BMT | SPARO | Payload delivery device that offers advantages for logistics drones

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We present the latest in disruptive technology for aerial logistics with BMT SPARO; a lightweight suspended robot that descends from an aircraft on a long weight-bearing line to collect and deliver payloads.
Along with our technical partner, Wright Airborne Computing, we initially developed the concept for defence applications. It was selected by the UK Ministry of Defence for the highly competitive annual flagship innovation event; the ”Army Warfighting Experiment 22”.
Benefits to the end-user/operator
Uniquely, BMT SPARO uses an internal winch to control its own height so it doesn’t require down-facing propellers to generate lift. This approach also concentrates system weight at the bottom end of the line to improve stability in wind and co-locates sensors and actuators for improved response and precision. This offers step-change improvements in capability, safety and through-life costs.
Instead of a large, noisy, hazardous aircraft having to land or hover close to the ground at remote, challenging locations, our new approach allows the aircraft to remain clear at heights up to 400ft(+) agl while the device takes responsibility for the final journey of the payload to ground level.
It also allows a safer, more precise delivery to a wider variety of locations, including confined spaces close to vertical surfaces and urban infrastructure.
What next for our solution
Alongside drone applications in defence, the approach may also offer value to manned helicopter operations and across other domains such as maritime ship-shore deliveries, support to maintenance engineers on tall structures, emergency services, and commercial drone delivery to domestic addresses. The project is looking to partner and licence the technology to a range of leading established suppliers.
If trials continue to prove successful, we are offering an alternative vision of the future in which the environment is not filled by the buzzing of drones hovering in close proximity to people, but one where drones remain safely at height, out of sight, out of earshot and out of mind.
About BMT
BMT is a leading international design, engineering, science and risk management consultancy with a reputation for excellence. We are driven by a belief that things can always be better, safer, greener and more efficient. We provide our customers with the capability, capacity and confidence to enable them to make the right decisions at the right time by drawing upon the expertise of over 1,300 professionals located in UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, Australasia and the Americas. Delivering independent, complex design and consultancy capabilities for over 37 years, we pride ourselves on being equipped to support our customers to tackle the most complex design and systems issues, and challenges, which enables the industry to deliver safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient shipping for the future. We draw upon a wide range of experience and expertise to provide high-quality, high value products and services across the maritime sector. BMT’s assets are held in beneficial ownership for its staff www.bmt.org.