Rotor-Integrated Camera Layout for Autonomous Aerial Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous aerial vehicles face challenges in efficiently navigating and tracking objects in dynamic environments while optimizing image capture and processing for both navigation and display purposes, often leading to processing overload and reduced robustness in motion planning.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of multiple image capture devices with varying resolutions and adjustable mechanisms, such as hybrid mechanical-digital gimbals, allows for efficient object tracking and navigation by segregating image capture roles and optimizing processing loads, enabling robust motion planning and dynamic response to environmental changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple image capture devices with varying resolutions are used, then image capture quality and processing efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image capture system into multiple devices with different resolutions, where high-resolution devices capture detailed images for display and low-resolution devices capture images for navigation processing. This segmentation allows the system to optimize processing efficiency by assigning different processing requirements to different image sources, reducing the overall processing burden while maintaining image quality where needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If image capture devices are integrated into rotor assemblies, then maneuverability and spatial utilization are improved, but protection against vibration and electromagnetic interference becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates image capture devices within the rotor assemblies by nesting them inside the rotor housing. The rotor housing serves as a protective enclosure that shields the image capture devices from external vibrations and electromagnetic interference generated by the motor. This nested configuration allows the system to maintain maneuverability while providing inherent protection through the structural housing.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution image capture is used for both navigation and display, then image quality is improved, but processing overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different purposes: high-resolution image capture devices are dedicated to display purposes where image quality is critical, while low-resolution image capture devices handle navigation tasks where processing speed is more important. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain high image quality where needed without overloading the processing capacity with unnecessary high-resolution data for all functions.
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
This configuration enhances the autonomy and efficiency of aerial vehicles by improving image capture quality and processing, allowing for effective navigation, object tracking, and real-time image display, while reducing processing overhead and enhancing maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
hybrid mechanical-digital gimbals
Data Source
AI summary
An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.