![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The method of claim 14, wherein determining the variable deployment-rate profile comprises determining the variable deployment-rate profile based on one or more of (a) a height of the UAV, (b) wind data, (c) environmental data, and/or (d) payload characteristics.ġ8. The method of claim 15, wherein each deployment rate corresponds to an amount of friction to be applied to the line by the line-deployment mechanism.ġ7. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the variable deployment-rate profile comprises determining two or more deployment rates and a corresponding line length for each deployment rate, wherein each friction level indicates how much friction should be applied to the line when the line has been deployed to the corresponding line length.ġ6. A method comprising: determining, by a computing system, a variable deployment-rate profile for deployment of a payload from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), wherein a line couples the payload to the UAV the computing system causing a line-deployment mechanism to operate according to the determined variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload towards the ground, wherein the variable deployment-rate profile is such that the deployment rate of the line varies while the payload is being lowered to the ground detecting, by the computing system, at least one release indication that indicates that the payload is at or near to the ground and in response to detecting the at least one release indication, the computing system causing the payload to be released from the line.ġ5. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the line-deployment mechanism comprises one or more friction pads.ġ4. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the line-deployment mechanism comprises a motorized braking system.ġ3. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the payload includes or takes the form of a medical-support item.ġ2. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the control system is at least partially disposed within the payload.ġ1. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the control system is disposed within the housing.ġ0. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the payload comprises at least one proximity sensor arranged on the payload so as to provide data that is indicative of a distance between the payload and the ground, and wherein the control system is configured to: determine that the payload is touching the ground based at least in part on the data provided by the at least one proximity sensor.ĩ. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the UAV further comprises a line-tension sensor, and wherein the control system is configured to: determine a measure of tension on the line based on data from the line-tension sensor and determine that the payload is touching the ground based at least in part on determination that the measure of tension on the line is less than a threshold.Ĩ. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the determined variable deployment-rate profile indicates a one or more distances and a deployment rate corresponding to each indicated distance.ħ. The UAV of claim 4, wherein the determined variable deployment-rate profile indicates a gradual increase in deployment rate such that the implementation of the determined variable deployment-rate profile causes the payload to start a descent at a higher speed, and to gradually decrease in speed during the descent.Ħ. The UAV of claim 1, wherein, before lowering the payload, the control system is configured to determine the variable deployment-rate profile based on one or more of (a) height, (b) wind, (c) environmental factors, and/or (d) payload characteristics.ĥ. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to determine a variable deployment-rate profile before operating the line-deployment mechanism to lower the payload to the ground.Ĥ. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the line-deployment mechanism is operable to secure the line during a flight to a delivery location, such that the payload is held at or near the housing during the flight.ģ. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: a housing a payload a line-deployment mechanism coupled to the housing and a line, wherein the line-deployment mechanism is controllable to vary a deployment rate of the line a payload-release mechanism that couples the line to the payload, wherein the payload-release mechanism is configured to release the payload from the line and a control system configured to determine that the UAV is located at or near a delivery location and responsively: operate the line-deployment mechanism according to a variable deployment-rate profile to lower the payload to or near to the ground, wherein the variable deployment-rate profile is such that the rate at which the line is deployed varies while the payload is being lowered to the ground determine that the payload is touching or is within a threshold distance from the ground and responsively operate the payload-release mechanism to release the payload from the line.Ģ. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |