Remote UA Control Handover via Pilot Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current regulatory frameworks for unmanned aircraft (UA) require human pilots to maintain visual line of sight, but future regulations may allow autonomous flight, posing challenges in seamlessly transitioning from autonomous to piloted flight during anomalies or adverse conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that manage UA control by receiving indications for transition to piloted flight, selecting suitable pilots based on criteria such as experience, proximity, and network quality, and establishing communication links for effective handover of flight control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous flight is implemented, then productivity and operational efficiency are improved, but the ability to handle anomalies and adverse conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies and pre-selects qualified pilots who meet specific criteria (experience, availability, geographic proximity, network quality) before autonomous flight anomalies occur. When a transition is needed, the system can immediately connect with a pre-vetted pilot, eliminating delays in finding qualified operators during critical situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a ground-based intermediary layer that manages the transition between autonomous and piloted flight. This intermediary system evaluates pilot qualifications, establishes communication links, and coordinates handover procedures, ensuring that autonomous operations can be reliably supplemented by human operators when needed.
2Reliability
If visual line of sight requirement is enforced, then safety control is improved, but operational flexibility and geographic reach deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality requirements to different aspects of pilot selection based on operational context. Geographic proximity is weighted more heavily for certain operations, while network connection quality is prioritized for others. This allows the system to maintain safety standards while adapting to diverse operational scenarios and geographic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional visual line-of-sight requirement to a multi-dimensional pilot selection framework that evaluates experience, availability, geographic proximity, and network quality simultaneously. This allows operators to be selected based on composite qualifications rather than a single geographic constraint, expanding operational flexibility while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If pilot selection criteria are made comprehensive, then flight safety is improved, but system complexity and selection time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Pilot qualifications and criteria are established and verified in advance, creating a pre-approved pool of qualified operators. This preliminary vetting process stores pilot information including experience levels, availability status, and geographic location, so that when a transition is needed, the system only needs to query pre-validated data rather than evaluating pilots from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically evaluates pilot candidates against established criteria and performs the selection process without requiring manual intervention. The automated evaluation of experience, availability, proximity, and network quality reduces complexity by replacing manual assessment procedures with algorithmic decision-making.
4Adaptability or versatility
If transition from autonomous to piloted flight is enabled, then adaptability to adverse conditions is improved, but loss of time during handover worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a ready pool of pre-qualified pilots who have indicated availability for autonomous flight oversight. When a transition is triggered, the system can immediately establish communication with the nearest qualified pilot without delays associated with searching for or vetting operators during the handover process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors pilot availability status and updates the ready pool in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that only currently available pilots are considered for immediate transition, reducing handover time by preventing selection of unavailable operators.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D
Figure 1E
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for providing control of an unmanned aircraft (UA). A server may receive an indication from a UA that a transition from autonomous flight to pilot controlled flight is required while the UA is in autonomous flight. The server may select a pilot station for providing pilot controlled flight of the UA. Selecting a pilot station for providing pilot controlled flight of the UA may be based on a pilot criterion associated with the pilot station. A UA may detect a condition that requires a transition from autonomous flight to pilot controlled flight and establish a pilot criterion for pilot controlled flight based on the detected condition. The UA may send a request for a pilot that includes the pilot criterion and information about the condition.