| Creators: |
Li, Fang and Kunze, Oliver |
| Title: |
A Comparative Review of Air Drones (UAVs) and Delivery Bots
(SUGVs) for Automated Last Mile Home Delivery |
| Item Type: |
Article or issue of a publication series |
| Projects: |
ILR |
| Journal or Series Title: |
Logistics |
| Page Range: |
Paper 21 |
| Additional Information: |
Open Access |
| Date: |
April 2023 |
| Divisions: |
Wirtschaftswissenschaften |
| Abstract (ENG): |
Background: UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and SUGVs (Sidewalk Unmanned Ground
Vehicles) are two prominent options to revolutionize last mile home delivery. However, there is
no literature yet addressing a comprehensive assessment of them. To bridge this research gap, this
paper aimed to compare UAVs to SUGVs in the context of urban parcel delivery from a practical,
conceptual, technological, commercial, and environmental perspective. Methodology: Based on
structured literature and web research, this paper provided a comparative status quo review of these
two delivery concepts. We introduced a parameter-based cost calculus model to estimate the costs
per shipment for each technology. To detect the key cost drivers, we applied a one-way sensitivity
analysis, as well as a “full factorial design of experiment” approach. Results: These key cost drivers for
both operations are the “number of vehicles per operator” and the “average beeline service radius”.
From today’s commercial point of view, our model indicated better profitability of SUGVs. However,
technical and regulatory developments may render different results in the future. As SUGVs emit
significantly less noise than UAVs, we assume that SUGVs have an additional advantage for usage in
autonomous urban last mile delivery from a resident’s perspective.
Conclusions: Both key cost drivers
will significantly influence the commercial viability of unmanned home delivery services. Safety and
security aspects will determine regulatory rules on “number of vehicles per operator”. To increase
the “average beeline service radius”, UAVs could profit from mothership delivery concepts while
SUGV delivery may co-use existing public transport infrastructure. |
| Forthcoming: |
No |
| Language: |
English |
| Link eMedia: |
Download |
| Citation: |
Li, Fang and Kunze, Oliver
(2023)
A Comparative Review of Air Drones (UAVs) and Delivery Bots
(SUGVs) for Automated Last Mile Home Delivery.
Logistics, 7 (2).
Paper 21.
ISSN 2305-6290
|
