Hitchhiking Drone Routing via Autonomous Vehicle Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drones for delivery are limited by short travel distances, flight times, and are not economically viable due to added weight, and are affected by environmental factors such as wind speed and altitude, making them unsuitable for scalable and efficient delivery solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a server system to coordinate drone flight paths by integrating with autonomous vehicles, allowing drones to hitchhike on vehicle routes, optimizing flight paths through docking segments, and adjusting for environmental factors to extend range and reduce flight time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drones are used for delivery, then delivery capability is provided, but travel distance is limited to less than 1.9 miles and flight time under 26 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces autonomous vehicles as intermediary platforms that drones can hitchhike on. The server system coordinates drone flight paths with vehicle routes, allowing drones to transfer between vehicles at docking segments. This mediator approach enables drones to travel distances far exceeding their individual flight ranges while maintaining delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the overall delivery journey into multiple segments: drone flies to vehicle, transfers to vehicle, vehicle transports to docking segment, drone transfers to next vehicle or flies to destination. This segmentation allows the system to overcome individual drone range limitations by distributing the travel across multiple carriers.
2Productivity
If drones are used for delivery, then delivery capability is provided, but flight time is limited to under 26 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
Autonomous vehicles serve as mobile charging stations and transfer platforms. Drones can recharge during transfers between vehicles, effectively extending their operational duration. The server system coordinates these recharging stops to minimize total delivery time while ensuring drones have sufficient charge for each flight segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The server system pre-coordinates drone flight paths with vehicle routes and schedules transfers at optimal docking segments. This preliminary planning ensures drones arrive at transfer points with adequate charge and minimal waiting time, optimizing the overall delivery duration.
3Productivity
If drones carry packages, then delivery function is achieved, but travel distance and flight time are reduced due to added weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses autonomous vehicles as intermediaries to carry the bulk of the transport distance while drones provide first-mile and last-mile delivery. Drones only need to fly short distances to and from vehicles, so package weight has minimal impact on their already-limited range. Vehicles handle the long-distance transport of packages without weight constraints.
4Adaptability or versatility
If drones operate independently, then delivery flexibility is maintained, but environmental factors such as wind speed and altitude limit operational viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server system as an intelligent intermediary that processes environmental data and coordinates drone-vehicle transfers. The server receives weather forecasts, real-time wind data, and altitude information, then optimizes flight paths and transfer timing to avoid adverse conditions. Vehicles provide sheltered transfer environments, protecting drones from environmental extremes during docking.
Data Source
AI summary
A drone flight plan between an origin and destination is evaluated with respect to planned routes of connected vehicles. The drone flight path is calculated such that it includes one or more docking segments on one or more vehicles. For multiple vehicles, multiple permutations of docking segments may be evaluated and assigned scores according to risk, drone flying time, timing issues, and other factors. A permutation having a score indicating higher desirability may be selected. The one or more vehicles may be autonomous and routes of the one or more vehicles may be adjusted in order to provide suitable docking segments for the drone flight path. The destination of the drone flight path may also be adjusted in order to permit docking on one or more vehicles.