Apparatus and method for loading and unloading cargo of air mobility

An apparatus for loading and unloading cargo, the apparatus comprising:

• a winch configured to be installed in an air mobility vehicle;
• a multiarticulated robot arm in communication with the winch and comprising a gripper provided capable of gripping a container;
• and
• a transfer robot capable of loading the container thereon and movable on the ground,
• wherein a control unit of the transfer robot is capable of communicating with a controller of the air mobility, and
• wherein on an upper plate of the transfer robot, a protrusion inserted into and coupled to a concave groove in a lower surface of the container is formed.

A method of loading and unloading cargo, the method comprising:

• hovering an air mobility vehicle without landing when the air mobility vehicle arrives at a destination of cargo loading or unloading;
• moving a transfer robot toward the destination and positioning below the air mobility;
• communicating between a control unit of the transfer robot and a controller of the air mobility;
• descending a multiarticulated robot arm and a gripper from a cargo hold of the air mobility vehicle;
• and
• detecting a positional deviation between the gripper and the transfer robot, and correcting the positional deviation,
• wherein the method further comprises:
• when unloading a container from the air mobility vehicle to the transfer robot,
• operating the multiarticulated robot arm to move the gripper toward the container to be unloaded;
• operating the gripper to grip the container;
• moving, by the multiarticulated robot arm, the gripper and the container toward a door of the cargo hold;
• and
• operating a winch after the door is opened, and lowering the multiarticulated robot arm, the gripper, and the container to an outside of the air mobility vehicle through an open opening of the cargo hold.