The news of Amazon testing its drone delivery system has been doing round on the internet for quite some time. The day is not far when we will find a drone hovering in front of our door, ready to deliver the package you ordered a few hours ago.
Of late, I stumbled upon a patent application by Amazon along the same line. The patent application discloses Amazon engineer’s resourcefulness and creative side to solve payload problem. The way they are using already existing solution to solve an already existing problem is amazing.
At present, a payload problem is one of the major problems of drones. They can fly with a payload of 10lbs and can remain airborne for less than an hour. If you want a drone to be airborne for a longer distance/duration whilst carrying a heavier payload, you have to increase its size. Also, you will require a better power generation module.
Amazon, however, rather than using one large drone to carry a heavier item, is coupling more than one drone together. Isn’t this amazing? Rather than spending money on a completely new research, you spend money on improving what is already there.
But how this will be beneficial to me? Amazon is saving money not me! Is this what you are thinking? Well, if Amazon spends less money on inventing something, you will get that service at lower prices than if large money was spent on inventing it.
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How Amazon’s Drone Coupling solves payload problem?
When there will be a heavier shipment to deliver, a collective drone configuration like in the image below will be made, reveals the patent application.
To maintain the stability, the speed of each drone in a coupled configuration will be calibrated. Also, the configuration will change its size depending upon no. of drones in a configuration. Weather, the number of shipments, etc. are going to be another factor dictating the shape of a configuration.
This coupling of drones, no doubt, will increase the weight carrying capacity. What I’m looking forward to is when I’ll see such a configuration in action. We really are living in the time of transition!
Besides, Qualcomm has also solved a problem in drone’s landing.