Drone Package Transfer via Roadway Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone management systems are inefficient due to drones' limited operation range, as charging stations may not be optimally placed along their travel routes, and vehicles may not be available to transport drones to their destinations, leading to a high likelihood of task failure.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that assigns tasks to drones, uses roadway traffic data to determine when to transfer packages between drones, and coordinates package handovers between drones docked on different roadway vehicles to ensure successful task completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drones are assigned tasks to transport packages to destinations, then package delivery service is provided, but drones have limited operation range due to limited power source
Solution Approach 1:
Roadway vehicles serve as intermediary carriers that transport drones to destinations beyond their flight range. The system assigns drones to tasks, monitors their progress, and when a drone cannot reach its destination with remaining power, the system identifies a roadway vehicle traveling along the drone's route to complete the transport
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts drone task completion strategies based on real-time conditions. It continuously monitors drone power levels, calculates remaining ranges, and dynamically determines whether a drone can complete its task or needs roadway vehicle assistance, making adaptive decisions during task execution
2Duration of action of moving object
If charging stations are placed to extend drone operation range, then drones can travel farther, but charging stations may not exist in drone travel routes making the solution inflexible and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing roadway vehicles that serve multiple purposes (commuting, delivery, transport) to assist drones, rather than requiring dedicated charging stations. This multi-functional approach allows any roadway vehicle traveling along a drone's route to potentially assist, providing flexibility across diverse routes without infrastructure modifications
Solution Approach 2:
Roadway vehicles act as mobile intermediaries that bridge the gap between drone capabilities and destination requirements. Instead of fixed charging stations, the system leverages the existing fleet of roadway vehicles to provide extended range capability adaptively across different locations and routes
3Productivity
If vehicles are selected to carry drones closer to destinations, then drone transport capability is improved, but there may not be a vehicle available to carry the drone towards the destination
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring drone task progress, calculating remaining power and range, and comparing it against destination requirements. This feedback loop enables real-time decision-making about whether roadway vehicle assistance is needed, ensuring reliable task completion while optimizing resource utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies when drone assistance is needed and self-selects appropriate roadway vehicles based on their routes and availability, without requiring manual intervention. The roadway vehicles themselves are selected based on their existing travel plans, making the system self-organizing and reliable
4Ease of operation
If a vehicle transports a drone to a point closer to destination, then partial progress is made, but the distance remaining may still exceed drone flight capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the exact point where a drone should transfer to a roadway vehicle, ensuring that the remaining distance is within the drone's capabilities. It proactively identifies the optimal transfer point before the drone exhausts its power, preventing task failure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the likelihood of successful drone task completion by enabling collaborative task reassignment and package transfer based on real-time traffic data, maximizing vehicle utilization and reducing the need for additional vehicles, thus minimizing traffic congestion and emission.
Implementation Method 1
wirelessly communicating a request to transfer the first package to the second drone
Implementation Method 2
wirelessly receiving a response to the request accepting the transfer of the first package
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method may assign a first drone of a drone network a first task, the first task may instruct the first drone to transport a first package to a first destination in a geographic area. The method may receive roadway traffic data for a plurality of roadway vehicles in the geographic area; determine, based on the roadway traffic data and during transit of the first package to the first destination by the first drone, to transfer the first package to a second drone in the drone network; and transfer the first package to the second drone in the drone network.