Autonomous UAV Inventory Handoff for Last-Mile Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery methods rely on human-operated vehicles for the last mile of delivery, which can be inefficient and prone to delays, especially in navigating complex environments and avoiding obstacles like humans and animals.
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 optimize navigation and safety, and includes mechanisms for secure engagement and disengagement of inventory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human-operated vehicles are used for last mile delivery, then delivery can be completed with simple technology, but delivery efficiency is reduced and delivery time increases due to navigation challenges and obstacle avoidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human-operated mechanical vehicles with autonomous aerial vehicles that use electronic navigation systems, sensors, and automated control mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for human drivers while improving delivery efficiency through optimized routing and faster travel times.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerial vehicles are equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities, obstacle detection systems, and automated delivery mechanisms that enable them to operate independently without human intervention. The vehicles can navigate complex environments, avoid obstacles, and complete deliveries autonomously.
2Reliability
If human drivers are used for delivery, then the delivery system is simple to operate, but the system is prone to delays and safety issues when navigating complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous aerial vehicles incorporate multiple sensors (cameras, LIDAR, GPS) that continuously monitor the environment and provide real-time feedback to the navigation system. This feedback enables the vehicles to detect obstacles, adjust their paths, and avoid collisions, significantly improving delivery reliability in complex environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an autonomous control system as an intermediary between the vehicle's propulsion system and the environment. This control system processes sensor data, makes navigation decisions, and coordinates vehicle operations, enabling reliable autonomous operation without requiring human drivers.
3Loss of time
If traditional ground-based delivery methods are used, then infrastructure requirements are minimal, but delivery time and efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based two-dimensional delivery to three-dimensional aerial delivery. By operating in the air space above ground level, the vehicles can bypass traffic congestion, navigate directly to destinations, and access locations that are difficult or impossible to reach by ground vehicles, dramatically reducing delivery time.
Data Source
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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.