouse, it can be loaded. The employees scan the NFC tag in the module, and the van shows them through light-feedback where the module should be placed. All lights are red at first, but the spot where the module should go turns yellow. Once the module is placed in the right spot, a confirmation light flashes green. After which the light turns red again, indicating it does not want to be touched anymore. The electromagnets under the rail keep the modules locked to the van.

🚚Driving a route

While driving, the van drives a predetermined route, in order to optimise it's function as a hub for the other courriers.

⚠Recognising the messenger

When approaching by a messenger, RFID technology warns the van driver that the messenger is approaching. A vibration in his smartwatch indicates that there is new information. His wearable starts flashing red, indicating to the driver that he should stop as soon as possible. By pressing the wearable the driver can indicate he has received the signal. The messengers device flashes confirmation-green and turns off.

🔄Swapping modules

The empty spot on the rack where the module is supposed to go will turn orange, allowing the module to be put back. As soon as the magnets make contact the electromagnetic field makes them stick together tight. The light flashes green since users prefer to have a confirmation signal. Then it turns red to indicate the module should not be touched again.

RFID technology recognised the messenger, and stop certain electromagnetic magnets from making their modules snap to the rack, therefore allowing it to be taken off. The modules will turn green to identify themselves to the messenger.

While the messenger is swapping his or hers modules, the van driver has to wait for a bit.

✅Deliveries

When it is time for the module to arrive, the messenger will be standing in front of your door at the predetermined time and hand over the module. Due to the flexibilty of the modular system (each free messenger can just pick up your module), great precision in delivery times can be achieved. When the messenger comes to the door, empty modules can be handed back, possibly filled with return packages. Consumers will have indicated whether this is the case beforehand. Messengers scan the NFC chip to confirm that they have indeed received the module.

The van is especially useful for delivering odd-sized luggage that does not fit within the modules. This is what the grey storage space in the middle of the van is for. Furthermore it can deliver big and heavy modules, especially if there are multiple of those for one address. An example of this is groceries.

🔃Refill

When returning to the distribution warehouse, scaning the NFC tag indicates whether modules contain return items. These returns go on a seperate conveyer belt, were they will be send back into the delivery chain. The then empty modules are either stored away, or put back to be filled up again.

Here this journey ends, to see another one, click on this link back to the main page.

Ford Consolidated Delivery Platform