Vehicle-Drone Dispatch Routing for UAV Range Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drone delivery systems are limited by the round-trip range of UAVs, requiring numerous sorting facilities to cover large areas and are inefficient in the last leg of delivery, which often relies on human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vehicle and drone management system where land vehicles transport packages from a warehouse to dispatch locations, and UAVs perform the last leg of delivery to final destinations, optimizing cargo capacity and delivery range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If drone delivery systems are used to cover large geographic areas, then delivery range is improved, but the number of sorting facilities required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a road vehicle as an intermediary carrier that transports packages from the central sorting facility to dispatch locations near delivery destinations. This mediator extends the effective delivery range of drones without requiring additional sorting facilities, as the road vehicle serves as a mobile base for multiple drone operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery process is segmented into two distinct phases: ground transport by road vehicle for long-distance coverage, and aerial delivery by drone for the final leg. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its optimal range, extending overall coverage without proportionally increasing infrastructure.
2Extent of automation
If drones perform the entire delivery operation, then automation is improved, but cargo capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capabilities of road vehicles (high cargo capacity) and drones (automation and speed) into a hybrid system. The road vehicle handles bulk transport with large cargo capacity, while drones provide automated final delivery, combining the advantages of both transport modes.
3Area of stationary object
If more sorting facilities are deployed to cover geographic areas, then delivery coverage is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static sorting facilities with a dynamic road vehicle that can be positioned at various dispatch locations. This dynamic approach allows a single central facility to serve multiple areas sequentially, expanding coverage without proportionally increasing infrastructure costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure provides a system and method of delivering packages. The system may include a plurality of land vehicles that transport a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to locations within a distance of delivery destinations. The system may determine, based on a number of packages to be delivered to destinations in a geographical area, a number of land vehicles to carry the packages to within a UAV round-trip range of each of the destinations. The system may allocate the number of packages to the number of land vehicles. The system may determine a route for each land vehicle that brings the land vehicle within the UAV round-trip range of each destination. The system may dispatch the UAVs carrying the packages from the land vehicle at dispatch locations along the respective route.