쿠팡 / spatial-indexing

Coupang Rocket Delivery’s spatial index-based delivery management system (opens in new tab)

Coupang’s Rocket Delivery system recently transitioned from a text-based postal code infrastructure to a sophisticated spatial index-based management system to handle increasing delivery density. By adopting Uber’s H3 hexagonal grid system, the engineering team enabled the visualization and precise segmentation of delivery areas that were previously too large for a single driver to manage. This move has transformed the delivery process into an intuitive, map-centric operation that allows for data-driven optimization and real-time area modifications. ### Limitations of Text-Based Postal Codes * While postal codes provided a government-standardized starting point, they became inefficient as delivery volumes grew from double to triple digits per code. * The lack of spatial data meant that segmenting a single postal code into smaller units, such as individual apartment complexes or buildings, required manual input from local experts familiar with the terrain. * Relying on text strings prevented the system from providing intuitive visual feedback or automated metrics for optimizing delivery routes. ### Adopting H3 for Geospatial Indexing * The team evaluated different spatial indexing systems, specifically comparing Google’s S2 (square-based) and Uber’s H3 (hexagon-based) frameworks. * H3 was chosen because hexagons provide a constant distance between the center of a cell and all six of its neighbors, which simplifies the modeling of movement and coverage. * The hexagonal structure minimizes "edge effect" distortions compared to squares or triangles, making it more accurate for calculating delivery radius and area density. ### Technical Redesign and Implementation * The system utilizes H3’s hierarchical indexing, allowing the platform to store delivery data at various resolutions to balance granularity with computational performance. * Delivery zones were converted from standard polygons into "hexagonized" groups, enabling the system to treat complex geographical shapes as sets of standardized cell IDs. * This transition allowed for the creation of a visual interface where camp leaders can modify delivery boundaries directly on a map, with changes reflected instantly across the logistics chain. By shifting to a spatial index, Coupang has decoupled its logistics logic from rigid administrative boundaries like postal codes. This technical foundation allows for more agile resource distribution and provides the scalability needed to handle the continued growth of high-density urban deliveries.

쿠팡 로켓배송: 공간 색인 기반의 새로운 배송 영역 관리 시스템 (opens in new tab)

Coupang transitioned its Rocket Delivery management from a text-based zip code system to a spatial index-based system using Uber’s H3 library. This shift addresses the limitations of zip codes, which became too coarse for high-density delivery areas, by enabling precise, map-based visualization and manipulation of delivery zones. By adopting a hexagonal grid-based approach, Coupang has improved operational flexibility and its ability to handle complex urban delivery environments. ### The Limitations of Zip Code Systems * Zip codes originally served as the base unit for Rocket Delivery, but as delivery volumes scaled, individual codes became too large for a single driver to manage. * Sub-dividing these areas (e.g., splitting a zip code into specific apartment complexes or even individual buildings) required the manual expertise of senior managers because text-based addresses lack inherent spatial intelligence. * The previous reliance on text made it difficult to visualize delivery boundaries or reassign areas quickly in response to changes in order volume. ### Implementing H3 for Geospatial Indexing * To modernize the system, Coupang adopted H3, a hexagonal hierarchical geospatial indexing system that converts geographic coordinates into unique cell identifiers. * Hexagons were selected over square grids because they provide uniform distances between the center of a cell and all its neighbors, which minimizes distortion in distance-based calculations. * The system uses H3’s hierarchical structure to manage different levels of detail, allowing the platform to aggregate small hexagonal units into larger, custom-defined delivery polygons. ### Technical Challenges in System Redesign * A primary engineering hurdle was selecting the optimal grid resolution to ensure cells were small enough to capture individual building footprints without creating excessive data overhead. * The team developed algorithms to transform groups of hexagonal indices into filled polygons, enabling camp managers to "draw" and modify delivery zones directly on a digital map. * By basing the system on spatial coordinates rather than administrative text, the platform can dynamically adjust to urban changes, such as the construction of new high-rises or the demolition of old structures. Transitioning from text-based addressing to hexagonal indexing allows logistics platforms to move beyond the constraints of administrative boundaries. For high-density urban delivery services, adopting a spatial-first infrastructure like H3 is a necessary step to ensure scalability and operational precision.