Crash Scene UAV Data Capture for Faster Insurance Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for collecting vehicle crash data often result in inaccurate data due to altered crash sites, delayed insurance claims processing, and inefficiencies in emergency response, particularly as vehicles are moved or rendered unrepairable, leading to increased costs and complexities for insurance providers.
Innovation Solution
Deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with sensors such as cameras, thermal cameras, GPS, and audio sensors to autonomously or semi-autonomously collect and transmit vehicle crash data to remote computing devices for storage and analysis, facilitating accurate reconstruction of crash scenes and streamlined insurance claim processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If emergency response services are provided at the vehicle 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 data collection by deploying a UAV to capture images and data of the crash site immediately upon arrival, before emergency response services alter the scene. This preliminary action preserves the original crash configuration for accurate reconstruction and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV creates a digital copy of the crash site through photogrammetry and imaging, generating a virtual representation that can be used for analysis without requiring physical presence or alteration of the actual crash scene. This copy preserves all spatial and structural information.
2Measurement precision
If the crash scene is recreated after emergency response services, then vehicle crash data can be gathered, but the scene may not be reproducible due to vehicle movement or total loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the crash scene configuration in advance before vehicles are moved or destroyed, storing this data for later use in insurance claim processing. This eliminates the need for time-consuming scene recreation while ensuring data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated feedback to insurance providers by transmitting crash data and images directly to insurance computing devices, enabling immediate claim processing without manual scene recreation or assessment delays.
3Productivity
If manual collection of vehicle crash data is performed after the crash, then insurance claims can be processed, but processing time increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing insurance providers to automatically receive and process crash data through the UAV-collected information. The data is transmitted in a format that can be directly used for claim processing, reducing the need for manual intervention and accelerating productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical data collection methods with automated UAV-based data gathering and transmission. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual measurements and scene recreations, significantly improving processing efficiency and reducing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collecting vehicle crash data at a vehicle crash site of a vehicle crash is provided. The system may include an emergency response unit that includes an emergency response vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is automatically deployed from the emergency response vehicle at the vehicle crash site. The UAV may be an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone, and include a processor, memory, and sensor, wherein the sensor collects vehicle crash data (such as image, video, or audio) at the crash site. The system may include a remote computing device and an insurance computing device to process the vehicle crash data collected by the UAV and/or initiate a crash insurance claim. The vehicle crash data may be used for one or more insurance-related purposes or activities, such as handling, adjusting, or generating auto or homeowners insurance claims; crash reconstruction; fault determination; damaged vehicle repair; and/or buildup identification.