Automatic Jig-Assisted Battery Exchange for Lightweight Drones

Abstract

Drones utilize rechargeable batteries as a power source. Operating a drone requires human interaction with the exchange or recharge process of these batteries. This can provide limits for drones, which is why some use cases for drones could benefit from automated battery exchange. The purpose of this work was to research how a robotic arm could be used to automatically exchange flight batteries in flying drones without interference from operators and create a proof-of-concept system for evaluation. The devised method was based around a separate jig, which would hold the drone in place during the exchange operation, where battery exchange itself was handled by the use of a robotic arm. The constructed prototype could exchange flight batteries in drones in under two minutes with reasonable perpetuity and reliability.