Crash-Site Drone Data Capture Before Scene Alteration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting vehicle crash data are often inaccurate due to altered crash sites, and they delay insurance claims processing, increasing costs for insurance providers.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with sensors such as cameras, GPS, and range sensors to autonomously or semi-autonomously collect vehicle crash data, which is then transmitted to a remote computing device for storage and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If emergency response services are provided at the crash site, then victims are assisted and traffic is managed, but the crash site is altered and accurate crash data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically capturing and storing crash data at the moment of impact using sensors embedded in the vehicle's crash detection system, before emergency responders arrive and alter the scene. This ensures accurate crash data is preserved independently of subsequent emergency operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the crash scene data through automated sensors and imaging systems that capture vehicle positions, impact forces, and scene geometry immediately after the crash, preserving this information without requiring physical preservation of the altered crash site.
2Measurement precision
If the crash site is recreated after emergency services, then crash data can be gathered, but vehicles may have been moved or totaled leading to inaccurate data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically capturing and storing crash data at the moment of impact using sensors embedded in the vehicle's crash detection system, before emergency responders arrive and alter the scene. This ensures accurate crash data is preserved independently of subsequent emergency operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by having the vehicle's own sensors and onboard systems automatically detect, record, and transmit crash data without requiring external investigators to physically recreate or measure the crash scene, eliminating delays associated with manual data collection.
3Loss of information
If manual collection of crash data is performed, then detailed information can be gathered, but it increases processing time and costs for insurance providers
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having the vehicle's own sensors and onboard systems automatically detect, record, and transmit crash data without requiring external investigators to physically recreate or measure the crash scene, eliminating delays associated with manual data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with automated electronic sensors, imaging systems, and digital data transmission, substituting human investigators with automated systems that capture complete crash data instantaneously and transmit it electronically to insurance providers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for collecting drone data at a crash site using an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone may include determining or receiving a crash GPS location associated with a crash location of a crash scene, and may further include generating a pre-generated flight path for an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone based upon the crash GPS location. The autonomous or semi-autonomous drone may be mounted, or held securely in place, on an emergency response vehicle traveling to the crash location. The method may further include autonomously or semi-autonomously flying the autonomous or semi-autonomous drone in accordance with the pre-generated flight path at the crash GPS location to generate or collect drone data associated with the crash scene. The drone data may be used for one or more insurance-related purposes, such as handling, adjusting, or generating auto or homeowners insurance claims; crash reconstruction; fault determination; damaged vehicle repair; and/or buildup identification.