Autonomous logistics
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Autonomous logistics describes systems that provide unmanned, autonomous transfer of equipment, baggage, people, information or resources from point-to-point with minimal intervention.
There are several subclasses of autonomous logistics:
- Aerial autonomous logistics
- Based on Unmanned aerial vehicle technology, aerial autonomous logistics provides transfer of resources and equipment in disaster relief situations, replenishment operations, reconnaissance operations where information is gathered, and general parcel or package delivery.
- Space autonomous logistics
- Describes the ability to provide logistics to and from space, be that orbital, lunar or beyond. Typical examples of this class are the Russian Progress spacecraft and the European Automated Transfer Vehicle.
- Above Water autonomous logistics
- Based on Unmanned surface vehicle technology, this class of vehicles provides a range of surface fleet replenishment and equipment transfer capabilities.
- Subsea autonomous logistics
- Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicle technology, these vehicles provide re-supply to underwater facilities, reconnaissance of underwater structures, emergency recovery capability, and so on.
Autonomous logistics is a new area being researched and currently there are few papers on the topic, with even fewer systems developed or deployed.