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Flying robots, i.e., drones, are being implemented to help solve various day-to-day challenges. The global drone market is significantly growing and is predicted to be 279 billion U.S. dollars by 2032. In recent years, drones have spurred interest in Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, thereby serving as a key enabler for various critical applications, such as automated infrastructure inspection, search and rescue operations, emergency and medical services, package delivery, and security and surveillance.

 

An indoor or outdoor network using Thread protocol has been developed that allows moving objects to quickly and smoothly transfer data. This can be used, for example, by small drones to investigate dangerous environments (such as a building on fire or in danger of collapse) and send tiny messages for e.g. sensor readings, camera images back to emergency crews.
Notably, the drone mesh network does not rely on any infrastructure within the building. That is, the building does not need to be equipped with any access nodes or routers to deploy the mesh network and relay information to the user. In this way, the drone mesh network can be deployed regardless of what building infrastructure may be damaged in the fire and without having to deploy infrastructure during a disaster. Using the information provided by the drone mesh network, users, such as firefighters, can be apprised of dangers within a building (e.g., collapsed ceilings, blocked doorways, or intense heat/flames), the location of persons in need of help, and/or where to focus firefighting efforts from outside of the building.
Further, considering the possibility of significant structural damage and deteriorating conditions within the building, the disclosed drone mesh network is resilient in that it can self-heal when drones are destroyed or otherwise knocked offline. Additionally, for battery-powered drones, drones can enter and leave the building as necessary for recharging, and the network will automatically reconfigure itself according to the Thread protocol.

• This can be used, for example, by small drones to investigate dangerous environments (such as a building on fire or in danger of collapse)

• Allows moving objects to quickly and smoothly transfer data

• Thread providing energy efficient and reliable local mesh capability

• Does not rely on any infrastructure within the building

• Drone mesh network is resilient in that it can self-heal when drones are destroyed or otherwise knocked offline

This can be used, for example, by small drones to investigate dangerous environments (such as a building on fire or in danger of collapse) and send tiny messages for e.g. sensor readings, camera images back to emergency crews. Small drones or other robotic devices could be used by NASA for the exploration of off-Earth objects. The military could coordinate mobile devices more effectively.

Patent(s) applied for