🚀 AeroCare: Revolutionizing Medical Delivery with AI-Powered Drones
When seconds matter, distance shouldn’t
💡 Inspiration
When Brian’s grandmother fell seriously ill in a remote village, her life-saving medication was delayed for hours due to traffic-clogged roads. This isn’t just her story—millions in rural and disaster-stricken areas face similar challenges. We asked: What if drones could bypass traffic, terrain, and time? That’s how AeroCare was born.
🎯 The Problem
- 1 in 5 rural patients experience dangerous medication delays
- Traditional delivery struggles with traffic, infrastructure, and cost
- Emergency scenarios demand speed + precision
🛠 How We Built It
Collaboration meets innovation:
Prototype Design: Modeled a custom attachment in Fusion 360 to securely hold and release the package.
Computer Vision: Used OpenCV on a model trained with YOLO, along with an ESP32 camera to detect the drop zone.
Automated Package Release: Developed a motorized pin-release mechanism that drops the package upon confirmation.
Parachute Deployment: Engineered a spring-loaded cover that releases a parachute for controlled landings.
🌟 Triumphs & Breakthroughs
“It actually works!” – First successful autonomous drop
CV-Arduino Handshake: Bridged Python scripts and microcontroller logic
10x faster pin release with gear motors vs stepper motors
🧠 Lessons Learned
Hands-on experience with Bluetooth modules (Adafruit Feather Light, HC-06).
The intricacies of training a computer vision model and handling large datasets (200+ images).
Rapid prototyping and troubleshooting in embedded systems development.
🔜 What’s Next?
Onboard Processing: Integrating a Raspberry Pi for real-time image processing, eliminating the need for a laptop.
Scalability: Exploring ways to expand AeroCare for broader medical and emergency applications.
AeroCare isn't just a project—it's a vision for a future where critical medical aid reaches people when they need it most. 🚀
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