The Drone Company That Uses Algorithms to Solve the Problem of Bombing Drones Has Convinced DJI
Scenario introduction: For the common propulsion system failures of quad-rotor drones, the drone manufacturing company Verity Stdios has launched a low-cost, convenient and easy-to-integrate algorithm that can keep the drone running and avoid crashes when a power failure occurs.
Keywords: UAV, visual enhancement, calibration
Safety issues with drones
It is 2019 now, and everyone should have seen the various functions of drones in aerial photography, agricultural reclamation, and logistics.
However, if there are operational errors or technical failures, "plane explosions" often occur, which will not only cause considerable property losses but also endanger personal safety.
An Australian academic team reviewed 152 drone accident reports between 2010 and 2015 and found that the accidents in the sample were more likely to be attributed to technical problems than to human factors.
In previous cases, most technical failures were caused by the propulsion system, such as the loss of motor controllers, electric motors or propellers. Many large companies including DJI and Amazon have tried to solve this problem, but have not yet succeeded.
Included items: battery/propulsion system, flight control, communication failure, human factors, other
Verity Studios AG recently launched a new technology that successfully solves the risks posed by propulsion devices. For the more common quadcopters, their algorithm can achieve safe landing after accidentally losing one or two propellers.
New algorithms and new opportunities
Verity Studios AG is a Swiss drone manufacturer founded in 2014 with extensive experience in drone performances.
The company's founder, Raffaello D'Andrea, wowed the audience with his presentation at TED
Their drone performances have frequently appeared in various performances and have been favored by some well-known organizations, such as Cirque du Soleil and Madison Square Garden. Even in the 2019 Spring Festival Gala, the shadow of Verity drones was seen.
It is roughly estimated that Verity has safely completed more than 100,000 autonomous flight demonstrations in more than 20 countries and regions around the world without any accidents.
In January this year, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed to remove restrictions on drone flights over crowds and at night, which further confirmed that drones will be used in more scenarios and better serve humans in many aspects.
However, to realize this vision, current drone technology still faces many challenges. Many companies are looking for solutions and opportunities, but for the general public, the most concerning aspect is safety.
Whether it is safe and autonomous implementation or application in large-scale scenarios, technological innovation is urgently needed to ensure the safety of drone flights.
Verity's new algorithm is the inevitable product of this opportunity. Verity's algorithm for protecting drones is called Failsafe, which was developed by Raffaello D'Andrea, an expert in robotics and artificial intelligence.
When a drone's propulsion system fails, thanks to this algorithm, the drone will not fall to the ground as usual, but will be able to stay in the air and gradually stabilize, and finally land in the correct location thanks to navigation.
They have proven the reliability of the technology in more than 7,000 flights and will use it in more application scenarios in the future.
The innovative significance brought by new technologies
Verity's algorithm can be applied to existing devices through a simple firmware update, and because it is code-based, it does not require additional hardware, thus saving the cost of modification or upgrade. This simple method has a very good effect and is currently the most favorable risk control method.
Raffaello D’Andrea, CEO and founder of Verity Studios (and co-founder of Amazon Robotics), said, “With more drones taking to our skies every day, we have a responsibility to extend the safety measures we have developed to the entire industry.”
Additionally, Verity offers custom integrations, making the technology available to all drone manufacturers.
Colin Guinn, founder of Guinn Partners and former CEO of DJI North America, said, "I have seen many accidents with drones from major brands due to propulsion system failures. I didn't know that this problem could be solved with a simple firmware upgrade! Verity's fail-safe algorithm is amazing, and manufacturers should seize this opportunity!"
Verity technology provides the most effective solution for safe and reliable flight without affecting flight and payload. It can be foreseen that this will be the driving force for realizing autonomous drone inspection, drone delivery, and air transportation, and perhaps it will be a key step in the development of the drone industry.