4 ms·
Seems like the best compromise is something like the "drone spitter" delivery trucks from Ready Player One. The truck wouldn't need to slow down (let alone sto
by schiffern 3y ago
Seems like the best compromise is something like the "drone spitter" delivery trucks from Ready Player One.
The truck wouldn't need to slow down (let alone stop), multiple drones would give high utilization, and you could further optimize delivery routes by "crow flying" to houses that aren't even on the same street.
https://www.inverse.com/article/43043-ready-player-one-drone-postal-trucks https://www.inverse.com/article/43043-ready-player-one-drone...
https://www.imcdb.org/v001094117.html https://www.imcdb.org/v001094117.html
- floren 3y agoAnytime you think, "ah, the solution is this thing from Ready Player One", step back and remember the following: - that book was set in a shitty gig economy dystopia, even if the main character managed to personally get rich in the end - that book was fucking terrible and it's frankly embarrassing that grown adults make reference to it in a positive manner
- ant_li0n 3y agoYou know what’s even worse? The audiobook version, narrated by Will Wheaton.
- TheDudeMan 3y agoI had to watch an ad before I could watch that company's commercial.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- samtho 3y agoI suspect this still only works if you can utilize the capacity and have simultaneous deliveries, which would required a cluster of deliveries, thus likely not good for rural areas.
- schiffern 3y ago>I suspect this still only works if you can utilize the capacity and have simultaneous deliveries You can still eliminate inefficient stop-and-go driving for some fraction of stops (ie not U-turns), and (most important) the time-wasting "last 100 feet" walk. Sure it's not as superior in rural areas vs suburban, but with low enough overhead you could still beat a traditional truck. Naturally if the drone gear cost millions of dollars and took up half the truck, then I'd agree it wouldn't be worth it. In reality I don't think that's the trade. UPS showed off an interesting "roof mounted" hardware approach (ignoring how they depict of the rest of the ops model). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYBu2glKHTA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYBu2glKHTA
- MichaelZuo 3y agoThe numbers I've seen don't pencil out costwise even without assuming the more fuel efficient hybrid and electric trucks becoming popular. Can you share why you think it makes sense cost wise?
- olyjohn 3y agoWho is gonna take the box off the shelf in the truck and attach it to the drone? Boxes are stacked on the truck and move all around, not set neatly spaced on a shelf that doesn't move. You'll need another robot to do that for you.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]