Smart Drone Controlled by Gestures for Intuitive Navigation

Problem Statement

For our Innovation School residency we worked to design and implement a smart drone that leverages user-mounted sensors to enable intuitive control, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous task execution in dynamic and unpredictable environments.

Idea

A drone that monitors the movement of the fingers on your hand and then accordingly accelerates, deaccelerates or changes its direction

Prototypes and rejected versions

Ideas discussed:

Solar powered water purifier
Rc all terrain vehicle
Smart drone that uses gestures to move
Spoken language into sign language converter

Final idea:
Smart drone that uses gestures to move

Reason for choosing smart drone project:
Driven by the transformative power of smart drones, we are on a mission to revolutionize the way we live and work. Envisioning a world where smart drones make our lives easier, safer, and more efficient, we are excited to be at the forefront of this technological revolution. According to a recent study, smart drones are expected to create 100,000 jobs in the United States by 2025, and the global drone market is projected to reach $100 billion by 2026. With their ability to automate tasks, improve safety, and collect data, smart drones have the potential to make a profound impact on our world.

Final Project idea /Solution

We’re developing a smart drone controlled by user-mounted sensors. These sensors, called flex sensors, will be worn on the user’s hands and detect finger movements. These movements will then be translated into flight commands for the drone, allowing for intuitive control. Initial prototypes will utilize simple buttons for basic functions like takeoff and landing, while later iterations will focus on integrating flex sensors for gesture-based control. This research aims to explore the feasibility and potential applications of this novel control system for drones across various fields.

This version:

Clearly explains the function of the smart drone and its control system.
Mentions the use of buttons in prototypes and flex sensors in future iterations.