Autonomous Drone Supply Delivery via Visual Target Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
During emergency events, residents in affected areas often face difficulties in obtaining basic supplies due to poor road conditions and lack of communication services, leading to delays in aid delivery and communication with emergency providers.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing aerial drones equipped with imaging devices to detect physical codes on targets displayed by residents, enabling targeted delivery of supplies without the need for human intervention or long-range communication, using GPS navigation and on-board computing systems to dispense items at or near the target location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If aerial drones are used to deliver supplies, then delivery speed and accessibility are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated drone operations that independently navigate, identify targets via imaging devices detecting physical codes, and dispense supplies without human intervention. The drone autonomously completes the entire delivery process from departure to supply distribution, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing system operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical ground-based supply delivery systems with aerial drone delivery. This substitution allows supplies to be delivered to areas inaccessible by ground vehicles, dramatically reducing delivery time and improving accessibility to remote or disaster-affected locations.
2Reliability
If physical codes are used for target identification, then detection reliability is improved, but communication infrastructure requirements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses physical codes (such as QR codes or barcodes) as visual copies of identification information that can be detected by drone-mounted imaging devices. These codes serve as reliable, static identifiers that do not require communication networks, allowing the drone to accurately identify and locate supply recipients even in areas with no cellular or internet service.
3Extent of automation
If automated drone delivery is implemented, then human intervention is eliminated, but system automation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drone system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: navigation using GPS coordinates, target acquisition through imaging devices, code recognition and interpretation, supply dispensing mechanisms, and autonomous control. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into one integrated automated unit, managing complexity while maximizing automation benefits.
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
Facilitates efficient and timely delivery of supplies to residents in emergency situations, even in areas with poor communication and road conditions, by allowing drones to identify and deliver items based on unique codes, ensuring personalized and automated distribution.
Implementation Method 1
instruct an imaging device carried by the aerial vehicle to capture image data as the aerial vehicle travels through the geographical area
Data Source
AI summary
A supply delivery system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to instruct an aerial vehicle to travel within a geographical area, instruct an imaging device carried by the aerial vehicle to capture image data as the aerial vehicle travels through the geographical area, analyze the image data to identify an identification code on a physical target, instruct the aerial vehicle to dispense one or more items from the aerial vehicle at or near the physical target.