Package delivery by means of an automated multi-copter UAS/UAV dispatched from a conventional delivery vehicle
Methods and associated systems for autonomous package delivery utilize a UAS/UAV, an infrared positioning senor, and a docking station integrated with a package delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV accepts a package for delivery from the docking station on the delivery vehicle and uploads the delivery destination. The UAS/UAV autonomously launches from its docked position on the delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV autonomously flies to the delivery destination by means of GPS navigation. The UAS/UAV is guided in final delivery by means of a human supervised live video feed from the UAS/UAV. The UAS/UAV is assisted in the descent and delivery of the parcel by precision sensors and if necessary by means of remote human control. The UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle by means of GPS navigation and precision sensors. The UAS/UAV autonomously docks with the delivery vehicle for recharging and preparation for the next delivery sequence.
1. A method of delivering a package to a delivery destination comprising the steps of:
reading location data of the delivery destination off of the package;
loading the location data into a flight control system onboard of a UAS/UAV;
loading the package onto a package holding mechanism of the UAS/UAV while onboard a delivery vehicle;
launching the UAS/UAV and package from the delivery vehicle at a first location into a flight pattern based on the location data;
guiding the UAS/UAV and package to the delivery destination;
landing the UAS/UAV and package at the delivery destination;
unloading the package from the UAS/UAV at the delivery destination;
re-locating the delivery vehicle to a second location which is different from the first location;
returning the UAS/UAV to the delivery vehicle at the second location; and
docking the UAS/UAV with the delivery vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reading step further comprises:
scanning at least one of a barcode and a QR code displayed on the package.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery vehicle is an electrically powered ground vehicle and the UAS/UAV is an electrically powered flight vehicle.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
electrically charging the UAS/UAV from the delivery vehicle.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the launching, returning and docking steps are each automated.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
driving the delivery vehicle from a depot to the first location which is remote from the delivery destination, the package and UAS/UAV being onboard the delivery vehicle.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
driving the delivery vehicle from the second location back to the depot.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the delivery vehicle has a plurality of packages initially onboard, each package having a distinct delivery destination and the UAS/UAV serially delivering each of the packages from the delivery vehicle to the associated delivery destination.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the delivery vehicle has a plurality of packages initially onboard, each package having a distinct delivery destination, the UAS/UAV serially delivering each of the packages of a first set of the packages from the delivery vehicle at the first location to the respective delivery destination, the method further comprising:
driving the delivery vehicle from the first location to the second location with a second set of the packages onboard, the UAS/UAV serially delivering each of the packages of the second set from the delivery vehicle at the second location to the respective delivery destination.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the guiding and unloading steps are controlled and supervised from a control center remote from both the delivery vehicle and the delivery destination.
11. A method of delivering a package from a depot to a delivery destination comprising the steps of:
driving an electrically powered ground delivery vehicle from the depot to a first location remote from the delivery destination, the package and an electrically powered UAS/UAV flight vehicle being onboard the delivery vehicle;
scanning at least one of a barcode and a QR code displayed on the package for location data of the delivery destination;
loading the location data into a flight control system onboard of the UAS/UAV;
loading the package onto a package holding mechanism of the UAS/UAV while onboard the delivery vehicle;
launching the UAS/UAV and package from the delivery vehicle while at the first location into a flight pattern based on the location data;
re-locating the delivery vehicle to a second location which is different from the first location;
guiding the UAS/UAV and package to the delivery destination;
landing the UAS/UAV and package at the delivery destination;
unloading the package from the UAS/UAV at the delivery destination;
returning the UAS/UAV to the delivery vehicle at the second location;
docking the UAS/UAV with the delivery vehicle;
electrically charging the UAS/UAV from the delivery vehicle;
wherein the launching, returning and docking steps are each automated;
wherein the guiding and unloading steps each further comprises intervention and supervision from a control center remote from both the delivery vehicle and the delivery destination; and
driving the delivery vehicle from the second location back to the depot.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the delivery vehicle has a plurality of packages initially onboard, each package having a distinct delivery destination and the UAS/UAV serially delivering each of the packages from the delivery vehicle to the associated delivery destination.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the delivery vehicle has a plurality of packages initially onboard, each package having a distinct delivery destination, the UAS/UAV serially delivering each of the packages of a first set of the packages from the delivery vehicle at the first location to the respective delivery destination, the method further comprising:
driving the delivery vehicle from the first location to the second location with a second set of the packages onboard, the UAS/UAV serially delivering each of the packages of the second set from the delivery vehicle at the second location to the respective delivery destination.
14. A method of delivering a first package to a first delivery destination, the method comprising the steps of:
loading the first delivery destination into a flight control system of a UAS/UAV;
loading the first package into a package holding mechanism of the UAS/UAV while onboard a delivery vehicle;
launching the UAS/UAV and the first package from the delivery vehicle at a first location;
flying the UAS/UAV and the first package toward the first delivery destination;
unloading the first package from the UAS/UAV at the first delivery destination;
re-locating the delivery vehicle to a second location which is different from the first location;
returning the UAS/UAV to the delivery vehicle at the second location; and
docking the UAS/UAV with the delivery vehicle at the second location.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
delivering a second package to a second delivery destination while the delivery vehicle is at the second location.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein a plurality of the UAS/UAV's are onboard the delivery vehicle for package delivery.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle at the second location.