Preliminary Research and Documentation

The following research and documentation is meant to get this project started. Please consider this a work in progress. Significant work is needed to move this project forward.

Components

The following components are required to build Manta.

• Hexacopter drone - A drone to transport payload.
• Container clasps - To 
• Drone Pickup/landing platform - A platform that is installed on SeaPods. These platforms are for picking up and dropping off items.
• Storage chambercontainer clasps - A set of 4 clasps that are placed perpendicular to each other.
• Storage container - A storage area to store items. A water-proof storage chamber that holds a payload of up to 20 kilograms.
• Cameras - Cameras that can take high resolution pictures.
• Lighting system - A high powered lighting system. 
• Software application - Software to schedule the pickup and drop points, schedules and payloads. 

 

Hexacopter Drone

A hexacopter drone that can transport payloads of up to 20 kilograms. 

 

Drone Pickup/Landing Platform

A retractable landing platform is installed in each SeaPod. This serves as a pickup/drop point for the drone to deliver or collect payloads from the SeaPod. The platform has   

 

Docking Station

Manta has a docking station that is designed to accomplish the following:

• Upon docking, Manta batteries need to start charging from the charging points in the docking station. The charging points on the docking station and on Manta-1 need to be waterproof.
• Upon docking, the outer storage cover is unlocked and the storage container from within is pushed up using hydraulic mechanism. The storage container has a door can be opened by a user, using a 4 digit code that is generated in the application.

Figure 1 - SchematicIllustration diagramof a retractable pickup/landing platform.

Optional: The platform also has a unique code (April tag) printed on it to help the drone identify the precise delivery spot. This code is unique to each SeaPod. Use Python and OpenCV with April tag to identify the precise SeaPod for pickup or delivery of packages.

 

Storage Container Clasps

A set of 4 container clasps are installed at the base of the storagedrone. These are mechanical clasps to grip the container, hold the container placedduring the flight and release the container after the drone has landed. The clasps are automatically programmed in the Manta-1software storageapplication space.to release the container on landing and grasp the container after a user command is received.

 

Storage Container

The storage container is modularused andto hasstore separate compartments. One of the compartment is an ice-box and refrigeratoritems that canare keepmeant groceriesfor andpick medicinesup atdelivery. the required temperature. Alternatively, an ice-box and a casserole can be considered.

The storage container is removablewater fromproof and can automatically picked up or dislodged by the storage space and replaced by another storage container.drone. 

 

Cameras

8 highHi resolution cameras are placed around the body ofthe Manta-1.drone. 

• 2 cameras in the front, under the headlights
• 4 cameras on the wings - 2 and 2 on the farthest tip of each wing.
• 2 cameras in the back next to the propellers
• 2 cameras in the rear next to the propellers

 

Lights

A set of high powered lighting system to illuminate the sea for better visibility and picture quality. The recommended specifications for the lights are:

 

SONAR

SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is used to navigate Manta-1. The SONAR unit is installed in the front, on the wings and in the rear. The SONAR pings are programmed to increase or decrease the speed of Manta-1. For example, if all 3 sonar units record no obstacles in the next 60 feet, Manta-1 can accelerate. If there are obstacles from any one of the SONAR units, Manta-1 can decelerate and maneuver to avoid accidentally crashing into them. These SONAR units complement the proximity sensors.

 

Proximity Sensors

A proximity sensor detects presence of other objects and/or marine creatures within a given range. Proximity sensors are installed i in the front, on the wings and on the tail of Manta-1. These sensors safeguard Manta-1 against crashing into ships, coral reefs, or rocks and boulders under the surface of the water. This has a range of 30.48 centimeters (1 foot) - in all directions. Signals are transmitted through cables and wires through the shaft to the antenna and then on to the console on the boat. These proximity sensors complement the SONAR units. 

 

Salinity Sensor

A salinity sensor measures the salinity of sea water and other solutions. The data is transmitted through cables and over the transmitter to the console on the ship.  The salinity sensor must be capable of measuring the entire range of 24-52,000 ppm (parts per million) of sea water.

 

pH Sensor

A pH sensor measure the pH value of sea water (salinity). The data is transmitted through cables over the transmitter to the console on the ship. 

 

Thermometer (temperature sensor)

The temperature of water changes as we go deeper into the ocean. The thermometer records water temperature at different depths. The data is transmitted through cables and over the antenna/transmitter to the console on the ship.

 

Antenna/Transmitter

An antenna transmitter is installed on Manta-1 that receives data from the following:

The transmitter transmits  this data to the console on the ship for analysis and storage. This data is then parsed and information is uploaded to Manta software application.

 

Manta software application

• User sign up and authentication module
• Role-based access control
• Integration with drone GPS to specify pickup and drop points.
• Weight calculation based on theinventory
cloud.
• Billing Othermodule 
applications
• Inventory canmodule use(similar thisto dataa forshopping analysiscart application)
• Scheduling and furtherdelivery processing.