Autonomous Cargo Delivery Using Aircraft-UGV Relay Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cargo delivery in hazardous field conditions, such as precision airdrop and unmanned aerial vehicles, face challenges with unobstructed flight paths and limited navigation capabilities in austere environments, exposing personnel to risks and failing to provide reliable long-distance delivery.
Innovation Solution
A package delivery system comprising a land vehicle equipped with sensors and communication transceivers, coupled with a perception system on an aircraft, enables autonomous navigation and obstacle detection, allowing for secure and efficient delivery to ground personnel through a human-system interface that prioritizes navigational commands and provides real-time video feeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precision airdrop is used to deliver packages to designated waypoints, then delivery precision is improved, but ground personnel are exposed to unwanted attention and harm when gathering packages from open areas
Solution Approach 1:
An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is introduced as an intermediary between the aircraft and ground personnel. The UGV retrieves packages from the aircraft in open areas and delivers them to covered locations, eliminating the need for personnel to gather packages from exposed areas while maintaining delivery precision
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery process is segmented into two independent phases: aerial delivery to open areas (maintaining precision) and ground-based UGV delivery to covered locations (reducing exposure). This segmentation allows each phase to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UGVs are used to navigate to covered locations, then exposure of ground personnel is reduced, but obstacles such as streams, ravines, and buildings prohibit access to waypoints
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple delivery methods (precision airdrop and UGV navigation) into a universal delivery platform that can adapt to different terrain conditions. The UGV handles ground-based delivery to covered locations, while the aircraft handles long-distance transport, creating a multi-functional system that overcomes the limitations of either method alone
Solution Approach 2:
The UGV acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between aerial delivery capability and ground-based coverage requirements, enabling access to locations that would be inaccessible to either aircraft or ground vehicles alone by combining their respective strengths
3Adaptability or versatility
If aircraft are used for long distance travel to waypoints, then navigation capability is improved, but unobstructed flight paths are required which expose personnel to harm
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery mission is segmented into an aerial phase (aircraft transporting UGV to general area) and a ground phase (UGV completing delivery to covered location). This segmentation allows the aircraft to provide long-distance navigation capability while the UGV handles the final delivery without exposing personnel to harm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for enabling unmanned and optionally-manned cargo delivery to personnel on the ground. For example, an aircraft may be used to provide rapid response cargo delivery to widely separated small units in demanding and unpredictable conditions that pose unacceptable risks to both ground resupply personnel and aircrew. Together with a ground vehicle, packages from the aircraft may be deployed to ground personnel in disbursed operating locations without exposing the ground personnel to the aircraft's open landing zone.