1、UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLESIN LOGISTICSA DHL PERSPECTIVE ON IMPLICATIONS AND USE CASES FOR THE LOGISTICS INDUSTRYPowered by DHL Trend Research1Flight of fancy or a fascinating new feature of modern living?Some doubt that our skies will ever be filled with pilot-less aerial devices.Others say that this

2、future will be ours very soon.In different ways,both opinions are close to the truth.This trend report takes a fully grounded look at the role of these devices in our near-future.It deals with current capabilities and circumstances,exploring the positive potential as well as the existing limitations

3、 of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs),also known as drones but this report deliberately avoids the name drones as it has some profoundly negative connotations.Today there is plenty of talk(and perhaps too much blue-sky thinking and hype)about civil applications for UAVs,but actual use cases are surpris

4、ingly thin on the ground.Three impacts are at work here technological capability,regulatory pressure,and public acceptance and this report highlights the interplay between all three in current applications drawn from various sectors,including the logistics industry.In exploring such an intriguing to

5、pic,this report is likely to raise issues and questions for many readers.Therefore DHL warmly invites you to visit the DHL Innovation Center in Germany which showcases proven UAV technologies.Please come and discuss your needs and joint development opportunities with us.Yours sincerely,PrefacePREFAC

6、EMatthias Heutger Dr.Markus Kckelhaus2 2 Preface.11 Understanding UAVs.3 1.1 Scope .3 1.2 Regulation .4 1.3 Technology.62 Industry Best Practice .8 2.1 Energy/Infrastructure .8 2.2 Agriculture and Forestry .8 2.3 Site and Layout Planning;Construction Sector .9 2.4 Environmental Protection .9 2.5 Eme

7、rgency Response and Police .10 2.6 Film and Photography .11 2.7 Development Aid .113 Implications in Logistics .12 3.1 Urban First and Last Mile .12 3.2 Rural Delivery.14 3.3 Surveillance of Infrastructure .17 3.4 Intralogistics.18Conclusion and Outlook .19Sources .20Table of Contents3Understanding

8、UAVsRecent worldwide media attention has put unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)in the spotlight.Their many different applications make for great headlines they are being used for military purposes in Pakistan (US Army),for development aid work in Africa (Matternet),and for parcel delivery in Germany (DH

9、L Paket).Some organizations are using UAVs specifically because of this high level of interest.Good examples are the worlds largest online retailer,Amazon and the worlds largest logistics company DPDHL,which are testing UAV delivery.And countless start-ups have jumped on the bandwagon to gain public

10、ity and boost sales(e.g.,Zookals stated intention to deliver textbooks via UAVs in Australia).1However,for any emerging technology,it can be a double-edged sword to attract a lot of attention.There may be considerable benefits from all the limelight;for example,a new technology could stand more chan

11、ce of receiving subsidies if considered of national importance.But there is also the danger of creating false expectations too much initial hype can leave people disillusioned and disappointed after the dust has settled and there may be a public backlash against the perceived power of new technology

12、 to substantially influence and alter our everyday lives.In addition to typical hype-cycle effects,there are two main drivers for the huge impact of UAVs:1.The potential for actual disruption in specific industries(including security services,and in film and television)and2.The emotional response to

13、 unmanned flying systems,caused largely by:a)Privacy concerns and the debate about how much technology should be included in our daily lives(“Do we want to crowd urban skies with UAVs capable of tracking and filming our daily routines?”)b)Safety concernsPerhaps the reality of UAV deployment is far l

14、ess glamorous than the media hype suggests.The ideal mission for a UAV is described as one that is too“dull,dirty,and dangerous”for manned aircraft.The purpose of this report is to provide an introduction to this exciting topic,present use cases from a broad variety of industries,and discuss potenti

15、al applications in and for the logistics industry.We aim to review the hype and provide a realistic assessment of UAVs.1.1 ScopeIt is important to distinguish between military and non-military use of UAVs.Until recently,media coverage has focused mainly on military use,coining the term drone and lea

16、ving many with negative attitudes towards this new technology.Michael Toscano,President of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International,is quoted in the Washington Times saying“The word drone instantly conjures up mental images of large predators firing missiles at hostile targets arou

17、nd the world”.2This report focuses solely on non-military applications.It is clear though,as with many other examples of tech-nical development,that major advancements are likely to find their roots in military UAV usage and application.In this report,we do not look into very long-distance (e.g.,tra

18、nsatlantic)unmanned flight operations,because UAVs capable of performing these operations are likely to function in a comparable way to existing cargo airplanes(e.g.,with horizontal take-off at airports).As such,they are not game-changing in the same way as are smaller UAVs designed to replace road

19、delivery in megacities or overcome infrastructure challenges in Africa.The scope of this report is also limited by timeframe.As technology and the regulatory environment are both subject to substantial change and development,the outlook in this report is restricted to the next ten years.1 UNDERSTAND

20、ING UAVs1 http:/ http:/ UAVs1.2 RegulationThe regulatory environment plays a crucial role in UAV adoption.Currently,there seems to be little common ground on designing effective rules across borders,let alone continents.Regulations vary widely from country to country.Major legislative changes could

21、be realized over the coming years,particularly in the USA.But regulators are constantly being criticized for moving too slowly on the matter.Mary Cummings,Director of the MIT Humans and Automation Laboratory,urges politicians to act in her Boston Globe article:“Congress needs to hold the FAAs feet t

22、o the fire before this tech-nology takes flight and leaves the US commercial market behind.”3 She cites estimations of a USD 10bn yearly loss for the US economy caused by overly strict regulations.But regulating bodies believe they have solid arguments for taking their time.Amazons plans to use UAVs

23、 for deliveries have been grounded for the time being,with the FAA declaring that they will not allow UAVs to be used for delivering packages to people for a fee.4 Three major reasons explain why UAV regulation is a delicate matter:Congested AirspaceFor now,most UAVs operate outside controlled or re

24、stricted airspace,and this minimizes interference with other airspace users.But if UAV operations are to become widespread in logistics and other industries,integration will be essential.UAVs will be operating in all types of airspace and sharing this with airplanes,helicopters,and other flying syst

25、ems.Airspace is already overcrowded in many regions,especially around major cities,and air traffic control operations typically work near to maximum capability(see Figure 1).An out-of-control UAV is a massive threat,capable of bringing down an airplane with several hundred passengers on board.In Aug

26、ust 2013,an Alitalia pilot reported sighting a UAV as close as 200 feet to his plane during his final approach to JFK International Airport in New York,triggering investigations by the FBI and the FAA.5Outside of extreme events and worst-case scenarios,it will still be a substantial challenge to reg

27、ulate additional UAV traffic and integrate it into existing patterns.3 http:/ http:/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/amazons-drone-delivery-grounded-by-the-faa-9561807.html5 http:/ http:/ RisksWhile trains,boats,and to a lesser extent cars follow restricted pathways,UAVs can move an

28、ywhere and everywhere.And because they are airborne,failure of a vital system(e.g.,the engine or navigation system)could cause the UAV to fall from the sky at any time and place.However,the chance of a system crashing into pedestrians is highly unlikely,even with todays early UAV designs.In 2012,the

29、 US military drone safety record for the previous 12 months was better than for manned fighters and bombers.6 Nevertheless,effective safety measures and operational procedures in case of engine failure or loss of navigation must be ensured,to guarantee previously defined safety levels that satisfy r

30、egulating authorities.Public ConcernIn addition to the tangible(and technically controllable)challenges of congested airspace and inherent risks,there is another,less-defined area of concern in the public domain.Regulators need to address the publics negative perception of UAVs there is a general le

31、vel of fear,and people seem to think UAVs pose some kind of threat.A large part of this fear is probably related to privacy issues:Cameras and other sensors(potentially invisible)attached to the flying system could be used for constant surveillance of every step one takes.Figure 1:Air traffic at 09:

32、30 am in Western Europe;Source:Flightradar245Understanding UAVsPlans by the national German railway company,Deutsche Bahn,to use UAVs with attached infrared cameras to reduce graffiti attacks on its property7 evoked a strong response with blog entries such as“This is the worst of dystopian science-f

33、iction coming true.This sets the precedent for more of the same throughout the world.And its not going to stop at spying on Graffiti Sprayers.”8 When talking about the regulatory environment and the adoption of new technologies,it is worth considering the Law of Disruption model.This describes an in

34、teresting pattern of how fast different types of change manifest themselves,and the model is very applicable to the current UAV situation.Technological advancements are rushing ahead of social and political change.That is exactly what we see happening with UAVs today.From a technological perspective

35、,various use cases are already feasible,but many of these are not accepted yet by the public.Social change is occurring at a substantially slower pace than this technological progress,and the last domain to react and adapt is the political one(see Figure 2).Following this model,we might anticipate r

36、egulatory barriers for UAVs to remain in effect for some time.7 http:/www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22678580 8 http:/ ChangeChangeThe Law of DisruptionSocial ChangeBusiness ChangePolitical ChangeTimeFigure 2:The Law of Disruption;Source:Larry Downes 6Understanding UAVs1.3 TechnologyThe selection o

37、f available UAVs has greatly expanded over the last few years and it has become difficult to keep track of the entire range.The market offers diverse systems,and there is no universal classification.The US military uses a tier system with specific UAV requirements(e.g.,they must offer particular lev

38、els of range or endurance).In general,systems tend to be classified by measure-ments or specifications,which can relate not only to range and endurance but also to size,maximum take-off weight,service ceiling,and price.Other major distinctions are the build type and the engine used.The following tab

39、le gives a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of different build types(see Figure 3).Build TypesAdvantageDisadvantageVisualFixed-Wing Long range Endurance Horizontal take-off,requiring substantial space(or support,e.g.,catapult)Inferior maneuverability compared to VTOL(Vertical Take-

40、Off and Landing)Source:Indra CompanyTilt-Wing Combination of fixed-wing and VTOL advantages Technologically complex ExpensiveSource:sUAS NewsUnmanned Helicopter VTOL Maneuverability High payloads possible Expensive Comparably high maintenance requirementsSource:Swiss UAVMulticopter Inexpensive Easy

41、to launch Low weight Limited payloads Susceptible to wind due to low weightSource:MicrodronesFigure 3:UAV build types 7Understanding UAVsFoto:Luca Bruno/APThe main types of engine used today in non-military UAVs are the electric engine and the internal-combustion engine.The electric engine is enviro

42、nmentally friendly and operates without much noise;these are important advantages especially in densely populated areas.It is relatively inexpensive to charge the battery,but battery weight is a drawback and UAV range can be limited by battery capacity.A UAV powered by a comparable internal-combusti

43、on engine is likely to have superior range,due to the energy density advantages of fossil fuels and because range can be simply extended by adding fuel tanks.Hybrid systems are currently being developed,trying to combine the best of both worlds the internal-combustion engine is used for longer dista

44、nce flights,and the electric engine is used for take-off and landing in areas requiring quiet operation.This report does not exclude any specific type,but its focus is rather on electrical engines and multicopters,because these appear to be the most promising choice for the logistics industry applic

45、ations that are discussed in this report(see Figure 4 and 5).This reflects both cost and feasibility arguments:While long ranges and high payloads are technically feasible today,UAVs of this type tend to be expensive and may be a bad choice in densely populated environments such as cities,because of

46、 horizontal take-offs and noisy engines.This matters less outside urban areas,and in the following chapter we review the varied tasks being carried out by UAVs today.Figure 5:Multicopter used for taking low altitude aerial photos;Source:SoliforumFigure 4:DHL-“Paketcopter”8Industry Best Practice2 IND

47、USTRY BEST PRACTICE There is a broad range of possible applications and benefits for UAVs,which means that many different industries are interested in them.The following use cases give an overview of the broad usability of UAVs and can serve as an inspiration across industry boundaries.2.1 Energy/In

48、frastructureFor big energy players,it is tedious and costly to constantly monitor their infrastructure.This can be due to the vast size of energy sites(mining),the scale of the infrastructure(power lines,pipelines),or the challenging environment(offshore wind parks).UAVs can be operated more economi

49、cally than manned helicopters;they are less limited by weather conditions(although this varies by model)and easier to deploy.They can be operated in extreme weather conditions and in geographically challenging locations without putting personnel at risk.Another advantage is that UAVs can follow a pr

50、e-programmed flight path,and fly closer to both the infrastructure and the ground.This allows for highly detailed flight plans,higher measurement accuracy,and increased repeatability.An example from the energy sector is the use of Swiss UAV systems to inspect offshore wind power plants in the North

51、Sea and in pipeline monitoring activities in Turkey(see Figure 6).9Figure 6:Inspection of offshore wind power plants in the North Sea;Source:Blog Zeit 9 http:/www.ila-berlin.de/ila2014/konferenzen2012/upload2012/04%20-%20SUAV-civil%20use1.pdf 10 http:/ Agriculture and ForestryProbably the agricultur

52、e and forestry industries dont spring to mind when considering potential applications for unmanned aerial systems.But in precision agriculture,UAVs are already playing a vital role today.They allow farmers to gather real-time data on crops,detect irregula-rities as early as possible,and take better

53、decisions about using fertilizers,herbicides,and pesticides.In addition,animal tracking is another task well suited to the capa-bilities of UAVs.In forestry,an example of how to use unmanned aerial systems is spotting and mapping forest fires(see Figure 7).The US Forest Service had plans to do this

54、in 2013,but stopped because of the restrictive regulatory environment requiring each UAV to be in visual range of its pilot at all times.10Figure 7:UAV application in forestry;Source:Avinc9Industry Best Practice2.3 Site and Layout Planning;Construction SectorSite and layout planning in the construct

55、ion sector and in other industries can benefit in several ways from the use of unmanned aerial systems.The simplest application is analyzing a site from above,using live footage from a UAV(see Figure 8).This gives an overview of the site and indication of site specifics.Footage and data collected by

56、 a UAV can also be used in mapping(UAV-based data collection).And rapid improvements in user-friendliness mean that a wide user group can access the data collection tool:“Automation of aerial data collection makes this platform an attractive option for even those not versed in photogrammetric scienc

57、e.”11Using predefined flight paths is ideal for monitoring progress on construction sites with high accuracy and minimized effort.In addition to planned construction site applications,unmanned aerial systems are well-suited to support post-disaster investigation of damaged buil-dings.The Universitie

58、s of Rome and LAquila published a paper on UAV Application in Post-Seismic Environ-ment,which concludes that“Even if these conventional surveying techniques represent instruments of extreme operability there are still many evident limits on their use,especially regarding the survey of both the roofs

59、 and the facades of tall buildings or dangerous places,typical of post-earthquake situations.So using micro UAVs for surveying in such particular cases,many of these problems can be easily bypassed.”12In a more distant future,UAVs might carry out small maintenance and repair tasks in“difficult-to-re

60、ach or high-risk spaces”.13 2.4 Environmental ProtectionUAVs can play a vital role in environmental protection;for example,in the safeguarding of an endangered species.Already,conservation parks and private game reserves in South Africa are using unmanned flying systems to protect endangered rhinos

61、from poachers(see Figure 9).14The US-based environmental activist group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society launches UAVs from its ships in the Antarctic ocean in the fight to protect whales.15 In this application,a battery-powered Osprey system is used;it is“comfortable in the wind and can handle 40

62、knots”explains Jimmy Prouty,representing the manufacturing company.“This unit is waterproofed and has multiple security backups so that,if it has problems or a low battery,it automatically returns to base.”It is equipped with GPS systems and a camera that provides both videos and still images.The go

63、al is to detect any movement of Japanese whaling ships as early as possible,enabling the Sea Shepherd fleet to intercept these vessels.Paul Watson,founder of the conservation society,expects UAVs to be used in other environmentally sensitive areas as well;for example,in the highly protected Galapago

64、s Islands.Figure 8:ANTEOS MINI during an acquisition in LAquila;Source:Int ArchFigure 9:Use of UAVs for environmental purposes;Source:Avinc11 http:/ 12 http:/www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf- 13 http:/ http:/ http:/www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/12/24/sea-shepherd-intercepts-

65、the-japanese-whaling-fleet-with-drones-129910Industry Best Practice2.5 Emergency Response and Police A double blow of natural disasters hit Fukushima in 2011:The strongest earthquake in Japanese history followed by a tsunami which claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people and a whole region devas

66、tated.A big problem in the aftermath of natural disasters is that decision makers often lack information on which to base their decisions.In Fukushima,this was exacerbated by radioactivity leaking from damaged reactors,putting every human being who entered the power plant area at high risk of radioa

67、ctive contamination.UAVs are ideal data-gathering machines in these circumstances.They are fully independent of the potentially demolished infrastructure,equipped with cameras and sensors,and controlled remotely.Their valuable contribution includes keeping humans out of danger zones or at least limi

68、ting their risk exposure.This is precisely what happened in Fukushima.A Honeywell T-Hawk UAV was used to collect insights from the heart of the devastated plant.The T-Hawk is powered by a two-stroke gasoline engine and is capable of staying airborne for approximately 40 minutes before it requires re

69、fueling.16 Not only carrying cameras but also rescuing people is the vision of the Rescue UAV a special version of the Volocopter,an electrically powered multicopter.It was developed by the German start-up e-volo and originally designed to carry two people,thereby excluding it from classification as

70、 an unmanned aerial vehicle.17 Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah ran a pilot on using a UAV for search-and-rescue(SAR)missi-ons.An operator was trained to use the system to spot lost hikers.A next step will be to develop an algorithm that can automatically detect a human being in colle

71、cted footage.18While these emergency response and SAR operations are likely to be hugely popular,there may be different public opinion about police use of UAVs.According to media reports,police departments in several countries,including Australia and the USA,are planning to use UAVs or already have

72、UAVs in service(see Figure 10).The South Australian Minister for Police is quoted as saying:“UAVs represent a cost-effective solution for a range of policing operations,especially in situations when using conventional aircraft is too dangerous or costly,they can be fitted with a variety of cameras,c

73、an be deployed in minutes,and can fly at heights that effectively make them inaudible from the ground.”19One example of UAV usage comes from the Australian Queensland Police Service who is utilizing at least two UAVs for law enforcement.They are deploying them for“situational awareness”during sieges

74、 and other high-risk operations.Although they have been used in trials since early 2012,the continued usage of UAVs was only recently published in a federal report on drones and privacy.20But this is exactly what worries civil liberty groups and the general public.People are uneasy about the scenari

75、o of an easily deployable,unrecognizable UAV that effectively spies on everyone unnoticed.Figure 10 a+b:Police applications of UAVs;Sources:Telegraph,Falcon-UAV16 http:/ http:/www.e- 18 http:/ http:/.au/news/sa-police-to-use-unmanned-drones-to-spy-on-criminals/story-e6frg6n6-9720 http:/.a

76、u/2014/03/queensland-police-now-flying-drones-around-crime-scenes/11Industry Best Practice2.6 Film and PhotographyAerial film and photography service providers are probably the heaviest commercial users of unmanned aerial systems today.The technical requirement is comparatively low in many cases,off

77、-the-shelf cameras are attached to the UAV with ready-made or makeshift mountings(see Figure 11).For a better focus and improved results,the camera and the UAV can be handled by different operators.Significant cost savings can be achieved,and this results in a shift from more expensive options to UA

78、Vs,and opens up new customer segments.Film/photo missions that would previously have used a helicopter can now be executed at a fraction of the cost.In some instances,the UAV replaces expensive technology that is not even a flying device;for example,instead of using computer technology to create sce

79、nes,these can now be filmed by UAV.A Washington Post article lists many movies with UAV-filmed scenes,including some of the biggest blockbusters of recent years such as Skyfall,The Hunger Games and The Dark Knight Rises.21In addition to technology shifts in established projects,new customers for aer

80、ial photography are entering the market;these customers would not have considered buying this type of service previously,because of prohibitive cost.For example,hotels and spas are now using aerial photo-graphy and video material for marketing purposes,especially on their websites.Real estate agents

81、 can now“show homes in context to neighbors,golf courses and other nearby landmarks”22 even though photographers in the USA are not yet allowed to charge for this service(FAA regulations restrict commercial use of this type of photography without permission;photographers are bypassing the law by cha

82、rging only for editing).In a non-commercial application,a young French start-up has taken the Instagram idea to the skies:On dronestagr.am,visitors can upload their UAV-based aerial photographs and videos to“create a world map of our Earth with a birds eye view”.2321 http:/ http:/finance- http:/www.

83、dronestagr.am/about/24 http:/matternet.us/matternet-manifesto/Figure 11:A UAV with an off-the-shelf camera attached;Source:Fast Company 2.7 Development Aid“We will bring to the world its next-generation transpor-tation system.”This immodest statement is made on the homepage of Matternet,a California

84、-based start-up that is seed-funded by investors such as Andreessen Horowitz(with previous interests in Skype and Groupon).The organization intends to“create a network that is designed around human need,rather than the limitations of the antiquated technology that formed our current transportation s

85、ystem”.24 The basic idea is to use UAVs to leapfrog infrastructure developments.The envisaged net-work includes base stations in 10 km intervals,which will allow UAVs to recharge.The network should be capable of carrying relief shipments to hard-to-reach places and allow economical connection to rur

86、al populations(see Figure 12).Figure 12:Matternet field test in Haiti;Source:SciDev.Net12Implications in Logistics3 IMPLICATIONS IN LOGISTICS After taking a broad look at use cases from a range of different industries,this report now examines implications for the logistics industry.While many of the

87、 above appli-cations are already common today,the use cases in and for logistics are still in its early stages.The use cases illustrated below must therefore be seen as visionary;the intention is to provide inspiration and trigger discussion.These logistics use cases are not intended as a precise pr

88、ediction of future developments.As previously mentioned,electrical multicopters(charac-terized by vertical take-off and landing)appear to be the most promising for the logistics industry.Accordingly we focus on use cases within short distances instead of considering long distance operations.DHL Tren

89、d Research divides logistics industry use cases into four categories:Urban First and Last-Mile,Rural Delivery,Surveillance of Infrastructure,and Intralogistics.3.1 Urban First and Last MileRapid urbanization is one of the megatrends of recent years and the near future,especially in emerging markets.

90、The insurance company Swiss Re forecasts the global urban population will“grow by about 1.4 billion to 5 billion between 2011 and 2030,with 90%of the increase coming in the emerging markets”.25 Negative implications of this trend include congested roads,pollution,and decreased efficiency caused by d

91、elays in the flow of people and goods.It is often difficult for city planners to keep up with the pace of urbanization and population growth.In many cases,infrastructure projects can only provide temporary relief.Part of the problem is urban first and last mile delivery,and demand for this is likely

92、 to increase as e-commerce volumes grow.China posted an impressive compound annual growth rate of 120%between 2003 and 2011 for its e-tailing market(consumer-facing e-commerce transactions excluding financial services,job search,and travel)26 and,even if growth rates are likely to come down,future i

93、ncreases will still be substantial.UAVs could provide major relief for inner cities,taking traffic off the roads and into the skies.So far,payloads are limited but a network of UAVs could nevertheless support first and last-mile logistics networks.For instance,aerial delivery company Flirtey plans t

94、o introduce the worlds-first commercial UAVs for delivery.Student text book rental service Zookal will use Flirtey to deliver parcels directly to a customer.Customers will receive a smartphone notification that will enable them to track the parcel via GPS,and receive the parcel directly at an outdoo

95、r location.Once the UAV arrives at the outdoor delivery destination,it hovers and carefully lowers the parcel through a delivery mechanism that is attached to a retractable cord(see Figure 13).This aims to signifi-cantly reduce waiting times from two to three days,to as little as two to three minute

96、s.27An airborne first and last-mile network could look as follows:Shipments that arrive from outside the city limits are sorted at existing facilities(hubs,warehouses,cross-docking sites),and shipments meeting certain criteria are separated automatically.In addition to size,weight,and time criticaln

97、ess,these criteria could also include dynamic metrics(e.g.,current road conditions,air pollution,and network load).Each UAV automatically picks up assigned shipment(s)from a conveyer belt and takes off.On its way back to the hub,the UAV could carry out point-to-point deliveries that lie on its route

98、.Figure 13:Textbook delivery service via UAV;Source:Web2Carz25 http:/ 26“Chinas e-tail revolution:Online shopping as a catalyst for growth”,McKinsey Global Institute,March 201327 http:/atp-.au/flirtey/13Implications in LogisticsIts routing decisions would always be dynamic,meaning an intelligent net

99、work would redistribute all resources in real-time,depending on the load and urgency of certain shipments.When an assignment for emergency transport comes in(e.g.,time-critical delivery of blood from a blood bank),this is prioritized.End customers are equipped with an app that allows them to see nea

100、rby UAVs and order a dynamic pick-up this system would use GPS data from the customers smartphone to meet him or her wherever they are,even if they move to a different location after placing the order.There would be the same flexibility for deliveries as soon as the customer sends a notification,a U

101、AV leaves the hub and makes delivery direct to the customer location or in case of returns,picks it up right from the first mile of the customer.AMP Electric vehicles even plans to test the pairing of delivery trucks with UAVs that will deliver parcels that are outside of the main delivery route of

102、the truck.The UAV would be positioned on top of a delivery truck,waiting for a parcel from the driver.When loaded,the UAV will scan the barcode on the parcel,schedule the route to the delivery point via GPS and take off to the destination.In the meantime,the truck will continue on its rounds.After a

103、 successful delivery,the UAV will fly back to the truck for its next delivery run,where it can also recharge its battery wirelessly.(see Figure 14).28Figure 14:UAV teams up with AMP;Source:AMP Electric Vehicles28 http:/ 15 a+b:Packstation and Paketkasten;Sources:Bitpage;NeuerdingsThe first and last

104、meters of the delivery process are likely to be the most technically challenging.If the customer is outdoors and moving,the UAV could meet them and hand-over the delivery after identifying the customer via NFC or QR code on their smartphone.But if the customer is at home,things gets trickier.With a

105、garden or balcony available,the UAV could drop the parcel onto this.With large buildings and skyscrapers,the UAV could land on the roof.The most problematic delivery would be to mid-sized buildings with pitched roofs structures that are prevalent in European locations necessitating an alternative de

106、livery point,perhaps some sort of collection point.The existing DHL Packstation or Paketkasten net-work could be upgraded to handle shipments of this kind(see Figure 15).14Figure 16:Urban First and Last MileThis urban first and last-mile use case is probably the most tangible and spectacular in the

107、logistics industry.But it is also the application with perhaps the largest barriers,because privacy and safety concerns multiply in the densely populated urban environment.And it is the most challenging in terms of regulatory framework conditions and infrastructure especially integration into existi

108、ng urban infrastructures.3.2 Rural DeliveryThe potential of UAV technology is also evident in rural locations with poor infrastructure or challenging geographic conditions.George Barbastathis of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology initiated research into UAVs“to swiftlyImplica

109、tions in Logisticstransport vaccines to rural locations and alleviate first and last-mile delivery problems and improve cost,quality,and coverage of vaccine supplies.”29For the logistics industry,rural delivery by UAV is attractive not only in emergency applications because low-volume remote locatio

110、ns represent a costly part of standard networks.Furthermore,they typically require a non-standard infrastructure tailored to regional specifics(e.g.,mountainous settings or island delivery).For remote island locations,a conceivable use case is the delivery of parcels to near-shore islands,either rep

111、lacing an existing(and complex)process involving cars,boats,and postal workers,or providing new,additional services.These could be off-peak delivery services originating from the mainland or specific express services(e.g.,for pharmaceutical delivery).29 http:/www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/Pag

112、es/GrantsAwarded.aspx?Topic=Vaccines&Round=8&Phase=all15Implications in LogisticsIn recent news,Google has revealed its latest program called Project Wing to build autonomous delivery systems capable of bringing parcels to nearly every person within one to two minutes.Google has been working on Proj

113、ect Wing for more than two years and it is already currently testing UAVs for rural deliveries in Queensland,Australia(see Figure 17).However,Google recognizes that the project is far away from actually being ready for any sort of commercial or governmental use especially for UAV delivery in urban a

114、reas.“Its years from a product,”explained Google Project Wing founder Nicholas Roy.“But it is sort of the first prototype we can stand upon.”30The obstacles Google will have to clear will go far beyond engineering.As previously mentioned rival Amazon floated its own aerial delivery service earlier t

115、his year and the UAV delivery project was quickly subdued in the US by the FAA.Figure 18:The DHL Paketcopter delivering a parcel in Bonn;Source:Wallstreet JournalFigure 19:QR code video:PosttowerTo gain valuable insight into a comparable application,Deutsche Post DHL partnered with the UAV manu-fact

116、urer Microdrones in December 2013 to deliver pharmaceuticals to employees at DHLs headquarters in Germany.This pilot took place in the city of Bonn,but the setting was comparable to a rural location as the UAV flew across the Rhine river both the take-off and landing areas and the flight path were f

117、ree of any buildings.This is noteworthy as it substantially simplifies flight and delivery operations buildings influence wind patterns and GPS signal strength and,most importantly,complicate delivery compared to the simple drop-off thats possible in rural settings.A UAV called the DHL Paketkopter(“

118、parcel-copter”)was under the manual control of an operator at all times,to fulfill regulatory requirements(see Figure 18).But from a technical perspective,it could have operated with full autonomy by following GPS waypoints.This vehicle was equipped with a release mechanism allowing it to put down t

119、he parcel via remote control or pre-programmed instruction(scan Figure 19 to watch the video).Figure 17:Googles drone deliveries;Source:Engadget30 http:/ on the promising results of the test flights in December 2013,DHL strengthened the development of this use case and partnered together with Microd

120、rones and RWTH Aachen University in order to launch a pioneering research project on rural island deliveries.The project will take place on Germanys northern island of Juist,with the aim of delivering medicine and other time-critical goods via UAV from a pharmacy located approximately 12 km from the

121、 island.This will be Europes first commercial delivery via UAV.The DHL Paketkopter will operate completely autono-mously,out of the pilots line of sight,during flights that can last up to 30 minutes.Flights will occur on a daily basis during times when ferryboats and flights are not operating.16Impl

122、ications in LogisticsThe UAVs flight duration,range and speed capabilities have all been enhanced to address the exceptional requi-rements posed by the weather conditions of the North Sea in Germany.Additionally,for safety reasons the DHL Paketkopter will be constantly monitored during its flights b

123、y a mobile support station that can take manual corrective action if an emergency occurs.Our DHL Parcelcopter 2.0 is already one of the safest and most reliable flight systems in its class that meets the requirements needed to fulfill such a mission,“explained Jrgen Gerdes,CEO of Deutsche Post DHLs

124、Post eCommerce Parcel Division.We are proud that this additional service can create added value for the residents of and visitors to the island of Juist and are pleased with the support we have received from the involved communities and agencies.“If the project is successful,the DHL Paketkopter coul

125、d be used to operate such deliveries to other remote areas.Depending on further technological and regulatory developments DHL will continue to pursue this use case.The tests to date clearly underline the feasibility of UAV-based deliveries in a real-world setting.Widespread usage,however,will still

126、need time.More information on the project can be found under:www.dhl.de/paketkopterUAVs offer greatest advantage to infrastructures that are weak or almost non-existent.For example,in rural Europe aerial deliveries via a UAV network could speed up deliveries and raise service levels,but in rural Afr

127、ica this could be a complete game changer.Remote communi-ties in developing nations often lack access to proper roads and train lines.Connecting villages through UAV delivery networks could enable their participation in the global economy and more frequent supply of critical goods.This would,in turn

128、,speed up economic development,as at some level the use of UAVs overcomes the expensive and time-consuming task of establishing infrastructure.Figure 21:Rural DeliveryFigure 20:DHL Paketkopter flies to German isle;Source:Stern17Implications in LogisticsFigure 22:BP using UAV;Source:Modelairplanenews

129、31 http:/ 23:Surveillance of Infrastructure3.3 Surveillance of InfrastructureAs in other industries,organizations in the logistics industry must monitor their infrastructure.UAVs can help with security and safety surveillance in large-scale facilities such as warehouse sites,yards,docks and even pip

130、elines.They can also help to guide various operations(e.g.,the movement of trucks and forklifts on site).Probably the most promising application is using UAVs to provide customers with a value-added service(VAS);for example on oil fields.BP,British multinational oil and gas company,will routinely us

131、e UAVs to patrol their Alaskan oil fields which is the first authorized commercial UAV operation in the United States(see Figure 22).Their UAVs will be used to monitor specific maintenance activities on roads,oil pipelines,and other infrastructure in the vast and potentially dangerous artic environm

132、ent of northern Alaska.It is estimated that BP ground crews spend up to a week checking a two mile section of pipeline,however,according to BPs technology director Curt Smith,UAVs can scan a two mile section in 30 minutes.31At a first level,surveillance of infrastructure involves the logistics compa

133、ny in monitoring its own sites and assets.This can ensure they are used to full capacity and are protected(e.g.,theft reduction in warehouses containing items of particular value).The status of the infrastructure can be assessed from the air,and damage(e.g.,on a warehouse roof)can be evaluated.At so

134、me future point in time,it may be possible for UAVs to carry out minor repairs on hard-to-reach parts of buildings and infrastructure.At a second level,surveillance of infrastructure involves the logistics company offering UAV services to its customers.Taking the example of an energy customer,their

135、site may be of gigantic scale and their assets expensive and difficult to track.Losing the value of an asset,and hours invested searching for it,could be made even worse by customs fines for each imported item that is temporarily lost.18Implications in LogisticsFigure 25:IntralogisticsAdditionally,t

136、he energy customer is likely to be constantly challenged by issues of Health,Safety,Security,and the Environment(HSSE).It is not easy to keep perfect safety records in the harsh environment of oilfields and mining sites,and DHL already supports energy customers with asset tracking and HSSE record-ke

137、eping improvements.To reach the next level of operational excellence,logistics companies and their customers may at some point in the future use UAVs to support tasks such as asset tracking,monitoring risk hotspots,and locating missing employees.3.4 IntralogisticsUAVs could play a vital role in intr

138、alogistics.Consider the automotive industry with its massive production sites,just-in-time processes,and mind-boggling cost of idle production lines:UAVs could support intra-plant transport as well as the supplier-to-plant emergency deliveries which are typically performedby helicopter today.Large-s

139、cale mining areas could also profit from the on-site express delivery of items that are crucial to maintaining operations(e.g.,delivery of tools,machine parts,and lubricants).UAVs are easy to deploy and can follow pre-definedflight paths,so there is no requirement for speciallytrained personnel to l

140、aunch and fly them.Figure 24:The Inventairy Research Project;Source:Autonomik 4.032 http:/ long as system operations are limited to private premises only,the organization has to deal with minimal regulatory boundaries and privacy concerns(issues that can be so detrimental that they render other use

141、cases unfeasible).The most significant limitation for intra-logistics is probably the payload issue.Smaller,affordable UAVs are still disappointingly expensive,and large unmanned helicopters almost rival their manned counterparts in terms of cost,maintenance,and infrastructure requirements,eliminati

142、ng their major advantages.Another imaginable intralogistics application isthe use of UAVs inside the warehouse environmentfor more flexible and accessible high-bay storage.For example,a Fraunhofer IML research project investi-gates the use of a UAV platform for indoor and outdoor flights(see Figure

143、24).This concept is based on the Internet of Things,focusing on self-organization of machines and interaction among systems.The sensors allow the system to independently observe and analyze the surrounding environment so that the UAV is able to navigate through a warehouse,find logistical objects an

144、d carry out an inventory check.The information collected is also transmitted to third-party systems via intelligent interfaces and services.This allows the direct transfer of selected context-related information.3219Conclusion and Outlook It is clear that substantial challenges lie ahead for UAVs,pa

145、rticularly the regulatory environment,privacy concerns,and integration into existing networks.It is likely to take considerable time and effort to overcome these challenges and,in fact,many branches of the logistics industry may never develop regular use of UAVs at all.However,this report has indica

146、ted specific applications in which UAVs are already succeeding today applications that increase delivery speed and customer service levels,lower cost and,in some cases,save lives.From todays perspective,the two most promising uses in the logistics industry regarding business potential are:Urgent exp

147、ress shipments in crowded megacities improving the delivery speed,network flexibility,and potentially even the environmental record Rural deliveries in areas that lack adequate infrastructure(e.g.,in Africa)enabling people in remote locations to be connected to the global trade networks This topic w

148、ill continue to be of great interest over the next few years,particularly if technological developments and changes in legislation accelerate the dissemination of UAVs.DHL Trend Research invites you to join this exciting journey to the future.Make sure you keep posted through our publications,visit

149、us at the DHL Innovation Center(where you can see for yourself the DHL Paketkopter),and reach out to discuss your joint UAV project initiatives.We look forward to hearing from you!CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK20SourcesSOURCESAMP Electric VehiclesUAV teams up with AMP.URL:http:/ 4.0The Inventairy Research P

150、roject.URL:http:/www.autonomik40.de/InventAIRy.phpAvinc UAV application in forestry.URL:https:/ Use of UAVs for environmental purpose.URL:https:/ ZeitInspection of offshore wind power plants in the North Sea.URL:http:/blog.zeit.de/gruenegeschaefte/files/2012/03/av_Heli_MI_2010.jpgEngadgetGoogles dro

151、ne deliveries.URL:http:/ Police applications of UAVs.URL:http:/www.falcon- CompanyA UAV with an off-the-shelf camera attached.URL:http:/ CompanyFixed-Wing UAV.URL:http:/ ArchANTEOS MINI during an acquisition in LAquila.http:/www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf- DownesThe Law of Disruptio

152、n,taken from Unleashing the Killer App Digital Strategies for Market Dominance,Larry Downes,2000MicrodronesMulticopter UAVs.URL:http:/ModelairplanenewsBP using UAV.URL:http:/ Police applications of UAVs.URL:http:/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-andorder/9496230/Police-drones-could-be-used-to-mon

153、itorpublic-from-sky.htmlSciDev.NetMatternet field test in Haiti.URL:http:/ used for taking low altitude aerial photos.URL:http:/ Paketkopter flies to German isle.URL:http:/www.stern.de/wirtschaft/news/dhl-testet-drohnen-juist-wird-von-paketkopter-angeflogen-2140565.htmlsUAS NewsTilt-wing UAV.URL:htt

154、p:/ UAVUnmanned helicopter.URL:http:/www.swiss-Wallstreet JournalThe DHL Paketcopter delivering a parcel in Bonn.URL:http:/ ImagesWeb2CarzTextbook delivery service via UAV.URL:http:/ READINGFOR MORE INFORMATION About UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN LOGISTICS,contact:Dr.Markus KckelhausDHL Customer Solut

155、ions&InnovationJunkersring 5553844 Troisdorf,GermanyPhone:+49 2241 1203 230Mobile:+49 152 5797 0580 e-mail: Denis Niezgoda DHL Customer Solutions&InnovationJunkersring 55 53844 Troisdorf,GermanyPhone:+49 2241 1203233 Mobile:+49 172 4177155 e-mail: LOGISTICS TREND RADAR AUGMENTED REALITY IN LOGISTICS

156、 LOW-COST SENSOR TECHNOLOGY DATA IN LOGISTICS KEY LOGISTICS TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES 2020+ http:/ PUBLISHERDHL Customer Solutions&Innovation Represented by Matthias Heutger,Senior Vice President Strategy,Marketing&Development,DHL CSI 53844 Troisdorf,GermanyPROJECT DIRECTOR Dr.Markus Kckelhaus DHL Trend Research PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND EDITORIAL OFFICE Denis Niezgoda,Stefan EndriDHL Trend Research