Tethered UAV Autoloader Pickup for Human-Free Payload Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UAV systems face delays and inefficiencies in payload retrieval due to the need for human intervention, leading to undesirable waiting times and energy expenditure when the designated person is late or absent.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tethered pickup component on the UAV, which autonomously navigates to an autoloader device, deploys and engages with it to retrieve a payload without human assistance, using descent and side-step trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a person manually secures the payload to the UAV, then the payload can be retrieved, but waiting time and energy expenditure increase when the person is late or absent
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV performs payload retrieval autonomously without human assistance. The system uses onboard sensors to detect the payload, automatically navigates to it, and executes the pickup maneuver using its tethered pickup component, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on human operators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of securing a payload with an automated system combining sensors, control algorithms, and mechanical actuators. The UAV's control system processes sensor data and automatically commands the tether deployment and retrieval mechanisms to perform the pickup
2Reliability
If the UAV waits in hover mode for the designated person, then the payload can be secured, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV autonomously performs the entire payload retrieval process without requiring a human operator to arrive. The system detects the payload using onboard sensors, calculates the optimal approach trajectory, and executes the pickup automatically, eliminating the need to wait in hover mode and thereby conserving energy
3Speed
If the UAV arrives early at the retrieval site, then delivery can proceed, but the designated person may not be available to secure the payload
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV independently performs payload detection and retrieval without human intervention. The autonomous system uses sensors to locate the payload and automatically executes the pickup maneuver, making the operation easy and reliable regardless of when the UAV arrives at the retrieval site
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a position of an autoloader device for the UAV; based on the determined position of the autoloader device, causing the UAV to follow a descent trajectory in which the UAV moves from a starting position to a first nudged position in order to deploy a tethered pickup component of the UAV to a payout position on an approach side of the autoloader device; deploying the tethered pickup component of the UAV to the payout position; causing the UAV to follow a side-step trajectory in which the UAV moves laterally to a second nudged position in order to cause the tethered pickup component of the UAV to engage the autoloader device; and retracting the tethered pickup component of the UAV to pick up a payload from the autoloader device.