Multi-Drone Inspection Path Planning With Collision-Aware Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inspecting industrial structures using drones are inefficient, requiring significant resources and posing safety risks, and lack optimal path planning that considers drone capacity and collision prevention.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for generating movement paths of multiple drones using a metaheuristic technique to optimize vehicle routing, identifying movable and unmovable paths based on industrial structure information, and employing an ant colony system to enhance path planning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a telephoto camera is used to capture images of main areas, then the inspection coverage is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidinspection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection task is segmented into multiple checkpoints distributed across the industrial structure. Instead of capturing the entire structure with a telephoto camera, the system divides the inspection area into discrete segments (checkpoints) that are inspected individually by drones flying to specific locations, thereby maintaining both coverage and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static telephoto camera perspective to a three-dimensional inspection approach where drones fly around the structure. This dimensional change allows the inspection to occur from multiple angles and distances, achieving both comprehensive coverage and high measurement precision at each checkpoint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If a person conducts direct inspection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and resource consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidequipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system performs self-service by using autonomous drones equipped with sensors and navigation capabilities. The drones independently navigate to checkpoints, capture images, and transmit data without requiring human inspectors to physically approach the structure, thereby maintaining precision while reducing equipment complexity and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical system of human inspectors with an automated drone-based inspection system. The drones use electronic sensors, GPS navigation, and automated image capture mechanisms instead of human senses and manual measurement tools, reducing the need for complex support equipment and personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If multiple drones are used for inspection, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of collision and operational complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidpath planning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary path planning before the inspection mission begins. Optimal paths for multiple drones are pre-calculated based on the industrial structure's geometry and inspection requirements. This preliminary action ensures that drones can operate simultaneously without collision risks, maintaining high productivity while managing operational complexity through advance planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The path planning system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor drone positions and adjust paths in real-time. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain optimal productivity by dynamically resolving any potential collision scenarios while managing the complexity of coordinating multiple drones through continuous monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of energy

If optimal path planning considering battery capacity is implemented, then the loss of energy is reduced, but the calculation time and computational complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidpath planning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary path planning that incorporates battery capacity constraints before the inspection mission begins. By pre-calculating optimal paths that minimize energy consumption while considering drone battery limitations, the system reduces actual battery waste during execution without requiring continuous complex calculations, thus balancing energy efficiency with computational time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250348082A1Method and apparatus for generating movement paths of plurality of drones for inspection of industrial structure

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 NEARTHLAB INC

AI summary

According to some aspects of the disclosure, a path generation apparatus for generating a movement path of at least one drone for inspection of an object, the path generation apparatus comprises a problem solving unit configured to output a solution by solving a vehicle routing problem model by using a metaheuristic technique with respect to a graph in which a connection relationship among a plurality of checkpoints included in the object is defined as a target and a path generation unit configured to generate the movement path of the at least one drone based on the outputted solution.