Vehicle Design and Functionality

Strong and Lightweight Hybrid VTOL

4-Dimensional Trajectory Planning and Execution

Standardized Flight Containers

The IFM delivery vehicles are uniquely designed for high throughput in Urban environments, which are characterized by tall buildings, and the need for flight trajectories to be especially precise in four dimensions -- space and time. Precision and Safety are the key factors in the design and functionality of these unique uncrewed automated vehicles.

The cornerstone of our delivery network is the flight vehicle, a product of harmonizing human expertise with Generative AI's design and analytical capabilities. This collaboration has birthed an airframe that stands out for its durability, lightness, and efficiency—attributes essential for navigating the complexities of urban delivery operations and our innovative shared asset strategy. Tailored to excel in the delivery of a diverse array of items—from critical documents and automotive parts to medical samples and even pizza—this vehicle is a testament to versatility and readiness. Moreover, it benefits from being engineered for affordability, incorporating low-cost manufacturing techniques alongside robotic assembly, maintenance, battery swaps, and inspections, significantly reducing both capital and operational expenses. In our quest to push the boundaries of what our aerial delivery system can achieve, we are also pioneering a hybrid vehicle equipped with insect-inspired folding winglets which don't require additional motors or control surfaces. This design innovation not only extends the vehicle's range but does so without significantly raising costs or exceeding the spatial constraints of our kiosk infrastructure, ensuring compatibility and efficiency across our delivery network.

Urban environments introduce distinct challenges not found in other drone delivery contexts, primarily due to the dense and ubiquitous presence of obstructions such as buildings and infrastructure. These settings are characterized by a diverse array of vehicle types vying for the same airspace, each with its own unique set of requirements and missions. The competition for airspace is further intensified by air taxis, which necessitate precise takeoff and landing operations. To navigate these complexities, the Control System incorporates trajectory autorouters capable of managing these dynamics with up to 0.5-meter precision and millisecond timing accuracy. However, this level of precision is only achievable if the drones themselves can adhere to these exacting flight paths. Our innovative Continuous Path Regulator (CPR) technology addresses this need by ensuring that drones execute their flight trajectories with unparalleled precision, maintaining strict adherence to scheduled times, positions, and velocities throughout the flight. This capability is pivotal for the system's ability to support a high density of flights, achieving rates of up to 1000 simultaneous, conflict-free flights within a single square mile of urban airspace, thereby setting a new standard for efficiency and safety in drone delivery services.

One significant criticism of drone delivery systems is their perceived inefficiency, notably because drones typically transport a single package to a destination and return without any cargo. This method contrasts sharply with small delivery trucks that can carry multiple packages to various locations in a single trip, optimizing delivery routes. The Industrial Flight and Magic (IFM) system addresses this inefficiency through the implementation of a standardized flight container system, which serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it streamlines the design and reduces the costs associated with vehicles, kiosks, and control systems. Secondly, IFM accommodates two container sizes: a larger format for substantial items and a smaller, one-third size version designed for grouping several smaller items together for a single flight. Additionally, these containers can be customized for temperature-sensitive deliveries, ensuring versatility across a broad range of shipping needs. This flexibility is enhanced by a network-wide distribution of containers, ensuring that if a specific type of container is needed, it can be readily supplied from the nearest kiosk or swiftly transferred from another location within the network. These standardized flight containers are meticulously designed to accommodate diverse cargo types, from boxed and loose items to bags, facilitating a seamless shipping process. From the moment a shipment is placed in a container until its retrieval by the recipient, human handling is eliminated, ensuring a secure and efficient delivery experience.

Dual Battery Packs

Batteries play a pivotal role in determining the balance between range and payload in vehicles. Within the IFM autonomy ecosystem, several additional considerations come into play. Firstly, batteries, as an essential component of this system, are charged at kiosks. The allocation of batteries across these kiosks needs to match anticipated traffic levels closely; an imbalance necessitates the redistribution of batteries among kiosks to ensure optimal operation. Secondly, the dynamics of vehicle operation vary significantly between fixed-wing and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicles. In fixed-wing vehicles, the Center of Gravity (COG) remains aligned beneath the vehicle's central point. Conversely, VTOL vehicles must tilt forward to initiate forward flight, causing the payload (indicated by the blue area in the accompanying diagram) to extend rearward, thereby shifting the COG. This rearward shift in COG exerts a force that tends to return the vehicle to a horizontal position, necessitating increased power to maintain forward flight. IFM vehicles are engineered to accommodate one or two battery packs (illustrated in red in the diagram). The standard battery pack is positioned above the vehicle's midline, enhancing the balance between the payload and COG, thus maintaining higher efficiency. The secondary battery pack, located at the midline, can either extend the vehicle's range or facilitate transitions between kiosks. When carrying a minimal payload, the system may adjust by positioning its single battery at the midline to optimize balance and efficiency.

Our delivery vehicles are engineered with an emphasis on minimizing weight while maximizing strength and optimizing the balance between range and payload capacity. The design philosophy prioritizes cost-effective manufacturing techniques, enabling low-cost production without compromising on durability or functionality. These vehicles are also tailored for ease of maintenance through automated systems, ensuring they meet stringent standards for full type certification and safety.

In a nod to versatility and operational efficiency, each vehicle is capable of carrying an additional battery. This flexibility allows for extended range options or the ability to transport spare batteries to kiosks, supporting the energy needs of the fleet. The cargo capacity is designed to accommodate one standard or up to three small carrier containers, facilitating the consolidation of deliveries into fewer flights, thereby enhancing efficiency.

A key feature of these vehicles is their navigation system, which plans trajectories in four dimensions—incorporating both spatial coordinates and time. This advanced planning enables the vehicles to operate within high-density airspace with exceptional precision. Despite this precision, the vehicles maintain the ability to dynamically maneuver for Detect and Avoid (DAA) purposes, ensuring safety in unpredictable airspace. Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication further enhances this safety, allowing for real-time adjustments to flight paths to optimize efficiency and avoid potential conflicts.

Crucially, the vehicles are designed for autonomy, capable of operating independently of constant communication with a base station. They possess the intelligence to plan and adjust their trajectories as needed, ensuring reliable delivery even in complex or changing environments. This combination of design innovations positions our fleet at the forefront of delivery technology, ready to meet the demands of the future with agility, efficiency, and safety.