Autonomous Drone Mapping for Hazardous Damage Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Damage analysis in hazardous locations is labor-intensive, costly, and prone to errors, with existing UAV devices being expensive and limited in enclosed and low-visibility areas.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing autonomous vehicles equipped with AI logic modules to capture data, navigate autonomously, and construct 3-D maps of hazardous areas, reducing reliance on GPS and remote-control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional UAV devices are used for hazardous area investigation, then remote investigation capability is provided, but operation in closed spaces and low-visibility conditions is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS-based mechanical navigation with autonomous navigation using visual processing and onboard sensors. The UAV uses computer vision algorithms to interpret visual data from cameras and sensors, enabling autonomous flight and data collection in environments where GPS is unavailable, such as closed spaces and low-visibility conditions.
2Reliability
If commercially available UAV devices are used, then remote investigation is possible, but high cost is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the expensive commercial UAV system into separate functional components: basic flight control, sensor suite, and autonomous navigation software. By implementing autonomous navigation through open-source software and modular sensor integration rather than proprietary integrated systems, the overall cost is reduced while maintaining investigative reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective, off-the-shelf components and open-source software solutions that can be rapidly deployed and replaced if needed, rather than investing in expensive proprietary systems. This approach reduces initial investment and operational costs while maintaining sufficient reliability for hazardous area investigation.
3Measurement precision
If personnel in hazardous material suits are deployed, then direct analysis is possible, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs autonomous data collection, processing, and analysis without requiring human personnel to physically enter hazardous areas. The onboard computer vision algorithms automatically process visual data to identify and assess damage, eliminating the need for hazmat suits and reducing both time consumption and costs associated with personnel deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human personnel with automated UAV-based visual inspection systems. Computer vision algorithms automatically analyze damage characteristics, providing measurement precision comparable to or exceeding human analysis while eliminating the time and cost overhead of deploying trained personnel in hazardous material suits.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatically identifying and ascertaining an estimated amount of damage at a location by utilizing one or more autonomous vehicles, e.g., “drone” devices, to autonomously capture data of the location and utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic modules to analyze the captured data and construct a 3-D model of the location.