UAV Gesture Recognition for Safe Package Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current delivery systems lack efficient methods for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to recognize and respond to human interactions, particularly for navigation and safety purposes, leading to potential collisions or delivery challenges.

Innovation Solution

UAVs are equipped with sensors to recognize human gestures, including visual and audible cues, which are processed by an onboard management system to adjust flight paths and delivery actions, enabling safe navigation and package delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional delivery systems are used, then delivery can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual delivery operations with an autonomous aerial vehicle that uses optical sensors and image processing algorithms to navigate, identify recipients, and deliver packages. The system substitutes human labor and traditional ground-based mechanical delivery with automated aerial navigation and robotic delivery mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If UAVs operate autonomously without human interaction recognition, then navigation is simpler, but safety is compromised in crowded areas

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between the UAV and humans, where the vehicle detects gestures through optical sensors and translates them into navigation commands. This intermediary layer enables safe interaction in crowded areas without requiring direct human control or complex autonomous decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where the UAV continuously monitors its environment using sensors, detects human gestures, processes the information through image recognition algorithms, and adjusts its flight path accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enhances safety by enabling real-time response to human presence and gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are added to recognize gestures, then interaction capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture recognition capabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multi-functional sensor systems where optical sensors serve multiple purposes: navigation, obstacle detection, and gesture recognition. The same imaging devices used for general environmental awareness are also utilized for detecting specific human gestures, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10809712B1Human interaction with unmanned aerial vehicles

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive sensor information associated with visible human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to perform an action associated with an identified visible human gesture.