Package delivery by means of an automated multi-copter UAS/UAV dispatched from a conventional delivery vehicle

A method of delivering a package from a depot to a delivery destination comprising the steps of:

• driving an electrically powered ground delivery vehicle from the depot to a first location remote from the delivery destination, the package and an electrically powered UAS/UAV flight vehicle being onboard the delivery vehicle;
• scanning at least one of a barcode and a QR code displayed on the package for location data of the delivery destination;
• loading the location data into a flight control system onboard of the UAS/UAV;
• loading the package onto a package holding mechanism of the UAS/UAV while onboard the delivery vehicle;
• launching the UAS/UAV and package from the delivery vehicle while at the first location into a flight pattern based on the location data;
• re-locating the delivery vehicle to a second location which is different from the first location;
• guiding the UAS/UAV and package to the delivery destination;
• landing the UAS/UAV and package at the delivery destination;
• unloading the package from the UAS/UAV at the delivery destination;
• returning the UAS/UAV to the delivery vehicle at the second location;
• docking the UAS/UAV with the delivery vehicle;
• electrically charging the UAS/UAV from the delivery vehicle;
• wherein the launching, returning and docking steps are each automated;
• wherein the guiding and unloading steps each further comprises intervention and supervision from a control center remote from both the delivery vehicle and the delivery destination;
• and
• driving the delivery vehicle from the second location back to the depot.

A method of delivering a first package to a first delivery destination, the method comprising the steps of:

• loading the first delivery destination into a flight control system of a UAS/UAV;
• loading the first package into a package holding mechanism of the UAS/UAV while onboard a delivery vehicle;
• launching the UAS/UAV and the first package from the delivery vehicle at a first location;
• flying the UAS/UAV and the first package toward the first delivery destination;
• unloading the first package from the UAS/UAV at the first delivery destination;
• re-locating the delivery vehicle to a second location which is different from the first location;
• returning the UAS/UAV to the delivery vehicle at the second location;
• and
• docking the UAS/UAV with the delivery vehicle at the second location.