Innovative drone for parcel deliveries
As its creators claim, it will never problems with traffic, unlike a normal courier. With its programming, it will avoid obstacles and can reach destinations on uneven terrain. Meanwhile, its protective cage and ability to fold means easier mobility than a typical bicycle or motorcycle.
This “drone deliveries” project, designed at EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, recieved funding by NCCR Robotics. They turned the drone into a mail package that wraps around the cargo before take-off. The retractable carbon fiber cage protects the craft and cargo in the event of a collision or crash. It also prevents the propellers from hurting you as you would only be grabbing it while in flight, meaning that they are located inside the structure and have blades.
The design is a special “origami” type, meaning you can fold and unfold it in one motion. It’s flat in seconds and takes just 92% of the space, so it can easily fit even inside your backpack.
As for its flight capabilities, it is a four-propeller multicopter that can take off and land vertically, which increases its level of precision. It can also carry packages weighing up to 500 grams at a distance of 2 km. The delivery is completed safely and efficiently, thanks to a specially designed autonomous flight system that eliminates any collisions with trees and buildings. Users can see the package’s route in real time on a tablet or phone, and once it is delivered, the drone returns to its original location
The drone comes with a safety system to protect it from attackers trying to hack it during the deliveries.
As Przemyslav Kornatowski, the developer of this drone, notes, it’s now time to focus on increasing its cargo carrying capacity and enhancing its autonomy. It will also have a parachute for increased safety in any case of damage.
You can read another article about deliveries here.
Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
