UAV Control Station With VR Relay and Obstacle Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human operators face challenges in controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) due to the difficulty in observing distant vehicles, requiring extensive training that can be resource-intensive and risky, especially when actual UAVs are used for training, which can lead to damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A ground control station system equipped with an advanced stand-alone virtual reality headset for remote operation of UAVs, incorporating primary and secondary receivers, a relay platform, and computer vision algorithms for obstacle detection, along with haptic controls and a fleet tracking architecture, enabling remote control and training of UAVs over long distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actual UAVs are used for pilot training, then training realism and effectiveness are improved, but risk of damage to UAV and property increases, and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the UAV and its flight environment through a flight simulator. This virtual replica allows pilots to practice operations and emergency procedures in a realistic setting without risking damage to actual UAVs or property. The simulator reproduces flight dynamics, controls, and scenarios sufficiently to provide effective training while eliminating physical risks.
2Reliability
If actual UAVs are used for pilot training, then training realism is improved, but resource consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flight simulator creates a virtual environment that replicates UAV flight characteristics without consuming the resources required for actual flight operations. Multiple pilots can train simultaneously on the same system, and training can be repeated indefinitely without additional fuel, maintenance, or operational costs associated with physical UAVs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight simulator serves multiple training functions and can accommodate different training scenarios, aircraft types, and skill levels using a single system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to deploy multiple actual UAVs for different training purposes, significantly reducing resource consumption while maintaining comprehensive training capabilities.
3Length of moving object
If UAVs operate beyond visual line of sight, then operational range and mission capability are improved, but operator control and situational awareness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an automated assistant as an intermediary between the operator and the remotely operated UAV. This assistant autonomously processes sensor data, identifies objects and obstacles, and provides recommendations or executes actions without direct operator input. This mediator bridges the information gap created by beyond visual line of sight operation, maintaining effective control despite distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV system performs self-monitoring and self-assessment of its environment through onboard sensors and automated recognition systems. The system independently detects obstacles, evaluates situational context, and prepares action recommendations, reducing the cognitive load on the operator and maintaining ease of operation even when the UAV is beyond visual range.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for remote control of a mobile device is provided herein. The system includes a primary receiver for providing primary command and control of the mobile device; a secondary receiver for providing secondary command and control of the mobile device; the mobile device configured to respond to command and control signals sent by any of the primary receiver and the secondary receiver; and a relay platform for relaying the command and control signals throughout the system. The primary receiver may include an extended reality component.