Abstract:
An embodiment article delivery system, and corresponding method, includes a ground-based parent delivery vehicle and a plurality of child delivery vehicles configured to hold one or more articles for an article delivery to or from a customer location. The parent is configured to carry the child vehicles simultaneously, to transport them to at least one discharge location, and to discharge at least one of the child vehicles at discharge location. The child vehicle is configured to execute a hold instruction including waiting at a hold location following the discharge from the parent delivery vehicle. The child is further configured to navigate from the hold location to the customer location for the article delivery, the customer location differing from the hold location. Embodiment systems and methods can enable significant increases in product delivery efficiency or other article distribution efficiency.