02 - Systems Engineering and Integration
AN AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM FOR DOCKING AND BATTERY SWAPPING IN UAVS
I. Kute¹, J. Dagli¹, E. Khot¹, R. Verma¹, P. Gupta¹, D. Shukla¹, R. Pant¹; ¹Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India, India
This study covers a robotic docking and battery swapping system for UAVs. As UAVs are utilized for a wide range of applications, from surveillance to package deliveries, the demand for UAVs with enhanced functionality and autonomy is on the rise. To achieve optimal performance and autonomy, the battery life of an UAV is a crucial factor. However, limited battery life necessitates the development of new technologies to increase the in-air time of UAVs. Many UAVs lose significant energy during take-off and landing thus leading to more reasons for adopting battery swapping systems. Unfortunately, existing battery-swapping systems are often complex and expensive to manufacture. Our mission is to showcase a simple yet effective robotic docking and battery swapping system made from readily available materials that can execute at altitudes of 500 feet or higher. To accomplish this, we will employ a custom, stable aerostat to launch the robotic system into the air. Ultimately, we envision creating a hub where various UAVs can land, dock, swap batteries, and continue their operations with renewed energy while their old batteries are being charged.