UPS could navigate St Augustine deliveries by drone

United Parcel Service, operator of the big brown delivery trucks in St Augustine, informed Historic City News today that one of their vendors may have come up with a solution for navigating the city’s tight, congested streets; providing much needed relief for our never-ending traffic dilemma.

AMP Electric Vehicles and the University of Cincinnati have developed the “horsefly” drone that will be available as an optional add-on for electric-powered trucks under consideration by UPS.

“The Horsefly comes complete with four cameras and eight rotors,” researchers with the company told reporters.  “The add-on drone will be available once commercial drones are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.”

University of Cincinnati and AMP have already applied to the FAA for an outside drone test permit.

Although a spokesman explained that the drone is not for all deliveries, if, for example, a driver finds that they have four deliveries for the north end of St George Street and only one for Charlotte Street, the driver can continue to the larger four-parcel destination — send the drone to deliver the single parcel, and let the drone catch up with the delivery truck later.

The new technology:

The drone rides on top of the truck, but its claw sticks down into the cabin of the truck so the driver can hand it packages.

Here’s how it works:

• The truck cover rolls back and the drone takes off.
• Guided by GPS, the drone flies at an altitude of 400-feet.
• A certified pilot in a national call center will guide the drone as it descends.
• After the drop-off, the drone heads back to the truck.

GPS can get the drone within three feet of the truck; but then, a camera uses an infrared pattern on top of the truck to guide itself back into the landing bay.