UAV Backup Navigation Using Visual Feature Relocalization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face navigation failures due to primary navigation system malfunctions or spoofing, leading to potential crashes or loss of control, as current backup navigation systems rely on relative position estimates or complex algorithms that are insufficient for real-time autonomous navigation.
Innovation Solution
A backup navigation system that generates and updates a map of the UAV's flight path using environmental imagery, allowing it to transition from feature localization mode to UAV localization mode to safely navigate back to a safe landing zone by identifying visual features and determining its current location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup navigation system is implemented to replace primary navigation functionality upon failure, then the reliability of the UAV navigation system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for dual navigation systems and mode switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The backup navigation system performs preliminary actions by capturing images and localizing visual features along the flight path before failure occurs. The system builds a map of the environment and stores location information in advance, so that when the primary navigation system fails, the UAV can immediately use the pre-captured data for localization without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup navigation system creates a copy of the flight path information by capturing images and localizing visual features to generate a map of the environment. This map serves as a replicated representation of the flight path that can be used independently of the primary navigation system, allowing the UAV to reconstruct its position even when the primary system fails.
2Measurement precision
If the backup navigation system captures and processes images in real-time to localize visual features, then the measurement precision of UAV position is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous image capture and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The backup navigation system applies partial action by selectively capturing images at specific intervals or trigger points along the flight path rather than continuously. The system localizes visual features in a subset of captured images to build the flight path map, reducing the total number of images processed while maintaining sufficient position precision for safe navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method that involves operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to begin a flight, where the UAV relies on a navigation system to navigate to a destination. During the flight, the method involves operating a camera to capture images of the UAV's environment, and analyzing the images to detect features in the environment. The method also involves establishing a correlation between features detected in different images, and using location information from the navigation system to localize a feature detected in different images. Further, the method involves generating a flight log that includes the localized feature. Also, the method involves detecting a failure involving the navigation system, and responsively operating the camera to capture a post-failure image. The method also involves identifying one or more features in the post-failure image, and determining a location of the UAV based on a relationship between an identified feature and a localized feature.