Innovative Drone Successfully Lands on Moving Vehicle at 110 km/h
Researchers at the University of Sherbrooke in Canada have achieved a significant breakthrough in drone technology with the development of the DART (Direct Approach Rapid Touchdown) drone. This experimental quadcopter has demonstrated the ability to land safely on vehicles traveling at high speeds, marking a substantial advancement in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing systems.
The DART drone is equipped with a specially engineered landing gear and an advanced landing control system. Unlike standard drones that typically land on static, flat surfaces, the DART system is designed to handle the complex challenges of landing on moving platforms. This capability addresses the issue of kinetic energy absorption and aerodynamic stability during high-speed landings.
Landing a drone on a stationary surface presents minimal difficulty. However, when the landing platform is in motion, the drone must decelerate rapidly from its own forward momentum and adjust to the velocity of the moving vehicle. The research team identified two main obstacles: first, the drone's forward tilt during high-speed flight increases the risk of rotor contact with the landing surface; second, the remaining kinetic energy must be dissipated effectively to prevent the drone from bouncing or becoming destabilized upon touchdown.
To overcome these challenges, the DART drone incorporates a landing gear system with friction shock absorbers and a reverse thrust mechanism. The shock absorbers consist of multiple thin discs that are electromotorically compressed through a gear system, allowing the level of damping to be precisely adjusted according to the impact speed. This configuration enables the landing gear to absorb the impact energy of a drone weighing approximately 2.4 kilograms at a velocity of 4 meters per second.
In addition to the adaptive landing gear, the drone utilizes reverse thrust as it approaches the moving surface. This feature helps press the drone onto the landing platform, increasing stability and reducing the likelihood of rebound. The combination of advanced shock absorption and reverse thrust significantly expands the operational envelope for safe landings.
Extensive trials were conducted using a pickup truck as a moving landing platform, which drove at speeds up to 68 mph (approximately 110 km/h) along a straight roadway. The DART drone demonstrated consistent performance, successfully landing on the vehicle's roof 38 consecutive times at varying speeds. These results highlight the reliability and repeatability of the system under real-world conditions.
The research team envisions practical applications for this technology in various sectors. Drones equipped with advanced landing systems could be deployed to moving boats, emergency response vehicles, or other platforms where stationary landing sites are unavailable. This innovation could enhance the operational flexibility of drones in search and rescue, surveillance, and logistics missions.
The findings from this study, published in the Journal of Field Robotics, underscore the importance of integrating mechanical and control system advancements to address complex challenges in UAV operations. The DART drone's success in high-speed dynamic landings opens new possibilities for drone deployment in environments with difficult or moving landing zones.
As drone technology continues to evolve, such developments are expected to play a key role in expanding the capabilities and applications of UAVs in both commercial and public sectors.