UAV Logistics Network With Ground Stations for Congestion-Free Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current transportation systems, especially in urban and developing regions, face inefficiencies due to congestion and lack of infrastructure, leading to increased costs and delays in delivering goods and services, while existing solutions are inflexible and energy-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A modular and scalable logistics system utilizing autonomous and remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for air transportation, integrated with ground stations and logistics software for navigation, routing, and package management, which reduces reliance on road infrastructure and enhances delivery efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ground transportation networks are used for delivering goods in urban areas, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but congestion increases and delivery efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the transportation system from two-dimensional ground-based routes to three-dimensional aerial pathways. Drones operate in the air space above urban areas, completely changing the dimensional plane of transportation to avoid ground congestion and enable direct point-to-point delivery routes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces ground stations as intermediary nodes between origin and destination. These stations serve as hubs where packages are transferred to and from drones, enabling efficient last-mile delivery while maintaining infrastructure support points for charging, navigation, and package handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If road infrastructure is expanded to handle increased transportation demand, then capacity increases, but construction costs and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure material

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical road infrastructure system with an aerial drone-based transportation system. Instead of expanding physical roads requiring concrete, asphalt, and steel, the system uses electrically-powered drones that require minimal ground infrastructure—primarily small ground stations for charging and navigation support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If traditional courier systems use hub-and-spoke models, then cost efficiency improves for aggregated shipments, but last-mile delivery efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost efficiencyVSAvoidlast-mile delivery speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the delivery process into distinct phases: bulk transport to ground station hubs using existing logistics networks, and final delivery using autonomous drones. This segmentation allows aggregation efficiency at hub level while achieving rapid last-mile delivery through direct drone flight to final destinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic routing capabilities where drones can adapt their flight paths in real-time based on weather conditions, traffic patterns, and destination requirements. This dynamic operation enables both cost efficiency through optimized routes and speed through direct paths that don't follow fixed ground infrastructure constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If autonomous navigation systems are implemented in UAVs, then operational efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ground stations as intermediary systems that handle complex navigation computations and communication relay. The ground stations provide centralized control, weather data integration, and route optimization, allowing the UAVs themselves to have simpler onboard navigation systems while maintaining high operational efficiency through the ground-based support infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12131656B2Transportation using network of unmanned aerial vehicles

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 SINGULARITY UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Embodiments described herein include a delivery system having unmanned aerial delivery vehicles and a logistics network for control and monitoring. In certain embodiments, a ground station provides a location for interfacing between the delivery vehicles, packages carried by the vehicles and users. In certain embodiments, the delivery vehicles autonomously navigate from one ground station to another. In certain embodiments, the ground stations provide navigational aids that help the delivery vehicles locate the position of the ground station with increased accuracy.