Embedded Payload Solutions in UAVs for Medium and Small Package Delivery

Abstract

Investigations about the feasibility of delivery systems with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have been recently expanded, owing to the exponential demand for goods to be delivered in the recent years, which has been further increased by the COVID-19 pandemic. UAV delivery can provide new contactless delivery strategies, in addition to applications for medical items, such as blood, medicines, or vaccines. The safe delivery of goods is paramount for such applications, which is facilitated if the payload is embedded in the main drone body. In this paper, we investigate payload solutions for medium and small package delivery (up to 5 kg) with a medium-sized UAV (maximum takeoff of less than 25 kg), focusing on (i) embedded solutions (packaging hosted in the drone fuselage), (ii) compatibility with transportation of medical items, and (iii) user-oriented design (usability and safety). We evaluate the design process for possible payload solutions, from an analysis of the package design (material selection, shape definition, and product industrialization) to package integration with the drone fuselage (possible solutions and comparison of quick-release systems). We present a prototype for an industrialized package, a right prism with an octagonal section made of high-performance double-wall cardboard, and introduce a set of concepts for a quick-release system, which are compared with a set of six functional parameters (mass, realization, accessibility, locking, protection, and resistance). Further analyses are already ongoing, with the aim of integrating monitoring and control capabilities into the package design to assess the condition of the delivered goods during transportation.

Comprehensive Investigation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): An In-Depth Analysis of Avionics Systems

“…The stability of the control scheme is justified with Lyapunov analysis [190]. Many other embedded payload solutions in UAVs exist [191]. Hence, it is easier to choose a control technique, where payload control is imperative for all tasks demanding high precision, adaptability, and real-time decision-making, expanding the possibilities for aerial applications.…”

The Impact of Nonlinear Mobility Models on Straight Line Conflict Detection Algorithm for UAVs

“…The same thing applies for the speed; choosing small values for the standard deviation of the speed will make a small speed change at each step. For example, if the average speed equals 3, if we want speed values to be within the interval [2.5-3.5] (approximately), the speed standard deviation should be 0.1, but if we want speed values to be in the interval [2][3][4] (approximately), the speed standard deviation should be 0.2, and so on.…”

“…Researchers investigate the multi-UAV systems to employ them in civil and military applications with minimum human involvement. Drones can be used for remote visual inspection [1,2], packages delivery [3], and search and rescue [4] applications, to name a few. It is possible to utilize multiple UAVs to form flying swarms that can be used to create a self-organizing flying ad hoc network (FANET) without the need for a centralized administration or network infrastructure [5].…”

Identifying Factors of User Acceptance of a Drone-Based Medication Delivery: User-Centered Design Approach

“…The health care system faces challenges such as a rural exodus, aging populations, and increasing shortages in the health care workforce; drones have the potential to increase the efficiency and capacity of the health care system [ 1 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the demand for new logistic solutions, such as fast and contactless delivery strategies [ 2 ]. It is also important to understand the attitude of the civilian population and public opinion on the use of drones [ 3 ].…”