Delivery system and method for middle-mile cargo delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles

A method for middle-mile delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the method comprising:

• controlling, by an autonomy computing system of an autonomous vehicle, operation of the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is in motion, the autonomous vehicle having therein an inventory and an inventory handler, the inventory including one or more cases, each case respectively containing one or more units;
• controlling, by an inventory management system communicatively coupled to the inventory handler, the inventory handler to position a first unit of the one or more units in a retrieval location;
• controlling, by a UAV control system, a first UAV to position the first UAV in a retrieving position relative to the autonomous vehicle;
• controlling, by the UAV control system, the first UAV, while in the retrieving position, to engage with the first unit;
• and
• controlling, by the UAV control system, the first UAV, with the first unit engaged therewith, to withdraw from the autonomous vehicle for delivery of the first unit.

A delivery system comprising:

• an autonomous vehicle comprising an autonomy computing system configured to control operation of the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is in motion, the autonomous vehicle containing an inventory and an inventory handler, the inventory including one or more cases, each case respectively containing one or more units;
• an inventory management system configured to manage the inventory and being communicatively coupled to the inventory handler, the inventory management system configured to, while the autonomous vehicle is in motion, control the inventory handler to position a first unit of the one or more units in a retrieval location;
• a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
• and
• a UAV control system configured to control operation of the first UAV, the UAV control system configured to, while the autonomous vehicle is in motion, control the first UAV to retrieve the first unit and withdraw from the autonomous vehicle for delivery of the first unit.