Self-Powered Aerial DElivery Stabilizer (SPADES)
- Cory Childs - Finance Manager and Mechanical Specialist
- Aubrey Kroger – Documents Manager
- Alexander McLaren – RF Specialist
- Drew Spitzer – Team Lead and Communications Manager
- Jeremy Webb – PCB Best Practices Consultant
- Sam Zimmer – Embedded Systems Specialist
Project Sponsor:Vita Inclinata Technologies
The Self-Powered Aerial Delivery Stabilizer (SPADES) assists with efficient and safe delivery of packages. In recent years, the demand for efficient drone delivery of packages has spiked. Due to restrictions in many populated areas, drones are unable to land in desired delivery zones. To work around these restrictions, companies – such as Amazon - are developing ways for drones to lower packages to delivery locations, usually in residential areas. But, as packages are lowered, the lowering systems become unstable due to environmental or weather conditions. The instability makes delivery of packages inaccurate and unsafe for people nearby. All of these problems consequently make the use of drones for the delivery of packages in residential areas impractical.
Vita Inclinata Technologies developed a Load Stabilization System (LSS) for U.S. Military helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. SAR missions face problems that are similar to the drone delivery setbacks, such as instability, inaccuracy, and lack of safety during flight. The LSS autonomously controls suspended load motion to make SAR missions stable, accurate, and safe. Out of Control Systems with the help of Vita Inclinata Technologies is applying this idea of autonomous control of load motion to the budding field of drone delivery in the DDSS. The autonomous control of load motion has never been applied to drone delivery. The DDSS makes drone delivery of packages in residential areas safe, cheap, and efficient. Companies – such as Amazon – will greatly benefit from the control capabilities of the DDSS. Using Vita’s proprietary control system algorithm and fans that provide thrust to counteract instability, the platform agnostic DDSS ensures the safety of the package as it is lowered accurately and efficiently to a safe and satisfied customer. The DDSS self-monitors to ensure that it never runs out of charge during delivery, contains remote communication capabilities with a range of 400 feet, and autonomously control which increases accuracy of delivery and consequently lowers flight time of the drone and therefore cost.