Autonomous UAV Delivery Routing for Final-Mile Obstacle Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The final mile delivery of physical items to user-specified locations is inefficient, relying on human-operated vehicles which can be slow and labor-intensive, lacking the capability for autonomous and rapid delivery solutions.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that autonomously retrieves items from a source location, computes a route, and delivers them to a specified location, using communication with other UAVs and environmental data to navigate and avoid obstacles, and can land safely at attended or unattended locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If human-operated vehicles are used for final mile delivery, then delivery can be completed with simple technology, but delivery speed and efficiency are slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human-operated mechanical vehicles with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that uses autonomous navigation, GPS guidance, and automated control systems. This substitution of mechanical human-driven delivery with automated aerial delivery directly addresses the contradiction by dramatically increasing delivery speed while accepting the necessary complexity of autonomous systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities, including GPS receivers, inertial measurement units, and onboard computing systems that enable it to independently compute routes, navigate to delivery locations, and complete deliveries without human intervention. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by enabling rapid autonomous delivery while managing system complexity through automation.
2Productivity
If human drivers are used for delivery, then operation is simple and familiar, but labor costs are high and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV performs the complete delivery task autonomously, from receiving delivery parameters to navigating and completing the delivery. The system includes onboard computers that automatically compute routes, sensors that detect environmental conditions, and control systems that execute deliveries without human operation. This eliminates labor costs and increases productivity while the complexity is managed through integrated autonomous systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV incorporates sensors, cameras, and communication systems that continuously monitor environmental conditions, track position, and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the UAV to adapt to changing conditions, avoid obstacles, and complete deliveries accurately, resolving the contradiction by enabling high-productivity autonomous operation with intelligent control.
3Measurement precision
If UAVs navigate through complex environments, then delivery precision is improved, but safety risks from obstacles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV employs onboard sensors, cameras, and detection systems that continuously scan the environment before and during flight to identify potential obstacles such as birds, other aircraft, or ground objects. The system takes preliminary protective actions by computing alternative routes or adjusting flight parameters to avoid detected hazards, thereby maintaining delivery precision while mitigating safety risks through advance obstacle detection and avoidance.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.