A team of scientists at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has developed an algorithm that allows multiple flying quadcopter drones to jointly transport heavy loads using ropes. As the researchers explain, this works even in windy conditions. The idea is for drones to transport heavy loads to offshore platforms, for example, according to the scientists’ vision.
“The real challenge lies in coordination,” explains Sihao Sun, a robotics researcher at TU Delft. “When drones are physically connected, they have to react to each other and to external disturbances such as sudden movements of the payload. Conventional control algorithms are simply too slow and too inflexible for this.”
Specifically, the goal is for multiple drones to jointly transport a heavy load attached below th…
A team of scientists at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has developed an algorithm that allows multiple flying quadcopter drones to jointly transport heavy loads using ropes. As the researchers explain, this works even in windy conditions. The idea is for drones to transport heavy loads to offshore platforms, for example, according to the scientists’ vision.
“The real challenge lies in coordination,” explains Sihao Sun, a robotics researcher at TU Delft. “When drones are physically connected, they have to react to each other and to external disturbances such as sudden movements of the payload. Conventional control algorithms are simply too slow and too inflexible for this.”
Specifically, the goal is for multiple drones to jointly transport a heavy load attached below them by ropes, as the scientists describe in the study “Agile and cooperative aerial manipulation of a cable-suspended load,” which was published in Science Robotics. The drones must move autonomously in such a way that the load is moved in the correct direction and at the correct height to avoid crashes. Furthermore, the drones must coordinate themselves independently to catch and compensate for any pendulum movements of the load that may occur.
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The algorithm developed by the researchers at TU Delft adapts to changing payloads. External forces acting on them are compensated for. Sensors on the payload are not needed, the scientists write in the study. The position of the drones and the load is tracked by a system of externally set-up motion capture cameras, and the image data is evaluated by the algorithm. It calculates the necessary control commands for the quadcopter drones in real-time from this data.
Only indoors under laboratory conditions
Up to four drones can be used as load carriers simultaneously. They coordinate themselves autonomously. It is sufficient to enter the destination. The drones handle the rest. This also works in wind, which the researchers simulated in the lab with fans.
However, due to the reliance on external cameras, the system currently only works indoors, and under laboratory conditions, the scientists qualify. They now want to adapt the technology so that it can be used in practice. Then, multiple drones should also be able to transport loads outdoors together that are too heavy for a single drone alone.
The researchers have already identified possible areas of application for their technology. These include, for example, the transport of building materials to remote areas, the transport of harvested crops in mountainous regions, the supply of offshore facilities at sea, and support for rescue missions.
(olb)
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.