Autonomous Ground Vehicle Drone Delivery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current package delivery methods are inefficient as they often rely on human drivers to navigate and deliver packages, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when delivering multiple packages in a neighborhood.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous ground vehicle equipped with multiple drones that can ride and charge within the vehicle, optimizing delivery routes to allow drones to autonomously deliver packages while the vehicle remains stationary, reducing the need for repeated trips and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a human driver delivers packages by driving to each location and walking with packages, then delivery can be completed, but delivery time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into two independent components: an autonomous ground vehicle that transports multiple packages to a neighborhood, and autonomous drones that individually deliver packages to specific locations. This segmentation allows parallel operations where the ground vehicle remains stationary while multiple drones simultaneously deliver to multiple destinations, dramatically improving delivery efficiency and reducing total delivery time
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous ground vehicle serves as an intermediary mobile base that carries multiple drones and packages. Instead of drones flying directly from a remote warehouse to each destination, the ground vehicle acts as a local hub that reduces the flight distance for drones, enabling faster deliveries while the vehicle handles the bulk transportation of multiple packages
2Speed
If a drone delivers packages directly from a warehouse to each destination, then delivery speed improves, but the drone must make repeated trips increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous ground vehicle performs preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple drones and their packages at a strategic location within the delivery neighborhood. This eliminates the need for drones to return to a distant warehouse between deliveries, as all necessary packages and drones are already staged at the ground vehicle, significantly reducing energy consumption from repeated long-distance flights
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the transportation function of the ground vehicle with the delivery function of drones. The ground vehicle transports multiple packages to a neighborhood and remains stationary, while drones are deployed from this combined platform to deliver packages. This merging allows the system to achieve both the speed of direct drone delivery and the energy efficiency of reduced flight distances
3Productivity
If an automated vehicle carries multiple packages to a neighborhood and remains stationary, then delivery efficiency increases, but the system complexity increases due to coordinating multiple drones
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous ground vehicle and drones are equipped with self-service capabilities through autonomous navigation and docking systems. The ground vehicle automatically positions itself at optimal locations, and drones autonomously navigate to and from the vehicle for charging and package retrieval. This self-service automation reduces the need for complex external coordination systems while maintaining high delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the ground vehicle and drones communicate their status, location, and package delivery progress in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic coordination and optimization of delivery routes and drone deployment timing, managing system complexity through intelligent control rather than rigid pre-planning
Data Source
AI summary
A method for package delivery includes identifying a plurality of delivery locations for package delivery. The method includes determining a driving route for an automated ground vehicle to optimize delivery to the delivery locations using one or more automated aerial vehicles. The method includes controlling the automated ground vehicle to navigate the delivery route. The method further includes determining timing for release of the one or more automated aerial vehicles during navigation of the delivery route to deliver packages to the plurality of delivery locations.