Delivery Fleet Management (DFM)

Side by Side: Google Earth rendering of downtown San Francisco, and the corresponding GIS map of 40,000 building footprints, parks, hospitals, and other system related data.

The Delivery Fleet Management (DFM) system represents the linchpin of the Industrial Flight and Magic (IFM) initiative, streamlining the intricacies of operational oversight across the network. This system is ingeniously designed to mitigate the complexities involved in managing the fleet of vehicles and kiosks, orchestrating customer interactions, coordinating deliveries, handling billing procedures, and ensuring safety standards are upheld throughout the network. Within each operational zone of the IFM network, a sophisticated central control system takes charge, ensuring seamless coordination across the entire infrastructure. This includes an array of kiosks and vehicles—both those directly managed by IFM and additional units integrated from specialized businesses seeking enhanced efficiency, priority asset control, or reduced transit times. The DFM system functions by aggregating and synthesizing data from a multitude of sources. This includes internal algorithms responsible for generating optimal flight trajectories, as well as external inputs from Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications, other Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or air traffic control systems, and regulatory entities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) LAANC system. By consolidating this wealth of information, the DFM system ensures that every element of the network, from individual drones to customer-facing kiosks, operates in harmony, maximizing efficiency and safety while minimizing operational costs and labor requirements. This comprehensive approach enables the IFM to deliver an unmatched level of service, responsiveness, and reliability in the dynamic field of drone delivery services.

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At Industrial Flight and Magic, our Delivery Flight Management (DFM) system is the backbone of our innovative drone delivery service, providing seamless, efficient, and safe package transportation. Here's how our system transforms the delivery experience:

User Request and Package Submission

Multiple Entry Points: Users can request deliveries via an API for automated inventory systems or through a mobile app for individual requests.

No Labelling Required: The User may label the package, but as the system tracks every movement of every package without human intervention, labels are not required.

Once the system has evaluated the shipment request it will plan any required movements of assets, AI-driven vehicle and mission requirements, and potential trajectories. It will then place a marker in the tracking system which will usually be flagged green but could be yellow if there are some delays the controller might need to consider or red if there is a problem that requires controller intervention. Each marker may be expanded to see all information about the vehicle status. If there are no issues, the system will begin Preflight Checklist.

Preflight Checks

Automated Safety Checks: Vehicles undergo comprehensive preflight checks, including battery status, weather conditions, and safety protocols, ensuring readiness for takeoff. Controller Oversight: The system provides a window for controller review and approval, with options for manual intervention if necessary.

In-Flight Management

Real-Time Updates: Users receive live updates on their delivery's progress, including estimated arrival times and vehicle status, through a dynamic interface. Safety and Compliance: Our system ensures all flights are compliant with FAA regulations and are equipped with Detect and Avoid (DAA) capabilities for unmanned traffic management.

Completion and Standby

Secure Delivery: Upon arrival, packages are securely deposited at the designated kiosk, with recipients notified for pickup. Ready for Next Mission: Vehicles can be automatically prepped for their next delivery, including battery swaps and loading, without manual intervention.

The Delivery Fleet Management (DFM) system is a sophisticated orchestration tool designed to enhance operational efficiency and safety within the drone delivery network. It leverages high-resolution Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to accommodate intricate details such as restricted areas, designated corridors, and the integration of multiple vehicle types. This comprehensive approach enables the DFM system to automatically process incoming delivery requests, strategically relocate assets as needed, compute optimal flight trajectories, and conduct thorough pre-flight checks. Before any flight commences, a designated safety officer may be required to review and approve the planned route, ensuring all operational parameters meet stringent safety standards. Once approved, flights are automatically monitored to guarantee adherence to their predefined paths and schedules. Monitoring extends beyond the fleet to include the kiosks, which are vital nodes within the delivery network. The system keeps a vigilant eye on kiosk status, identifying when they may be approaching full capacity, running low on inventory, or require additional vehicle services or battery swaps. This preemptive monitoring ensures a seamless flow of operations, minimizing downtime and maximizing delivery efficiency. Vehicles within the fleet are subject to a rigorous maintenance schedule, automatically cycling through robotic maintenance kiosks for regular inspections. With the advent of Revision 2, these maintenance kiosks will gain the capability to perform repairs and replace components commonly identified as failure points, further streamlined by predictive maintenance algorithms. This advancement promises to significantly reduce maintenance turnaround times and enhance the reliability of the delivery fleet. Operators overseeing the DFM system are afforded a comprehensive overview of all operational aspects, from individual vehicle statuses to kiosk conditions. The system is designed to prioritize and highlight issues requiring immediate attention, facilitating quick decision-making and intervention. This level of visibility and system triage ensures that operators can maintain optimal network performance with minimal manual intervention, focusing their expertise where it is most needed. Day, night, and poor weather conditions can alter the flight requirements of a vehicle's trajectory, and the DFM takes all of these requirements into account.