UAV Delivery Route Control With Dynamic Truck Return Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional package delivery methods using delivery trucks are limited by the speed at which drivers can deliver packages, preventing simultaneous delivery to multiple locations and increasing the risk of damage or injury during UAV operations.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery control system that automatically manages UAV operations to deliver packages along airborne routes, adjusting for dynamic environments and FAA guidelines, allowing simultaneous package delivery with trucks and flexible return destinations to enhance delivery efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional delivery trucks are used to deliver packages, then delivery operations are simple and safe, but delivery speed is limited by driver pace and simultaneous delivery to multiple locations is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into two independent components: a delivery truck for transporting packages and UAVs for actual package delivery. The truck delivers packages to various locations along its route while UAVs are deployed from the truck to deliver packages to specific delivery locations, enabling parallel operations and significantly increasing delivery productivity without requiring the entire system to become complex
Solution Approach 2:
UAVs serve as an intermediary between the delivery truck and the final delivery location. The truck acts as a mobile base that transports packages and deploys UAVs, which then autonomously complete the final delivery leg. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve high-speed delivery while the truck maintains its simple, safe operational characteristics
2Productivity
If UAVs are deployed to deliver packages simultaneously with the truck, then delivery efficiency increases, but the risk of damage to property and injury increases due to UAV maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the delivery truck transport packages to locations near the final delivery points before deploying UAVs. The truck positions packages at strategic locations along its route, and UAVs are deployed from these positioned locations to complete the final delivery. This preliminary positioning by the truck reduces the distance and complexity of UAV maneuvers, maintaining safety while enabling simultaneous delivery operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system cushions against safety risks by using the delivery truck as a stable, safe base that handles the bulk of transport. The truck's robust platform provides a safe operating base, and only when necessary does it deploy UAVs for the final leg. This layered approach cushions the overall system against the inherent risks of UAV operation while still achieving high delivery efficiency
3Productivity
If the UAV returns to the original delivery truck location, then operational simplicity is maintained, but delivery route optimization is limited when the truck has moved to a different location
Solution Approach 1:
The return destination for UAVs is made dynamic rather than fixed. Instead of always returning to the original departure point, the system allows UAVs to return to the truck's current location, which changes as the truck progresses along its delivery route. This dynamic adaptation enables continuous route optimization without requiring complex pre-planning, as the truck and UAVs continuously coordinate their positions and return destinations throughout the delivery process
Data Source
AI summary
A UAV delivery control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the UAV as the UAV maneuvers along an airborne delivery route. A UAV operation controller monitors UAV route parameters as the UAV maneuvers along the airborne delivery route. The UAV route parameters are indicative as to a current environment of the airborne delivery route that the UAV is encountering. The UAV operation controller automatically adjusts the operation of the UAV to maintain the operation of the UAV within an operation threshold based on the operation parameters and the UAV route parameters. The operation threshold is the operation of the UAV that is maintained within an overall airborne operation radius of the UAV from a return destination thereby enabling the UAV to execute the delivery of the package along the airborne delivery route and to return to the return destination.