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Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Logistics: A Literature Review

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  • Yi Li

    (Network Social Development Research Center, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
    School of Economics and Management, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China)

  • Min Liu

    (School of Modern Posts, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China)

  • Dandan Jiang

    (School of Economics and Management, West Anhui University, Lu’an City 237012, China)

Abstract

The booming development of e-commerce has brought many challenges to the logistics industry. To ensure the sustainability of the logistics industry, the impact of environmental and social sustainability factors on logistics development needs to be considered. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)/drones are used in the logistics field because of their flexibility, low cost, environmental protection and energy-saving advantages, which can achieve both economic benefits and social benefits. This paper reviews 36 studies on UAVs applications in logistics from the Web of Science database from the past two years (2021–2022). The selected literature is classified into theoretical models (the traveling salesman problem and other path planning problems), application scenarios (medical safety applications and last-mile delivery problems) and other problems (UAV implementation obstacles, costs, pricing, etc.). Finally, future directions of UAVs are proposed, such as different application scenarios that can be considered and different algorithms that can be combined to optimize paths for UAVs to specific flight environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Li & Min Liu & Dandan Jiang, 2022. "Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Logistics: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:14473-:d:963028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao Zhang & Chun-Yan Xiao & Zhi-Guo Zhang, 2023. "Analysis and Empirical Study of Factors Influencing Urban Residents’ Acceptance of Routine Drone Deliveries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-27, September.
    2. Pedro Gabriel Villani & Paulo Sergio Cugnasca, 2024. "A POMDP Approach to Map Victims in Disaster Scenarios," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Sandra Alvarez Gallo & Julien Maheut, 2023. "Multi-Criteria Analysis for the Evaluation of Urban Freight Logistics Solutions: A Systematic Literature Review," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-24, September.
    4. Snežana Tadić & Mladen Krstić & Miloš Veljović & Olja Čokorilo & Milica Milovanović, 2024. "Risk Analysis of the Use of Drones in City Logistics," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Maren Schnieder, 2024. "Visualising Carrier Consolidation and Alternative Delivery Locations: A Digital Model of Last-Mile Delivery in England and Wales," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-14, August.
    6. Elena Zaitseva & Vitaly Levashenko & Ravil Mukhamediev & Nicolae Brinzei & Andriy Kovalenko & Adilkhan Symagulov, 2023. "Review of Reliability Assessment Methods of Drone Swarm (Fleet) and a New Importance Evaluation Based Method of Drone Swarm Structure Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-26, June.

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