Smart Last-Mile Delivery in Healthcare: The Role of AI, Drones, and Autonomous Vehicles

Abstract

The last mile of healthcare logistics represents one of the most complex, costly, and critical segments of the healthcare supply chain. It directly influences the accessibility, timeliness, and reliability of essential medical supplies such as vaccines, blood products, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic tools. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and autonomous ground vehicles have significantly transformed this domain, enabling real-time decision-making, enhanced delivery efficiency, and improved healthcare outcomes. This literature review synthesizes current research on smart last-mile delivery systems in healthcare, focusing on the integration of AI-driven optimization, drone-enabled delivery, and autonomous vehicle technologies. It examines operational benefits, system architectures, challenges, and future directions, while highlighting the implications for global health equity and emergency preparedness.