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Completed TRL 7 (started at 6, targeting 7)
This Phase II-E proposal will enable safe, autonomous flight in complex, dynamic urban environments in beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) missions. Our overall objective is to commercialize a minimally viable product (MVP) suitable for the highest priority capabilities needed for last-mile delivery operations. Our strategy is to develop software/hardware capabilities that can be integrated with various aircraft in a modular fashion. We will mature low-size, weight, and power (SWaP) components for safe landing, emergency landing, and navigation resilient to GPS dropout. We have four specific objectives in the Phase II-E program: (1) a balance between capabilities, cost, and reliability requirements, (2) a reliable means of real-time navigation for precision landing on a visually distinct target, (3) safe landing and safe delivery, and (4) safe departure and descent. This program will be conducted jointly with a prominent operator of last-mile delivery drones, and organized in four tasks: 1. Develop the concept of operations (CONOPS) and functional requirements for last-mile delivery that is aircraft-agnostic; 2. Integrate and adapt the autonomy system with a relevant last-mile delivery aircraft; 3. Conduct flight tests of the integrated autonomous drone delivery system; and 4. Demonstrate capabilities for safe autonomous last-mile delivery. We will use embedded computer vision and an optional lightweight lidar coupled with software in a tight loop. Significant attention will be placed be on the interface to the host vehicle so that integration to multiple flight control architectures is possible. While the base hardware and software technology has been developed and tested over a 5-year period, this program will mature the components to TRL 7.
The proposed work matures low size, weight, power, and cost components for autonomous flight directly related to NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility program (TX10.X, TX11.X in NASA's Technology Taxonomy) and for Future Aviation System Safety (TX16.1). In addition, the same technology is relevant to Entry, Descent and Landing applications for small spacecraft such as those landing on asteroids, that have real-time requirements (TX09.X). Our development will also advance certification for non-deterministic algorithms and “in the loop” fault management.
The main application that we are targeting is last-mile drone delivery in the National Airspace. Drone delivery will start with rural and suburban areas before it is utilized in urban settings. Economic analysis of aerial last-mile delivery shows that these operations are highly cost-sensitive and require a significant economy of scale. We expect to extend our work to mid-mile delivery as well.
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This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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