How can you navigate off-road trails and new terrain? GM is working on deployable drones that can help scout these trails and provide information to the vehicle.
Navigating challenging terrain comes with a wide variety of issues that could mean trouble for many drivers. In some cases, you never know what’s waiting for you up around the next bend in the trails or the trees that block your path. When you want to know what’s up ahead, you often have to get out of your vehicle and walk up to see what the trail has to offer, especially if you’re the lead vehicle in your off-roading group.
A patent could help make off-roading easier
GM has applied for a patent to develop “drone-based off-road vehicle routing,” which simply means it would be deployable drones that can navigate the off-road terrain and send information back to the screen on the dashboard of the connected vehicle.
The drone would have onboard sensors, including radar and Lidar, with a data link to the vehicle to factor in various information and help the vehicle understand which obstacles must be avoided to continue to drive along the path of travel. This information could include inclines, approach and departure angles, potential obstacles, the type of road surface ahead, bodies of water, and escape routes that would help the driver understand where to go.
In some cases the GM deployable drones could offer multiple route options and sort them by degree of difficult. In addition to this information, these drones could estimate fuel consumption or electric driving range to calculate whether or not a vehicle would make it to the destination and back.
How could these drones benefit drivers?
The advantage of these GM deployable drones could be that they can be flown ahead of the driver’s line of sight to offer a terrain view in three dimensions and in real-time. Some vehicles have off-road navigation, but those maps aren’t updated in real-time. However, these drones could do that. This would help drivers see if a tree has fallen across their path, if the river is higher than normal, or if other unusual obstacles are in the way.
These drones could also be used to go with the driver on a hike, showing the terrain on a smartphone, or providing user location in case of an emergency. This could be extremely helpful for emergency service provides to find the driver and get them out of trouble more quickly.
Is anyone else working on a drone system?
GM understands the need to offer mapping in off-road situations, but they aren’t the only automaker doing this. Rivian has also tried to patent a drone system that would use the same systems to spot obstacles. The Rivian version seems intended for shorter-range use, while the GM deployable drones are made to scout a complete route to ensure a driver has a full view of the mapping desired.
GM has some impressive off-road machines
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Over the past few years, GM has gotten more serious about off-roading and adventurous fun out on the trails. The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is well-known as one of the top choices for adventurers to head out and have a great time on the trails. This truck packs a serious off-road punch with Multimatic DSSC dampers, a high stance, and an incredible engine that sends 430 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. This truck is ready for some serious action on the trails.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
The Silverado ZR2 is a little more toned-down compared to its midsize pickup sibling, but it still has the off-road chops to handle some tough trails. It could be easy to see the GM deployable drones helping the Silverado ZR2 navigate some incredible off-road trails. If you go for the Bison version, you’ll have some amazing upgrades from AEV, giving you a truck that’s filled with amazing off-road qualities to make it a lot of fun on any trail.
GMC Hummer EV
The Hummer EV is heavy enough to sink in the mud and snow, but it’s also powerful enough to get out of this trouble with ease. This massive vehicle has 1000 horsepower and three electric motors, along with some amazing features that make it more fun and exciting on any off-road trail than most other vehicles. This could be the perfect vehicle for some drones.
Will the GM deployable drones become a real thing? With a patent filed and research actively working on it, off-roaders could have these drones in the near future.
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