Towards Efficient Collaborative Delivery Solutions Using Drones and Ground Transportation: A Review

The increasing popularity of unmanned aerial vehi-cles (UAVs), also known as drones, in the logistics industry is attributed to their advantages such as low cost, energy efficiency, and independence from road conditions. However, drones face limitations including short endurance, small payload capacity, and susceptibility to interference. Therefore, the cooperative delivery model integrating drones with existing transportation modes holds both theoretical research significance and practical application value. This literature review aims to bridge the gap between theoretical discussions on routing algorithms and practical implementation strategies for efficient delivery using drones in collaboration with trucks, public transportation, and electric vehicles (EVs), While existing literature predominantly focuses optimal UAV routing algorithms, little research addresses the potential challenges faced during the practical implementation of integrated drone-ground transportation systems. Addressing these gaps is crucial for maximizing the potential of delivery drones within a sustainable logistics ecosystem. This review explores key areas including current UAV battery charging techniques, types of delivery drones, and the integration between drones and trucks, public transportation systems, and EVs for last-mile delivery (LMD) tasks. By addressing these critical aspects, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating drones into the existing transportation infrastructure, ultimately enhancing delivery efficiency.