Autonomous Skydiving Robot Control With Off-the-Shelf Parachutes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in developing cost-effective and efficient Skydiving Robots that can autonomously operate off-the-shelf parachutes, steer towards targets, and differentiate between friend and foe, while also being able to carry and deliver payloads in various weather conditions and environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of humanoid Skydiving Robots equipped with low-cost GPS systems, sensors, and vision capabilities to control parachutes and weapons, combined with solar power units for extended mission duration, allowing them to freefall, steer, and land precisely, and to identify friend or foe, enabling autonomous and cost-effective scout missions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Skydiving Robots use off-the-shelf parachutes to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but control precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously deploys and controls the parachute without human intervention, using onboard sensors and processors to manage deployment timing, steering, and landing. This self-service capability allows the use of simpler, off-the-shelf parachutes while maintaining precise control through intelligent automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electronic and software-based control. GPS guidance, onboard processors, and electronic actuators substitute for traditional mechanical steering mechanisms, enabling precise control of off-the-shelf parachutes through software algorithms rather than complex mechanical linkages.
2Productivity
If Skydiving Robots freefall from high altitude to reduce mission time, then speed increases, but safety and control difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The robot uses onboard sensors including GPS, accelerometers, and altimeters to continuously monitor its position, speed, and orientation during freefall. This real-time feedback enables the control system to make adjustments to parachute deployment timing and steering, ensuring safe operation even during high-speed freefall from high altitudes.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs preliminary calculations and preparations for parachute deployment before freefall begins. The system pre-calculates optimal deployment altitude and timing based on exit conditions, and pre-configures control parameters to ensure safe deceleration and steering once the parachute deploys, reducing risks associated with high-speed freefall.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Skydiving Robots carry advanced sensors and weapons systems to improve mission capability, then functionality increases, but weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed with multi-functional sensors and systems that serve multiple purposes. For example, cameras are used for both navigation and target identification, GPS provides both positioning and velocity information, and the same propulsion system handles both ascent and maneuvering. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, lowering overall weight.
4Manufacturing precision
If Skydiving Robots use GPS guidance for precise landing to improve accuracy, then landing precision increases, but vulnerability to GPS denial and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual markers as an intermediary reference system that works in conjunction with GPS. These markers, placed at the target location, provide an additional reference for navigation and landing that does not depend on GPS signals. The robot uses computer vision to detect and track these markers, providing a backup and enhancement to GPS-based navigation, reducing vulnerability to GPS denial while maintaining precision.
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
The Skydiving Robots can efficiently scout ahead of human skydivers, deliver payloads, and land accurately within a few feet of the target, even in GPS-denied environments, enhancing mission safety and effectiveness by leveraging advanced sensors and power systems for extended operation.
Implementation Method 1
The robot could include a solar power unit to power the robot during extended missions
Implementation Method 2
use off-the-shelf or customized parachutes and deliver military or civilian payloads... open the parachute and steer toward the target
Data Source
AI summary
Device, system, and method for Skydiving Robots™ which can skydive using customized or off-the-shelf parachutes and deliver civilian or military payloads. The Skydiving Robots can freefall, open the parachutes and steer toward the target, carry payloads, operate in the daytime or the pitch black at night using GPS guidance to land precisely. If they exited the plane at up to or over 30,000 feet above ground level (AGL) the final target could be miles away. They are the ideal reconnaissance scouts with a wide array of sensors such as cameras. They can carry payloads and precisely land within a few feet of a target.