Drones Equipped With Self-Monitoring "Nervous System" Promise Longer, Safer Flights
Arthur T Knackerbracket has processed the following story:
The Southampton team developed a "nervous system" for drones using optical fibers to continuously monitor strains and stresses, similar to how nerves relay information in the human body. Unlike traditional electrical monitoring, this system uses light signals, which helps avoid the interference issues common in electronic setups.
The monitoring system works through a technique called "optical speckle," where specific images are projected based on detected strains and stresses. AI algorithms then analyze these patterns to assess potential damage, alerting crews when issues arise.
Initial test flights integrating the nervous system on an undergraduate drone project were promising. According to an aerospace student leading the project, the live data showed that fiber optic technology could significantly extend flight duration by reducing the need for manual inspections.
"The drone was first developed to deliver life-saving equipment like defibrillators in emergencies, but it's served as an excellent test platform for the optical fiber nervous system. What really excited us was seeing the live data from the fiber system. It showed that the technology could keep drones operational longer without extensive ground crews," said aerospace engineering graduate Toby King-Cline, who led the student team.
The researchers believe their self-monitoring system holds immense potential across industries. They aim to commercialize the technology as early as 2025.
Drones capable of continuously assessing their own structural integrity could prove invaluable for applications such as cargo transport, emergency response deliveries, and other sectors that would benefit from extended flight times without frequent landing requirements.
Although initial testing was conducted on a small student drone, these smaller drones don't typically need full inspections between flights. The technology would likely be most beneficial for larger cargo drones that endure greater operational stress.
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