TECH

Californian startup creates drone that transports packages of virtually any shape

Most drone delivery systems are designed for well-defined packaging dimensions or use their own containers. The Design Rapid Delivery System 2, created by Californian startup A2Z Drone Delivery, is capable of transporting packages of virtually any shape weighing up to 10 kg.

The previous model RDS1 is quite simple and consists of a motorized winch with a Kevlar cable, which is installed under the underside of the remote controlled multicopter. At the end of the cord there is an elastic fabric bag, designed for a load of up to 2 kg.

When the drone arrives at its destination, it will hover at a height of up to 46 m and unroll the drum. The cable with the bag flies down until the lidar sensor notifies the system that it is already close to the ground. Then the winch will fix the cable and the user can start loading. This system not only protects customers from noise and the danger of collision with low-flying drones, it also saves time and energy - the device does not need to maneuver between tree branches and power lines.

The same principle is used in the RDS2, but instead of a bag, a carabiner, to which you can attach a bag, a bucket or a special fastener made of reinforced slings, which can be used to tie a box with a package, writes New Atlas. The stand can support a weight of up to 45 kg, but the permissible load capacity of the system is not more than 10 kg. During the entire flight, the carabiner is tightly closed to prevent the load from dropping, but when the package falls to the ground, it automatically disconnects.

As in the case of the RDS1, the second version of the system can be installed on third-party cargo helicopters, for example, on the DJI Matrice 600. For those who want to immediately buy a complete kit, there is an in-house development by the startup - the new RDST drone. . It is capable of flying autonomously or remotely controlled at a distance of up to 30 km. The lithium battery charge lasts for 36 minutes of flight time. The maximum load capacity of the RDST octocopter is 5 kg.

Most drones need to constantly swing to fly and adjust their movement in gusts of wind. However, the Astria model, created by engineers at Pitch Aeronautics, is capable of unnaturally maintaining a stable position due to the non-standard use of vane propellers.

Source: A2Z Drone Delivery