Integrating Drones as Intralogistics Solutions in the Factory of the Future

The rise of highly customized manufacturing setups has challenged the current intralogistics systems, requiring greater flexibility in material handling. This paper proposes integrating drones as a complement to existing indoor material handling technologies. Unlike existing systems, the proposed framework leverages drones to enhance adaptability and responsiveness in dynamic production environments. A discrete event simulation of the drone delivery system is developed using FlexSim and compared with traditional batch production processes. The results showcase the potential of drone-based intralogistics to address emerging demands in flexible manufacturing setups, providing a new paradigm for material transport in highly variable industrial settings.