4 ms·

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yJillvmCs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yJillvmCs

by Gys 3y ago

rkagerer 3y ago
Interesting they didn't show it in any urban environments. Not pushing that application yet?
- 6nf 3y ago
  Previous urban delivery drone services had trouble with noise complaints, could be related to that?
  - ThisIsMyAltAcct 3y ago
    With 4 counter-rotating props, that would not surprise me
    - rkagerer 3y ago
      Recently discovered Sharrow boat props. Apparently the guy who invented them first developed the the concept for reducing noise from drones filming orchestras. I'm surprised we aren't seeing more widespread availability yet of "tipless" drone propellers. https://youtu.be/MNnB_50Z20I?t=553s https://youtu.be/MNnB_50Z20I?t=553s Previous HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33949895 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33949895 Similar design MIT patented: https://news.mit.edu/2022/lincoln-laboratory-inventions-win-rd-100-awards-0921 https://news.mit.edu/2022/lincoln-laboratory-inventions-win-...
      - Zanfa 3y ago
        There may have been new attempts, but when I last looked into these types of drone propellers, nobody seems to have been successfully able to demonstrate they actually offer significant improvements (either noise or efficiency) over traditional designs. To be fair, the limiting factor might be manufacturing capabilities, given most attempts were using 3d printed propellers which results in terrible surface finish, compared to injection molding.
  - borissk 3y ago
    One way to solve the noise problem is a drone flying high and dropping the parcel on a long rope.
    - rkagerer 3y ago
      Thanks. The boat prop offers some efficiency gains in mid-range speeds and better hole shot acceleration, but I guess the benefits don't carry to smaller scales and less viscous surroundings.
- throw310822 3y ago
  Make perfect sense. Mountains/ sea: expensive deliveries, lack of infrastructure, long delivery time, easy environment to navigate, less competition. Urban: cheap deliveries with plenty of existing infrastructure and competitors, complex and dangerous environment to navigate.
  - dzhiurgis 3y ago
    I mostly agree, but this looks cheaper than car
jorisboris 3y ago
Surprised it actually still needs a pilot, although they do mention it can save previously flown routes, not sure how much that automates flying the same route over and over again?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yJillvmCs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yJillvmCs

by Gys 3y ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yJillvmCs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yJillvmCs

rkagerer 3y ago

Interesting they didn't show it in any urban environments. Not pushing that application yet?

6nf 3y ago
Previous urban delivery drone services had trouble with noise complaints, could be related to that?
- ThisIsMyAltAcct 3y ago
  With 4 counter-rotating props, that would not surprise me
  - rkagerer 3y ago
    Recently discovered Sharrow boat props. Apparently the guy who invented them first developed the the concept for reducing noise from drones filming orchestras. I'm surprised we aren't seeing more widespread availability yet of "tipless" drone propellers. https://youtu.be/MNnB_50Z20I?t=553s https://youtu.be/MNnB_50Z20I?t=553s Previous HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33949895 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33949895 Similar design MIT patented: https://news.mit.edu/2022/lincoln-laboratory-inventions-win-rd-100-awards-0921 https://news.mit.edu/2022/lincoln-laboratory-inventions-win-...
    - Zanfa 3y ago
      There may have been new attempts, but when I last looked into these types of drone propellers, nobody seems to have been successfully able to demonstrate they actually offer significant improvements (either noise or efficiency) over traditional designs. To be fair, the limiting factor might be manufacturing capabilities, given most attempts were using 3d printed propellers which results in terrible surface finish, compared to injection molding.
- borissk 3y ago
  One way to solve the noise problem is a drone flying high and dropping the parcel on a long rope.
  - rkagerer 3y ago
    Thanks. The boat prop offers some efficiency gains in mid-range speeds and better hole shot acceleration, but I guess the benefits don't carry to smaller scales and less viscous surroundings.
throw310822 3y ago
Make perfect sense. Mountains/ sea: expensive deliveries, lack of infrastructure, long delivery time, easy environment to navigate, less competition. Urban: cheap deliveries with plenty of existing infrastructure and competitors, complex and dangerous environment to navigate.
- dzhiurgis 3y ago
  I mostly agree, but this looks cheaper than car

jorisboris 3y ago

Surprised it actually still needs a pilot, although they do mention it can save previously flown routes, not sure how much that automates flying the same route over and over again?