Amazon's Patented 'Better Way to Ship Your Drone'
(Source: USPTO)
Amazon announced a unique drone-related patent (US10514690) with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent describes how to build a system in which drones collaborate with unmanned autonomous vehicles.
Ground vehicles and drones are all managed by a central system. Ground vehicles start their delivery after finishing loading at the warehouse. When a land vehicle arrives near the orderer's address, it's time for the drone. Drones load items in their vehicles and drop them off in front of the orderer's front door, on the balcony or in a designated location. This process is well illustrated in the patent drawings.
(Source: USPTO)
Drones don't have to travel long distances. This is because ground vehicles approach the destination at least 3 meters away.
Drones don't fly far from the warehouse to their destination, so they're free of battery concerns. It does not pass on people or private lands, reducing the risk of accidents and lowering the likelihood of causing noise problems.
Ground vehicles also charge drones. It's a big advantage for drones with limited flight time.
(Source: USPTO)
Ground vehicles do not have to be cars. From small mobile robots to large trucks.
It is not known whether the patented technology will be implemented as it is, but the feasibility is high. Amazon is investing in electric vehicle startup Rivian and autonomous startup Aurora this year, accelerating its autonomous driving technology.
While many shipping robots have been released, it is difficult to find consumers at home. From the consumer's point of view, the final stage of delivering the goods to the orderer still has a high level of confidence when done directly by the person.
(Source: Ford)
At the same time, the biped walking robot `` Digit, '' developed by the automaker Ford and the robot company Agility Robotics, received a two-armed courier and came to the front door. Ford said it will begin trials in early 2020.