Methods and systems for transportation using unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for transporting a payload is provided. The UAV comprises a body and one or more propellers rotatably connected to the body. The UAV further comprises a battery mounted to the body. The battery is releasable from the bottom of the UAV. The UAV further comprises a payload container mounted to the body. The payload container is releasable from the bottom of the UAV to a landing platform associated with a UAV station.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 253,627, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSPORTATION USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE,” filed on Nov. 10, 2015, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). More particularly, the present disclosure relates to payload transportation using UAVs and mobile UAV stations.BACKGROUND[0003]Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones are increasingly being used for various personal or commercial applications. For example, UAVs may be used for transportation packages in local neighborhoods. Nowadays, transportation of packages in local neighborhoods heavily relies on ground infrastructures using transporting vehicles such as delivery trucks. For example, to deliver 20 packages in a neighborhood, a delivery truck driver typically needs...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and apparatus for using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport a payload. The method involves receiving a first input indicating the takeoff location of the UAV and a second input indicating the landing location of the payload. The portable electronic device obtains an identification of the payload based on the first input and the identification of the container for housing the payload based on the second input. The portable electronic device provides the first identification to the UAV service and obtains a flight route for the UAV based on the identification. The UAV flies to the destination and releases the payload from the container. The method allows for precise landing of the UAV on a landing platform and ensures safe transportation of the payload.

Problems solved by technology

While UAVs are being used to deliver packages in the recent years, they are limited by the range of flight because they are usually launched from a fix distribution facility.

As a result, the current UAV transportation systems may not be flexible to deliver packages to a widespread area such as a city or multiple neighborhoods.

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