These New Smart Parachutes Rely on Mechanical Eyes, Not GPS
Malika Renee Butss — January 18, 2016 — Tech
The U.S. army is currently testing smart parachutes that stay on target no matter what. Designed for military use, these parachutes do not require GPS assistance.
With GPS being subject to error -- especially on the modern battlefield -- packages can sometimes miss their mark, which results in soldiers venturing into hostile territory to retrieve them. To eliminate the aforementioned danger, the U.S. military is developing a joint precision airdrop system that guides equipment towards its target using only visual cues. Known as 'JAPDS,' these smart parachutes rely on an aerial guidance unit, which is a small box designed with motors that manipulate the parafoil controls, a ground-facing camera to collect visual data and a small computer to oversee the process.
With this revolutionary innovation, threats to military GPS are decreased.
With GPS being subject to error -- especially on the modern battlefield -- packages can sometimes miss their mark, which results in soldiers venturing into hostile territory to retrieve them. To eliminate the aforementioned danger, the U.S. military is developing a joint precision airdrop system that guides equipment towards its target using only visual cues. Known as 'JAPDS,' these smart parachutes rely on an aerial guidance unit, which is a small box designed with motors that manipulate the parafoil controls, a ground-facing camera to collect visual data and a small computer to oversee the process.
With this revolutionary innovation, threats to military GPS are decreased.
Trend Themes
1. Smart Parachute Systems - Smart parachutes that rely on mechanical eyes for guidance instead of GPS are being tested by the U.S. army.
2. Joint Precision Airdrop System (JAPDS) - The development of JAPDS, a system that uses visual cues to guide parachuted equipment, eliminates the need for GPS assistance.
3. Aerial Guidance Technology - The use of aerial guidance units with small cameras and computers to manipulate parafoil controls opens up new possibilities for precise delivery systems.
Industry Implications
1. Defense - The defense industry can utilize smart parachutes and the JAPDS technology to ensure accurate delivery of equipment in challenging environments.
2. Logistics - The logistics industry can adopt aerial guidance technology to improve the precision and efficiency of package delivery, even in GPS-challenged or remote areas.
3. Surveillance and Imaging - The surveillance and imaging industry can explore the use of ground-facing cameras and computer vision algorithms for various applications such as aerial data collection and monitoring.
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