Aidan P. 2024 | BASIS Independent Fremont
- Project Title: Engineering a Modular Solution to the Future of Transportation: Drones
- BASIS Independent Advisor: Dr Sanhita Dixit
- Internship Location: Service Now
- Onsite Mentor: Abhishek Kumar
Package delivery systems encounter the "last-mile" delivery challenge, which entails efficiently transporting goods from a distribution center to the final destination, typically a residential area, while overcoming logistical complexities and minimizing costs. Current solutions rely on fossil-fuel-powered vans that contribute to pollution and worsen traffic. Enter drones, a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation with the advantages of being battery-powered and using straight-line routes to destinations instead of roads like conventional delivery vans. Most packages are small and lightweight, well within the scope of medium-sized drone payload capability. My project aims to address the current limitations of delivery drones, characterized by excessive noise, inefficiency, and inadequate landing capabilities. My methodology involves rigorous lab work to determine optimal propeller setups, experimentation with adjustable pitch propellers, and fabricating lightweight drone components to support the payload. With the end product, I aim to showcase a fully functional drone with variable pitch, obstacle avoidance, payload handling, winged flight control, and battery swap technology, demonstrating a holistic approach to drone innovation.