Airborne Bird Strike Detection via Stereo Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bird detection and avoidance systems are ineffective for mid-air strikes, particularly for non-commercial aircraft like unmanned aerial vehicles, as they are mostly ground-based and do not protect against collisions throughout the aircraft's movement envelope, leading to potential damage and significant operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an image capture system connected to a vehicle, which captures and transmits images, and a detection system that processes these images to identify potential collisions, generates a strike avoidance report, and sends commands to avoid the strike, using multiple cameras for stereo vision and tracking the movement of airborne objects relative to the aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based detection systems are used, then detection capability near airports is improved, but protection against mid-air strikes throughout the movement envelope is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from ground-based detection to airborne detection by mounting cameras on the aircraft itself, enabling detection throughout the entire movement envelope including mid-air strikes. This dimensional shift from ground level to aircraft-mounted provides comprehensive coverage across all altitudes and distances.
2Reliability
If aircraft are designed to withstand bird impacts, then safety is improved, but aerodynamic performance may be affected and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and tracking of birds before they can cause damage. By identifying potential strike risks in advance and providing alerts to pilots, the system enables preventive action to avoid collisions entirely, rather than relying on protective design features that would compromise aerodynamics.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used for stereo vision, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functionality of multiple cameras into a unified detection and tracking system. By combining stereo vision capability with integrated processing that automatically calculates distance, speed, and strike risk, the system achieves high detection accuracy while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate independent systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects and predicts potential bird strikes, enabling timely avoidance actions to prevent damage and reduce operational costs by providing accurate strike avoidance reports to the aircraft's management system.
Implementation Method 1
an image capture system configured to be connected to a vehicle, the image capture system being configured to obtain and transmit images
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detection and avoidance may include an image capture system configured to be connected to a vehicle, the image capture system being configured to obtain and transmit images, and a detection system configured to communicate with the vehicle and/or an operator of the vehicle, the detection system being configured to receive the images, process the images to identify an object, determine whether the object will potentially strike the vehicle, generate a strike avoidance report including information indicating that a potential strike will occur and an avoidance command to avoid the potential strike in response to a determination that the potential strike will occur, and send the strike avoidance report to a vehicle management system.