UAV Payload Lowering for Obstacle-Safe Surface Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous aerial vehicles face challenges in safely delivering payloads to uncontrolled landing sites due to risks of collision with obstacles and difficulties in identifying suitable delivery surfaces, particularly in residential settings where physical attributes and environmental conditions vary.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a retractable delivery mechanism on UAVs to pick up and secure payloads, generate control commands for flight, obtain sensor data to identify suitable delivery surfaces, and lower the payload using a propulsion system, considering material, size, slope, distance, and environmental conditions, with sensors and rule data for precise surface selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the UAV lands directly at the designated location, then delivery speed is improved, but the risk of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery process is segmented into two independent phases: (1) The UAV flies to and hovers above the designated delivery location, (2) The payload is separately lowered via a retractable delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows the UAV to maintain a safe distance from obstacles while the payload is delivered, reducing collision risk without sacrificing delivery speed.
Solution Approach 2:
A retractable delivery mechanism acts as an intermediary between the UAV and the payload. This mechanism includes a payload holder that can be extended and retracted, allowing the payload to be lowered to the delivery surface while the UAV remains positioned safely above. The intermediary mechanism decouples the UAV's position from the payload's delivery position, enabling safe delivery over obstacles.
2Reliability
If the UAV hovers above the delivery location to lower the payload, then collision risk is reduced, but delivery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable delivery mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the payload holder to be rapidly extended and retracted. The mechanism can be quickly deployed to lower the payload and then retracted to return the UAV to its safe hovering position. This dynamic operation minimizes the time the system spends in a vulnerable state while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV performs preliminary actions by positioning itself above the delivery location and extending the delivery mechanism before actual payload release. This preliminary positioning allows the payload to be lowered directly to the target surface without requiring the UAV to descend or maneuver close to obstacles during the critical delivery moment, thereby reducing overall delivery time while maintaining safety.
3Measurement precision
If the UAV uses sensors to identify delivery surfaces, then delivery precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV employs a multi-functional sensor system that serves multiple purposes: (1) Identifying and characterizing the delivery surface (material, slope, size), (2) Detecting obstacles in the flight path, (3) Navigating to the designated location, and (4) Monitoring payload position during delivery. By using a universal sensor platform for multiple functions, the system achieves high delivery precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system automatically characterizes the delivery surface and adjusts delivery parameters without requiring external intervention. The UAV's onboard processors analyze sensor data in real-time to determine surface properties (material type, slope angle, available area) and autonomously select appropriate delivery settings. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual surface assessment or complex external coordination systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein are methods and systems that relate to delivery of a payload to a particular delivery surface. A payload is collected at a first physical location using a retractable delivery mechanism of a UAV, and the UAV flies to a designated second physical location, whereupon sensor data is obtained using one or more sensors of the UAV. The sensor data is used to obtain characteristics of an area which may be used as a delivery surface at the second physical location. An actual delivery surface is selected based on criteria in the form of rule data specifying an appropriate delivery surface and the sensor data. Once the delivery surface has been selected the retractable delivery lowers the payload towards the selected delivery surface.