Amazon applies for a new patent for drones

March 23 quoted GeekWire news, Amazon has submitted a patent for the delivery of drones. Drones can recognize human gestures and respond accordingly. For example, the gestures identified by the drone include waving arms, pointing, flashing lights, and speaking.

The patent states that human recipients and/or other humans can use human gestures to communicate with the drone to help the drone follow its path to the delivery site. The patent shows that the drone will recognize human gestures, including welcome and dangerous gestures. If a person waves in a welcome manner, the drone can interpret the gesture as an instruction to deliver the package."

The patent details several components of a drone, including communications, navigation, gesture determination, and delivery components. The drone will also have one or more light sensors, depth sensors, visible light cameras, infrared cameras, audio sensors and depth-sensing cameras. Although the drone concept is impressive, it is still only a patent, and it is not yet clear whether the drone will be produced. Amazon also submitted other patents that have not yet been converted into products, including a self-destructive drone and a mirror that allow users to wear virtual clothing.

The concept of drones that can respond to human interactions is not new. Samsung also has a similar UAV patent that can detect human faces and gestures. DJI's Spark drone can also respond to human gestures.

The application time for this patent was July 2016, and was disclosed this week. According to the patent description; "The human parcel receiver can use gestures to communicate with the drone to help the drone follow the path to the delivery point." The patent demonstrates the drone's "refuse" mode when the drone recognizes the "refuse" gesture, it will no longer be close to the gesture sender and adjust its speed and direction. When it recognizes the "welcome" gesture, the drone thinks it should deliver to the sender of the gesture.

Although the patent appears to be very powerful, it is still only a patent after all. It is not yet clear that the if the patent will be produced.