By Charles Carter, 18/9/22
Irish drone delivery startup Manna and British automation startup VIKASO have developed an automated drone battery swapping system to stay airborne for longer.
The innovation is currently being tested alongside Manna’s operations in Ireland where it has completed over 100k flights delivering food, drinks and medical supplies to customers.
How does it work?
The innovators mounted a Universal Robot UR10e on a linear track for swift movement between the drone and battery module storage rack.
They also integrated an AI-based computer vision system so the robot could identify and interact with the battery handle, storage rack and drone battery socket.
The robotic system communicates with the drone infrastructure to align the operation. And a single bot and linear track is able to service two landing pads boosting the efficiency.
The Manna drone is capable of carrying 2kg of goods and lowers the package into a customer’s garden using a biodegradable thread. It is currently limited to 2km delivery radius from their operations base at the Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan.
Tangent box (Manna -> food): Manna is a term from the Bible that describes food that dropped from heaven and prevented Moses and his people from dying of hunger in the desert. (Hmm…OK, but why is this in the middle of the article? Tangential thinking is essential for creativity and innovation, and Superinnovators promote it!)
What are the benefits?
Swapping batteries is much quicker than waiting for charging to complete. This means drones can be kept fetching and delivering goods for longer.
Increasing the utilisation rate of these expensive assets could help keep running costs low, and delivery times rapid.
Questions for you. Comment below
- First thought that comes into your head?
- Pros and cons according to you?
- Other applications of this approach?
- What could this be combined with?