Method for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle to a destination

A method (20) performed in a network entity (4, 11, 12) is provided for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle (2) to a destination. The method (20) comprises obtaining (21) route information for at least a first vehicle (3a, 3b) and for the unmanned aerial vehicle (2), establishing (22), based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle (3a, 3b) is fulfilled, and transmitting (23), to the unmanned vehicle (2), information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle (2) to co-travel with the first vehicle (3a, 3b). Methods in an unmanned aerial vehicle and in a network entity, and an unmanned aerial vehicle, network entity, computer programs and computer program products are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2016/078643, filed Nov. 24, 2016, designating the United States.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology disclosed herein relates generally to the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, and in particular to methods for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle to a destination, method for increased efficiency in reaching a destination, network entity, unmanned aerial vehicle, computer programs and computer program products.

BACKGROUND

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), often denoted drones, are becoming more and more common and used for various purposes. Drones may, for instance, be used in aerial surveillance, professional aerial surveying, commercial and motion picture filmmaking, news gathering for journalism, observation by police forces, search and rescue operations, scientific research, disaster relief, cargo transportation etc. The small unmanned-aircraft-systems are rapidly becoming a large market, including services and applications. It is foreseen that there will also be many other types of unmanned vehicles besides the UAVs, such as for instance self-driving trucks, cars, trains, busses and boats.

One particular example of an application for drones is the delivery of mail and packages to remotely located areas. For example, in some parts of the world on-line retailers use drones for delivering packages and in other parts of the world drones are used for delivering mail.

Drones may be battery-powered and/or fuel powered, i.e. carries batteries and/or fuel, and since the drones are relatively small their range is therefore limited. A problem when the drones are intended for use in businesses involving longer distances is therefore the risk of drained batteries or risk of running out of fuel. Further, the travel time for the drones may be too long for meeting requirements such as delivery times.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present teachings is to address and improve various aspects for unmanned vehicles and in particular for unmanned aerial vehicles. A particular objective is to enable time and energy savings for such vehicles. This objective and others are achieved by the methods, devices, computer programs and computer program products according to the appended independent claims, and by the embodiments according to the dependent claims.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a method in a network entity for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle to a destination. The method comprises obtaining route information for at least a first vehicle and for the unmanned aerial vehicle; establishing, based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle is fulfilled, and transmitting, to the unmanned vehicle, information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle to co-travel with the first vehicle.

By means of the method, unmanned aerial vehicles are enabled to travel more efficiently, in particular enabled to save time as well as energy. The unmanned aerial vehicle may travel longer distances and often also in a more time-efficient way. Further, the co-traveling possibility may also be beneficial in view of environmental influence.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a computer program for a network entity. The computer program comprises computer program code, which, when run on at processing circuitry of the network entity causes the network entity to perform the method as above.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a computer program product comprising a computer program as above and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a network entity for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle to a destination. The network entity is configured to obtain route information for at least a first vehicle and for the unmanned aerial vehicle, establish, based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle is fulfilled, and transmit, to the unmanned vehicle, information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle to co-travel with the first vehicle.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a method performed in an unmanned aerial vehicle for increased efficiency in reaching a destination. The method comprises providing route information to a network entity, receiving, from the network entity, information enabling co-traveling with a first vehicle, and initiating, based on the received information, co-traveling with the first vehicle for at least part of a remaining distance to the destination.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a computer program for an unmanned aerial vehicle. The computer program comprises computer program code, which, when run on at processing circuitry of the unmanned aerial vehicle causes the unmanned aerial vehicle to perform the method as above.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by a computer program product comprising a computer program as above and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.

The objective is according to an aspect achieved by an unmanned aerial vehicle for increased efficiency in reaching a destination. The unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to provide route information to a network entity, receive, from the network entity, information enabling co-traveling with a first vehicle, and initiate, based on the received information, co-traveling with the first vehicle for at least part of a remaining distance to the destination.

Further features and advantages of the embodiments of the present teachings will become clear upon reading the following description and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Same reference numerals refer to same or similar elements throughout the description.

Briefly, a communications network (e.g. 4G or 5G), or a network entity thereof, obtains information about unmanned and/or manned vehicles and their travelling routes. Based on this knowledge, the unmanned vehicles (in particular unmanned aerial vehicle) may be redirected to land and dock onto other vehicles (unmanned or manned) such as, e.g., trucks, traveling along a route that is in common for them both. If the unmanned vehicle co-travels with the other vehicle in such way for at least a period of time it can save energy and time. This may be viewed as a “network organized drone hitchhiking”.

FIG. 1illustrates a system in which embodiments according to the present teachings may be implemented. There are, as mentioned, various types of unmanned vehicles, for example of unmanned aerial vehicles2, in the following also denoted drone2.FIG. 1also illustrates other vehicles3a,3b, which may be another type of unmanned vehicle, e.g. a self-driving truck3a, or a more conventional vehicle3bdriven by a driver.

The drone2may be provided with a communication unit such that it is able to communicate in a communications system1, e.g. with network node thereof. InFIG. 1the communications system1is illustrated comprising a number of network nodes and/or network entities. The communications system1comprises a wireless access network5, which may, for instance, be a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G cellular radio access network (as a particular example Long Term Evolution, LTE, can be mentioned). The wireless access network5in turn comprises a number of network nodes4(e.g. radio access nodes). The communications system1may also comprise a core network10comprising core network nodes11(also denoted backbone nodes), such as e.g. mobility management nodes or subscriber databases. The communications system1may comprise, have access to or be interconnected with other network elements, for instance, network nodes12of a cloud computing environment6comprising a number of cloud computing nodes12, or other packet data network, such as Internet.

The network node4of the wireless access network5(in the figure indicated as radio access network, RAN) may provide and control one or more respective coverage area(s), often denoted cell(s) C1, C2. Further, the network node4may have wireless communication with drones2that have the mentioned communication unit for receiving such signaling and transmitting signaling according to the access technology at hand. The network node4may implement different wireless access technologies, such as 3G, 4G, LTE or 5G, to mention a few examples. Further, the network node4may be denoted in different ways depending on standards implemented in the communications system1. For instance, while an access node handling the wireless communication with devices is known as base transceiver station (BTS) in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), it is known as evolved Node B or eNB in Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems. These network nodes4typically provide wireless communication for communication devices e.g. user equipment (UE). The network node4may also, according to embodiments of the present teachings, communicate wirelessly with drones2equipped with a communication module adapted to the wireless communication standard used in the communications system1. The drone communication can be based, for instance, on LTE (or 5G), on Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, or similar with both network assisted and direct Device-to-Device (D2D) communication.

The vehicle(s)3a,3bwith which the drone2may co-travel may be an unmanned vehicle3a, e.g. a self-driving truck or a conventional vehicle3b. The line indicated by R1describes a route of the first vehicle3a, and the line indicated by R3describes a route of a second vehicle3b. The line indicated by R2describes the route of a drone2as initially planned, i.e. when not implementing a method according to the present teachings. This route R2may typically be the shortest path between the starting point and destination point. The dotted lines show the route for the same drone2when implementing the method according to the present teachings. In particular, a network entity4,11,12of the communications system1is assumed to have knowledge of the routes of the first vehicle3a, of the second vehicle3band of the drone2. The network entity4,11,12evaluates if it would be beneficial for the drone2to co-travel with the first vehicle3aand/or the second vehicle3bfor some distance in order to save time and/or energy for the drone2. If this is confirmed, the network entity4,11,12calculates a new route for the drone2such that it meets up with the first vehicle3asomewhere on the first vehicle's3aroute R1. The drone2is redirected such as to co-travel with the first vehicle3a, and the drone2may land on the first vehicle3a, e.g. at a docking station on the roof of the first vehicle3a. The drone2then co-travels with the first vehicle3auntil a position where the network entity4,11,12has instructed the drone2to leave the first vehicle3aagain. From there the drone2may fly directly to its intended destination or co-travel with a second vehicle3b(the latter shown inFIG. 1).

Although the initially planned route R2for the drone2may be the shortest, it is not necessarily the fastest. The drone2may for instance have a lower speed than e.g. a vehicle on the road and the drone2may save transport time by co-traveling with the vehicle3a,3b. In other instances the drone2may not be able to reach a destination (even if traveling the shortest path) due to risk of running out of e.g. battery or fuel, and therefore benefit from the co-traveling.

FIG. 2illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the present teachings. In step1the network entity4,11,12gathers information about routes of vehicles3a,3band drones2. The network entity4,11,12may in this step also find out which vehicles3a,3baccept to be used for co-traveling. In order for the drone2to not fall off the vehicles3a,3b, the drone2may temporarily fix itself to the vehicle3a,3bfor example by means of suction cups or magnetic undercarriage or the like. In other embodiments the vehicle3is equipped with a docking station suitable for drones2.

In step2the network entity4,11,12evaluates if there are any benefits with a drone2co-traveling with any vehicle3a,3b. In some embodiments this evaluation is done in a cloud environment. The evaluation can, for example, be performed by letting the network entity4,11,12calculate all possible different routes for the drone2(including the co-traveling) and then choose the most suitable with respect to some metric, such as, for example, time consumption, energy consumption etc.

In step3the network entity4,11,12signals the new route to the drone2(if it is on its way already), which is hence redirected. The route may also be planned beforehand, i.e. before the drone2takes off. The route planning and route directing of the drone2may be dynamically changed. If necessary the network entity4,11,12may also signal some instructions to the vehicle3a,3b, for example to slow down or park during the landing of the drone2.

In some embodiments the docking station on the vehicle3a,3bcomprises an energy charger by means of which the drone2may charge its batteries, hence extending its range.

In other embodiments the new drone route comprises co-traveling with multiple different vehicles3a,3bin order to optimize the time and/or energy consumption for the drone2.

In some embodiments, the drone2can move from a first vehicle3ato a second vehicle3bsince the network entity4,11,12may establish that the drone2can arrive closer to its final destination by combining the routes of different vehicles3a,3b.

In some embodiments, the drone2can be directed to drop off e.g. a packet on a vehicle3a,3b, which is then picked up by a second drone at another location. The second drone may be instructed to deliver the packet to its final destination or placing it on another vehicle along a pre-calculated route. A total route may thus be pre-calculated for a packet, wherein the total route may comprise one or more drones. The pre-calculated route may be dynamically changed; the network entity4,11,12may for instance obtain data relating to the traffic situation along the route and determine that although a drone would save energy by co-traveling with a bus or lorry, a delivery time cannot be met due to a traffic congestion. The network entity4,11,12may therefore dynamically changed the pre-calculated route.

It is noted that although the embodiments thus far has been described in relation to an unmanned aerial vehicle, the teachings are applicable also for other types of unmanned vehicles.

The various features and embodiments that have been described can be combined in many different ways, examples of which are given in the following with reference first toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates a flow chart over steps of an embodiment of a method in a network entity in accordance with the present teachings.

The method20may be performed in a network entity4,11,12for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle (2) to a destination. The method20may, for instance, be performed in a radio access node (e.g. eNB), in an entity (e.g. cloud computing node) of a cloud computing environment6or in another network entity, e.g. in a core network10. In other embodiments the method20is performed in a distributed manner involving several network nodes. In such embodiments, some steps are performed in a cloud computing node (e.g. obtaining route information and establishing fulfilment of criterion or criteria) and the actual transmitting may be performed in a radio access node.

The method20comprises obtaining21route information for at least a first vehicle3a,3band for the unmanned aerial vehicle2. In preferred embodiments, route information is obtained for several vehicles. The larger the number of vehicles that accept a co-traveling unmanned aerial vehicle is, the more possibilities there are to find routes that give the desired advantages, e.g. reduced energy consumption and total travel time for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The route information may be combined in many different ways, for optimizing e.g. the travel time of the unmanned aerial vehicle. For instance, the unmanned aerial vehicle may co-travel with a first vehicle3a,3bto a first destination and then co-travel with a second vehicle for the rest of the way or parts of the way to the final destination.

The method20comprises establishing22, based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bis fulfilled. The criterion may, for instance, be that fuel savings that is enabled by the co-traveling is above a certain threshold, or that the time savings enabled by the co-traveling is above a certain threshold.

The method20comprises transmitting23, to the unmanned vehicle2, information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle2to co-travel with the first vehicle3a,3b. The transmitting23comprises a transmission between the network entity performing the method20and the unmanned vehicle2irrespective of whether there are intermediate nodes between them. Thus, depending on the entity in which the method20is implemented, the transmitting may be a direct transmission between the network entity4,11,12and the unmanned vehicle2, in other embodiments the transmitting comprises initiating or triggering the transmission of the information. For instance, in embodiments wherein the method20is implemented in a cloud computing node, the cloud computing node may perform the transmitting23via various intermediate nodes. The cloud computing node may then be seen as initiating the last link of transmission of information (last link being from a radio access node to the unmanned vehicle2) by sending the information to this radio access node (possibly via various other nodes).

The method20provides several advantages, as has been described. For instance, the method20enables reduction of time and energy consumption of unmanned aerial vehicles by allowing them to co-travel with other vehicles for part of a route between a starting point and a destination.

In some embodiments, the establishing22comprises determining that one or both of a time saving and energy saving is obtained when co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bfor at least part of remaining distance to the destination. As has been described, the criteria for co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3b(and possibly other vehicles) may be that the time saving is above a certain threshold, that a arrival time is met, that the possible energy saving is above a certain threshold, etc.

In various embodiments, the establishing22comprises:calculating at least one route from a current location of the unmanned vehicle2to the destination,determining that the at least one route at least partly overlaps with a route defined for the first vehicle3a,3b, anddetermining that the criterion is fulfilled.

It is again noted that in preferred embodiments, several routes including several vehicles are taken into account.

In various embodiments, transmitting23the information comprises transmitting one or more of: identification of the first vehicle3a,3b, docking location, undocking location, route from current location to a docking location and docking alternatives.

In various embodiments, the obtaining21route information comprises one or more of: polling information from one or more vehicles3a,3b, receiving information from one or more vehicles3a,3b, obtaining traffic information from a database and obtaining route information from a database, receiving information from the unmanned aerial vehicle2, obtaining a destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle2, obtaining a current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle2.

In various embodiments, the route information comprises routes defined for one or more vehicles3a,3b, traffic information on traffic along routes, destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle2, a current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle2. There are many parameters that may affect e.g. possible time savings. Taking e.g. current traffic situation (traffic accidents, congestions etc.) into account may improve enabled time and energy savings.

FIG. 4illustrates schematically a network entity and means for implementing embodiments of the method in accordance with the present teachings. The network entity4,11,12comprises processing circuitry30, which may be any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product31, e.g. in the form of a storage medium31. The processing circuitry30may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The processing circuitry30is configured to cause the network entity4,11,12to perform a set of operations, or steps, e.g. as described in relation toFIG. 2orFIG. 3. For example, the storage medium31may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry30may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium31to cause the network entity4,11,12to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. The processing circuitry30is thereby arranged to execute methods as disclosed herein.

The network entity4,11,12may also comprise an input/output device33for communicating with other entities and devices. The input/output device33may be an interface and may, for instance, comprise a protocol stack, for communication with other devices or entities. The input/output device33may be used for receiving data input and for outputting data, and/or receiving/transmitting wireless signaling.

A network entity4,11,12is provided for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle2to a destination. The network entity4,11,12is configured to:obtain route information for at least a first vehicle3a,3band for the unmanned aerial vehicle2,establish, based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bis fulfilled, andtransmit, to the unmanned vehicle2, information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle2to co-travel with the first vehicle3a,3b.

The network entity4,11,12may be configured to perform the above steps e.g. by comprising processing circuitry30and memory31, the memory31containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry30, whereby the network entity4,11,12is operative to perform the steps. That is, in an embodiment, a network entity4,11,12is provided. The network entity4,11,12comprises processing circuitry30and memory31, the memory31containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry30, whereby network entity4,11,12is operative to: obtain route information for at least a first vehicle and for the unmanned aerial vehicle, establish, based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle is fulfilled, and transmit, to the unmanned vehicle, information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle to co-travel with the first vehicle.

In some embodiments, the network entity4,11,12is configured to establish by determining that one or both of a time saving and energy saving is obtained when co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bfor at least part of remaining distance to the destination.

In various embodiments, the network entity4,11,12is configured to establish by:calculating at least one route from a current location of the unmanned vehicle2to the destination,determining that the at least one route at least partly overlaps with a route defined for the first vehicle3a,3b, anddetermining that the criterion is fulfilled.

In various embodiments, the network entity4,11,12is configured to transmit one or more of: identification of the first vehicle3a,3b, docking location, undocking location, route from current location to a docking location and docking alternatives.

In various embodiments, the network entity4,11,12is configured to obtain the route information by one or more of: polling information from one or more vehicles3a,3b, receiving information from one or more vehicles3a,3b, obtaining traffic information from a database and obtaining route information from a database, receiving information from the unmanned aerial vehicle2, obtaining a destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle2, obtaining a current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle2.

In various embodiments, route information comprises routes defined for one or more vehicles3a,3b, traffic information on traffic along routes, destination for the unmanned aerial vehicle2, a current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle2.

The present teachings also encompass a computer program32for a network entity4,11,12for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle2to a destination. The computer program32comprises computer program code, which, when executed on at least one processor on the network entity4,11,12, causes the network entity4,11,12to perform the method according to any of the described embodiments.

The present teachings also encompass computer program products31for a network entity4,11,12for directing an unmanned aerial vehicle2to a destination. The computer program product31comprises the computer program32for implementing the embodiments of the methods as described, and a computer readable means on which the computer program32is stored. The computer program product, or the memory, thus comprises instructions executable by the processor30. Such instructions may be comprised in a computer program, or in one or more software modules or function modules. The computer program product31may be any combination of random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM), Flash memory, magnetic tape, Compact Disc (CD)-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc etc.

FIG. 5illustrates a network entity comprising function modules/software modules for implementing embodiments in accordance with the present teachings. The function modules can be implemented using software instructions such as computer program executing in a processor and/or using hardware, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays, discrete logical components etc., and any combination thereof. Processing circuitry may be provided, which may be adaptable and in particular adapted to perform any of the steps of the method20that has been described in various embodiments.

The network entity4,11,12comprises a first module41for obtaining route information for at least a first vehicle and for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The first module41may, for instance, comprise processing circuitry adapted for obtaining route information, and/or receiving circuitry for receiving route information.

The network entity4,11,12comprises a second module42for establishing, based on the route information, that a criterion for co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bis fulfilled. The second module42may, for instance, comprise processing circuitry adapted to establish the fulfilment of the criterion. As a particular example, the second module42may comprise processing circuitry adapted to determine fulfilment of a criterion by performing a comparison.

The network entity4,11,12comprises a third module43for transmitting, to the unmanned vehicle2, information enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle2to co-travel with the first vehicle3a,3b. The third module43may, for instance, comprise transmitting circuitry.

It is noted that one or more of the modules41,42,43may be replaced by units.

FIG. 6illustrates a flow chart over steps of an embodiment of a method in an unmanned aerial vehicle in accordance with the present teachings.

A method50is provided, that may be performed in an unmanned aerial vehicle2for increased efficiency in reaching a destination. The method50comprises providing51route information to a network entity4,11,12. As mentioned earlier, the unmanned aerial vehicle2may be provided with a communication unit for wireless transmission with a radio access node, and the unmanned aerial vehicle2may thereby provide the information to the network entity.

The method50comprises receiving52, from the network entity4,11,12, information enabling co-traveling with a first vehicle3a,3b.

The method50comprises initiating53, based on the received information, co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bfor at least part of a remaining distance to the destination.

In some embodiments, the receiving52comprises receiving instructions for reaching the first vehicle3a,3b, the instructions comprising one or more of: location of the first vehicle3a,3bat which to attach to the first vehicle3a,3b, route to a location of the first vehicle3a,3bat which to attach to the first vehicle3a,3band information relating to attachment procedure.

In some embodiments, the initiating53comprises changing route towards a location at which to attach to the first vehicle3a,3b.

FIG. 7illustrates schematically an unmanned aerial vehicle and means for implementing embodiments in accordance with the present teachings.

The unmanned aerial vehicle2may be provided with a communication unit such that it is able to communicate in a communications system1(as described e.g. in relation toFIG. 1). InFIG. 7such communication unit is exemplified as an input/output device63. The input/output device63may be an interface and may, for instance, comprise a protocol stack, for communication with other devices or entities. The input/output device63may be used for receiving data input and for outputting data, and/or receiving/transmitting wireless signaling.

The unmanned aerial vehicle2comprises processing circuitry60, which may be any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product61, e.g. in the form of a storage medium61. The processing circuitry60may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The processing circuitry60is configured to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle2to perform a set of operations, or steps, e.g. as described in relation toFIG. 5. For example, the storage medium61may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry60may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium61to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle2to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. The processing circuitry60is thereby arranged to execute methods as disclosed herein.

The storage medium61may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

An unmanned aerial vehicle2is provided for increased efficiency in reaching a destination. The unmanned aerial vehicle2is configured to:provide route information to a network entity4,11,12,receive, from the network entity4,11,12, information enabling co-traveling with a first vehicle3a,3b, andinitiate, based on the received information, co-traveling with the first vehicle3a,3bfor at least part of a remaining distance to the destination.

The unmanned aerial vehicle2may be configured to perform the above steps e.g. by comprising processing circuitry60and memory61, the memory61containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry60, whereby the unmanned aerial vehicle2is operative to perform the steps. That is, in an embodiment, a unmanned aerial vehicle2is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle2comprises processing circuitry60and memory61, the memory61containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry60, whereby unmanned aerial vehicle is operative to: provide route information to a network entity, receive, from the network entity information enabling co-traveling with a first vehicle, and initiate, based on the received information, co-traveling with the first vehicle for at least part of a remaining distance to the destination.

In an embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle2is, configured to receive instructions for reaching the first vehicle3a,3b, the instructions comprising one or more of: location of the first vehicle3a,3bat which to attach to the first vehicle3a,3b, route to a location of the first vehicle3a,3bat which to attach to the first vehicle3a,3band information relating to attachment procedure.

In an embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle2is, configured to initiate by changing route towards a location at which to attach to the first vehicle3a,3b.

FIG. 8illustrates an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising function modules/software modules for implementing embodiments of the present teachings. The function modules can be implemented using software instructions such as computer program executing in a processor and/or using hardware, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays, discrete logical components etc., and any combination thereof. Processing circuitry may be provided, which may be adaptable and in particular adapted to perform any of the steps of the method50that has been described in various embodiments.

An unmanned aerial vehicle2is provided for increased efficiency in reaching a destination. The unmanned aerial vehicle2comprises a first module71for providing route information to a network entity4,11,12. Such first module71may, for instance, comprise transmitting circuitry or an output device.

The unmanned aerial vehicle2comprises a second module72for receiving, from the network entity, information enabling co-traveling with a first vehicle. Such second module72may, for instance, comprise receiving circuitry or an input device.

The unmanned aerial vehicle2comprises a third module73for initiating, based on the received information, co-traveling with the first vehicle for at least part of a remaining distance to the destination. Such second module72may, for instance, comprise processing circuitry adapted for initiating co-traveling with vehicles.

Methods and entities are disclosed, wherein a network entity evaluates, based on information on drone routes and vehicle routes (both unmanned and manned), if a drone can benefit from co-traveling with or placing its cargo on other vehicles. If so, the network signals the new routes to the drone and the corresponding vehicles.

The invention has mainly been described herein with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the particular ones disclosed herein are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.