A Path Planning Model for Stock Inventory Using a Drone

Abstract

In this study, a model and solution are shown for controlling the inventory of a logistics warehouse in which neither satellite positioning nor IoT solutions can be used. Following a review of the literature on path planning, a model is put forward using a drone that can be moved in all directions and is suitable for imaging and transmission. The proposed model involves three steps. In the first step, a traversal path definition provides an optimal solution, which is pre-processing. This is in line with the structure and capabilities of the warehouse. In the second step, the pre-processed path determines the real-time movement of the drone during processing, including camera movements and image capture. The third step is post-processing, i.e., the processing of images for QR code identification, the interpretation of the QR code, and the examination of matches and discrepancies for inventory control. A key benefit for the users of this model is that the result can be achieved without any external orientation tools, relying solely on its own movement and the organization of a pre-planned route. The proposed model can be effective not only for inventory control, but also for exploring the structure of a warehouse shelving system and determining empty cells.

Internet Strategy As An Opportunity And Challenge For Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises

“…Today, cloud-based services are increasingly popular for drone work [13], [14]. It provides a good solution for the storage and processing of data collected by drones in the case of inventory control [15], [16].…”

A Path Planning Model with a Genetic Algorithm for Stock Inventory Using a Swarm of Drones

“…Based on a quadrotor drone, they proposed a route-planning method that uses a drone equipped with an RFID reader to carry out inventory of industrial product warehouses. Since the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) tends to converge prematurely when solving routing problems and tends to fall into local optima (which, according to our experience [23], often happens), PSO is improved and a differential evolution based a repair method is suggested. The fitness-adaptive differential evolution algorithm (FiADE) and PSO were mixed (used previously [24,25]) and further developed for further application in three-dimensional space.…”

“…In order to solve the inventory task, it is necessary to examine which drones are suitable for performing the task. Our previous investigations [23] showed that autonomous drones are needed for the task. For a drone to be fully autonomous, the ability to localize is very essential.…”

“…In our case, we worked with a complex warehouse structure, unlike ref. [23]. The structure of the warehouse can be recognized with a preliminary structure recognition algorithm using the previous ones.…”

“…A model that uses an omnidirectional drone capable of moving in all directions for imaging and transmission was presented in ref. [23]. The proposed model includes three steps.…”