eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand

In the emerging paradigm of embodied intelligence, eVTOL technology holds significant potential to transform the low-altitude economy, particularly in short-distance emergency logistics and urban distribution. Companies like Meituan and Shunfeng (SF) are pioneering fixed low-altitude routes to reduc...

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Main Authors: Tao Li, Yingjun Du, Zemin Zhang, Yushun Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:World Electric Vehicle Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/16/4/220
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author Tao Li
Yingjun Du
Zemin Zhang
Yushun Wang
author_facet Tao Li
Yingjun Du
Zemin Zhang
Yushun Wang
author_sort Tao Li
collection DOAJ
description In the emerging paradigm of embodied intelligence, eVTOL technology holds significant potential to transform the low-altitude economy, particularly in short-distance emergency logistics and urban distribution. Companies like Meituan and Shunfeng (SF) are pioneering fixed low-altitude routes to reduce reliance on human delivery. We first investigate the performance and routing of Meituan’s eVTOL system, focusing on the dynamic optimization of eVTOL reserves and total costs at distribution stations under fluctuating order surges and charging constraints. An iterative algorithm is constructed, supported by numerical examples and Monte Carlo simulations. Our results reveal that cost parameters and demand characteristics jointly shape eVTOL incremental decision-making and its economic performance. To optimize costs, strategies like multi-period decentralized scheduling or low-frequency centralized decision-making are proposed. Future research will address limitations such as 2C charging effects and joint battery-eVTOL replenishment to further advance urban logistics and low-altitude economy development.
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issn 2032-6653
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
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series World Electric Vehicle Journal
spelling doaj-art-29f0c14a7dd247eeaf0cdd881cf5aead2025-08-20T02:18:21ZengMDPI AGWorld Electric Vehicle Journal2032-66532025-04-0116422010.3390/wevj16040220eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery DemandTao Li0Yingjun Du1Zemin Zhang2Yushun Wang3School of Artificial Intelligence Technology, Guangxi Technological College of Machinery and Electricity, No. 101 Da Xue Dong Road, Nanning 530007, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence Technology, Guangxi Technological College of Machinery and Electricity, No. 101 Da Xue Dong Road, Nanning 530007, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence Technology, Guangxi Technological College of Machinery and Electricity, No. 101 Da Xue Dong Road, Nanning 530007, ChinaSchool of Photoelectric Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou 213032, ChinaIn the emerging paradigm of embodied intelligence, eVTOL technology holds significant potential to transform the low-altitude economy, particularly in short-distance emergency logistics and urban distribution. Companies like Meituan and Shunfeng (SF) are pioneering fixed low-altitude routes to reduce reliance on human delivery. We first investigate the performance and routing of Meituan’s eVTOL system, focusing on the dynamic optimization of eVTOL reserves and total costs at distribution stations under fluctuating order surges and charging constraints. An iterative algorithm is constructed, supported by numerical examples and Monte Carlo simulations. Our results reveal that cost parameters and demand characteristics jointly shape eVTOL incremental decision-making and its economic performance. To optimize costs, strategies like multi-period decentralized scheduling or low-frequency centralized decision-making are proposed. Future research will address limitations such as 2C charging effects and joint battery-eVTOL replenishment to further advance urban logistics and low-altitude economy development.https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/16/4/220low-altitude economylow-altitude logisticseVTOL catering deliveryembodied intelligencesmart city complex terrainMonte Carlo simulation
spellingShingle Tao Li
Yingjun Du
Zemin Zhang
Yushun Wang
eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand
World Electric Vehicle Journal
low-altitude economy
low-altitude logistics
eVTOL catering delivery
embodied intelligence
smart city complex terrain
Monte Carlo simulation
title eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand
title_full eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand
title_fullStr eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand
title_full_unstemmed eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand
title_short eVTOL Dispatch Cost Optimization Under Time-Varying Low-Altitude Delivery Demand
title_sort evtol dispatch cost optimization under time varying low altitude delivery demand
topic low-altitude economy
low-altitude logistics
eVTOL catering delivery
embodied intelligence
smart city complex terrain
Monte Carlo simulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/16/4/220
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AT yingjundu evtoldispatchcostoptimizationundertimevaryinglowaltitudedeliverydemand
AT zeminzhang evtoldispatchcostoptimizationundertimevaryinglowaltitudedeliverydemand
AT yushunwang evtoldispatchcostoptimizationundertimevaryinglowaltitudedeliverydemand