Enhancing UAV safety with an innovative anti-collision cage: Design, testing, and future prospects

Abstract

The rapid evolution of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has revolutionized aviation across military and civilian domains with their pilotless flight capabilities. Despite their versatility, UAVs pose challenges in in-flight piloting precision, leading to potential mishaps. Addressing these concerns, this research introduces an innovative UAV Anti-Collision Cage designed to enhance drone safety. Constructed from C60-shaped carbon fiber rods and 3D-printed connectors, the cage resembles a footballs geometry, offering 360 protection. Experimental validations, including rolling, collision, and flying tests, were conducted to assess the cages performance. While the cage demonstrated resilience against minor impacts, significant impacts posed challenges. The study concludes with recommendations for future improvements, emphasizing geometric refinements, material choices, enhanced rolling abilities, sensor integration, and payload capacity. This research underscores the importance of safety mechanisms in UAV operations, paving the way for safer and more efficient drone operation in confined and complex environments.