Drone Control Transfer for Precise Urban Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in delivering items using drones is exacerbated by location access issues, especially in urban environments where precise delivery to multi-story buildings is difficult due to elevation differences and the need for precise control, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transferring control of a drone from a first device to a second device, allowing the drone to be launched and controlled by a user device, enabling navigation to a specific destination, with the in-vehicle computing device initially controlling the drone and transferring control to a user or driver device for precise delivery, and subsequently back to the in-vehicle device for safe return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the drone is controlled by the primary operator from a distance, then the drone can be launched and transported to a vicinity of the delivery location, but the primary operator cannot precisely navigate the drone to the specific delivery destination due to unfamiliarity with the area and elevation differences
Solution Approach 1:
The control process is divided into two segments: the primary operator controls the drone during launch and initial flight to the vicinity of the delivery location, then control is transferred to the local user who provides precise navigation to the final destination. This segmentation allows each operator to perform the portion of control they are best suited for.
Solution Approach 2:
A control transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the primary operator's device and the local user's device. The system establishes communication channels that allow control data to be transmitted from the primary operator's device to the local user's device, enabling seamless control transfer without requiring the primary operator to directly control the drone throughout the entire flight.
2Manufacturing precision
If the primary operator attempts to control the drone to multi-story building destinations, then delivery can be attempted, but elevation differences and location access issues make proper control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts control based on the flight phase and environmental conditions. During initial flight, the primary operator's device controls the drone. When the drone approaches the delivery location and control transfer is initiated, the system transitions to local user control for the final precise positioning, especially for multi-story building destinations where the local user has better spatial awareness.
3Measurement precision
If control is transferred to the local user device, then precise navigation to the destination is achieved, but control must be transferred back to ensure safe return of the drone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing communication channels and control protocols before the actual control transfer. The primary operator's device and the local user's device are pre-configured to work together, with the control transfer mechanism ready to facilitate both the forward transfer (to local user for precise navigation) and the return transfer (for safe drone recovery).
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for transferring control of drones from one computing device to another during flight are disclosed. An example method may include accepting, by a drone control module of a computing device, a destination associated with a user. The method may further include establishing, by the drone control module, a channel of communication with a user device of the user. Thereafter, the drone control module may launch the drone from a first location. The method may further include transmitting, by the drone control module, control data for the drone to the user device via the channel of communication. The method may continue with transferring, by the drone control module, an operational control of the drone to the user device.