This idea is based on an analogy with blood flowing through our body delivering substances here and there.Imagine that there is a separate underground set of pipes in a town (presumably flat) and that in this system of pipes there is a current of water flowing, like blood in arteries. The water flows in a closed circuit. You could use this to deliver parcels, which would be waterproof and float on the water. The address would be coded on the parcel so as to be read electronically and here and there there would be branching "gates" that would automatically sort the parcels based on the address. Physical addresses would have a little portand a lift to pick up or drop a parcel.This would be a lot faster than the postal system. It could work for a large factory as well.
I agree
No opinion
I disagree
Add your comment
If it was big enough you could float on little canoes to go to work or shopping.
You'd have to ensure parcels don't get stolen, and the system is maintained.
Something similar has occured to me. I wonder if it could actually work, though. The idea reminds me of that old-fashioned vaccum-powered messaging tubing system. (What's it called?)
eastriver -are you referring to Pneumatic Tubes?found in 1950-70's department stores and still in use today throughout many hospitals?I think there was a referrence to it in a movie (along with the automat).
Yes, thank you Kim P. You have cured me of my tip-of-the-tongueitis. Pneumatic tubes. I am actually best acquainted with the technology through its use in the grand New York Public Library. I also read a great article about its history in a technology magazine a couple of years ago.
In a recent episode of the "Red Green Show" - a CBC production, i believe - the host converted his wife's central vaccuum system into a such a pneumatic system. quite hilarious.
Very cool, but expensive and complicated. Pipes would limit the maximum size of parcels, pneumatics would require a minimum size to form a seal.
In factories many times they use path-guided robots for delivery, which follow a signal from cable embedded in the floor.