Tethered Drone System for Autonomous Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone delivery systems require significant human intervention for picking up and delivering articles, which can be inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A drone tethering system where a working drone is coupled to a support drone via insulated cables, controlled via a wireless communication system, allowing for autonomous picking up and delivery of articles without human intervention, utilizing Bluetooth communication and radar subsystems for navigation and object sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drone delivery system is implemented, then article delivery capability is improved, but human intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The working drone autonomously performs pickup and delivery operations without human intervention. The system enables self-service by allowing the drone to independently navigate, transport articles, and return to the facility, eliminating the need for continuous human control while maintaining delivery capability.
2Extent of automation
If a tethered drone system is used, then autonomous operation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether acts as an intermediary element connecting the working drone to the facility. It provides physical guidance and electrical power transmission, enabling autonomous operation while simplifying the control architecture. The tether mediates between the drone's autonomous navigation needs and the facility's power and control requirements.
3Measurement precision
If wireless communication and radar subsystems are added, then navigation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system and radar subsystem serve multiple functions: navigation, obstacle detection, positioning, and communication with the facility. By making these subsystems multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby improving navigation precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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
Enables efficient and autonomous article delivery and pickup, reducing the need for human intervention and enhancing operational efficiency by using a tethered drone system with wireless communication and radar navigation.
Implementation Method 1
radar subsystems for navigation and object sensing
Implementation Method 2
utilizing Bluetooth communication and radar subsystems for navigation and object sensing
Data Source
AI summary
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which comprises causing an article to be picked up and delivered via a working drone substantially without human intervention. The working drone is coupled to a support drone via a tether. The working drone is controlled via a wireless communication system that transmits signals from the support drone to the working drone. The wireless communication system constructed to communicate with a box that receives deliveries via the drone.