Problem Description
Even as the world is getting increasingly globalized, there still exists a major problem in connecting to the most unconnected. When it comes to transporting time-critical packages to rural/suburban areas, ground logistics networks just don’t cut it – they are slow and can become quite expensive. This has led to a rapidly growing market for targeted payload delivery to these areas using unmanned aerial vehicles. While traditional multi-rotor drones are easier to maneuver and are capable of hovering, they are limited by flight time and flight range. Another main issue is that they are completely dependent on GPS for navigation, and therefore fail in GPS denied regions.
Our vision is to develop a faster, cheaper, and more reliable way to deliver time-critical payloads over longer distances using Hybrid VTOLS. This includes developing our very own GPS non-dependent navigation technique to ensure your package reaches you without fail.
Another salient feature of our project is to deliver packages without landing using a robust holding and lowering mechanism. This is particularly important for delivery in inaccessible places with no landing infrastructure, while also significantly reducing time for drop-off.
Use Case
Dave has been bitten by a cottonmouth snake and goes to the local clinic for treatment. Unfortunately, the small hospital does not have any antidotes in stock. It is crucial the right antidote be administered ASAP before Dave’s condition worsens.
The doctor requests a vial of the antidote from a much bigger hospital that has them in stock. The bigger hospital prepares the antidote for shipment but needs to figure out how to transport the antidote quickly.
The antidote is loaded onto our Hybrid VTOL. The drone takes off, carrying the package, and flies to its target location: the small clinic. It maintains its path even when losing GPS, and upon reaching the hospital, it detects the marker on the roof of the parking.
It safely delivers the package to the waiting staff without landing. The doctors quickly administer the antidote, and Dave immediately begins to feel better.
