MATT BURGESS
JUNE 30, 2014
GreenCopter
There are many hurdles manufacturers of drones face before they will be able to deliver packages using UAVS, but the solution to one problem may be just around the corner.
In fact, the solution could involve more corners as they attempt to stop drones from bumping into objects when flying autonomously.
One inventor is trying to achieve this by building a smart drone that can sense objects around it and avoid crashing into them. The drone will have a series of sensors attached to it as well as having a wind turbine built in.
A flight controller system is being developed to stabilise the drone in high wind situations to ensure it can fly without crashing.
The founders say: “The flight controller is the brain of GreenCopter that will determine copter’s behavior in terms of thrust, lift, agility, and system failure situations.
“The system will feature protection scheme in case one of the motors fail during the flight where GreenCopter will initiate return to launch coordinate and land safely.”
The manufacturers say the drone will use wind and solar power to reduce the need to be charged from traditional power sources. It will also have the ability to conduct autonomous flights and also avoid collisions at the same time.
The drone will be able to land itself automatically and charge itself when it runs low on power or loses communications with the operator.
It is set to feature eight infrared and ultransonic sensors that will help the drone to avoid objects in its flight path. The sensors are set to be mounted at each side of the drone and be able to detect objects at a maximum distance of almost 200 inches.
The drone can carry up to 88lbs when it is flying.
The biggest challenge for the project at present is the ability to mount the wind turbine on the drone and ensure its balance during flight.
Potentially the solution to the problem is an algorithm in the flight controller and sensor system.
Writing on their crowdfunding page, the founders of the project say: “The campaign is aimed to set new grounds to a new breed of UAVs through an R&D process that leads to many classes of UAVs.
“The new classes will hold a key essence to any individual and that is simplifying tasks carried out each day.”
Images courtesy of Green Copter
Read more at:
http://factor-tech.com/drones/5315-clearing-the-way-autonomous-drones-built-with-sensors-to-avoid-objects/
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