Public Transit Drone Delivery for Battery Range Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional doorstep delivery methods are inefficient and costly, especially in less populated areas, and face challenges with high warehousing costs and congestion in densely populated areas, while drone delivery is limited by battery range and traffic concerns.
Innovation Solution
Integration of public transportation infrastructure to extend drone delivery range by using buses and other vehicles to transport drones and packages to terminals, where drones can then deliver to specific locations, including hard-to-reach areas like rooftops and backyards, using geolocation and existing infrastructure to optimize routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional doorstep delivery is used in less populated areas, then delivery coverage is maintained, but delivery time increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into multiple components: central facilities for package consolidation, public transportation vehicles for transport to terminals, and drones for final delivery. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function, with drones handling only the final leg of delivery, thereby improving overall efficiency while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Public transportation infrastructure acts as an intermediary between central facilities and final delivery locations. Buses and other vehicles transport packages to terminals, where drones then complete the delivery. This intermediary system extends drone range without requiring drones to travel entire distances, improving productivity while minimizing time loss.
2Speed
If drone delivery is used directly from warehouses, then delivery speed is fast, but battery range is limited and setup costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
Packages are pre-positioned at public transportation terminals before drone delivery begins. This preliminary action allows drones to start from locations closer to final destinations, effectively extending their operational range without requiring larger batteries, while maintaining fast delivery speeds for the final leg.
Solution Approach 2:
Public transportation vehicles serve as mobile intermediaries that transport packages to terminals near delivery locations. This allows drones to operate from multiple distributed points rather than a single warehouse, effectively extending their range while maintaining fast delivery speeds for the final delivery segment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drones operate independently without infrastructure support, then delivery flexibility is high, but traffic congestion increases and setup costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing public transportation infrastructure that already serves the community, rather than requiring dedicated drone infrastructure. This self-service approach uses existing roads, terminals, and schedules, maintaining delivery flexibility while avoiding additional traffic congestion and reducing setup costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Public transportation terminals and vehicles serve multiple functions: they transport passengers, deliver packages, and act as drone launch/landing sites. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high adaptability and flexibility while utilizing existing infrastructure, thereby avoiding additional traffic congestion and reducing setup costs.
4Area of stationary object
If more drones are deployed to cover more areas, then delivery coverage increases, but drone traffic increases and battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-dimension model (drones flying directly from warehouses) to a multi-dimensional model utilizing public transportation routes. Packages are transported via ground vehicles to multiple terminals along established routes, and drones operate from these distributed terminals, expanding coverage area without proportionally increasing drone traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
Public transportation vehicles act as intermediaries that consolidate and transport multiple packages to various terminals. This allows a single drone at each terminal to serve multiple destinations in its vicinity, expanding delivery coverage while minimizing the number of drones needed and reducing overall drone traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for public transport infrastructure facilitated drone delivery are provided. In example embodiments, a request to deliver a package to a drop-off destination using a drone is received. Public infrastructure information is accessed. A public infrastructure terminal from which the drone delivers the package is identified based on the public infrastructure information. An instruction is communicated to transport the package to the identified public. A drone delivery route from the identified public infrastructure terminal to the drop-off destination is determined based on the public infrastructure information. An instruction to deliver the package using the drone delivery route is communicated to the drone.