Survey for Safety

I would like your help. Safety is my number one issue with drones. Last year I was learning to fly my Parrot AR. Drone that I had fitted with carbon fiber blades. I was doing a simple take off and landing in the living room to impress a friend. I was hovering and accidentally hit the "Home" button. Instead of a soft landing the AR Drone took off from a distance of about 10' from me and came right at my face. As I was trying to deflect it, the carbon fiber blade put a gash on my left eye, just missing my eyeball. I don't know about you, but that really soured my experience and nearly put out my eye.

I had every intention of taking the money I had saved to start a Real Estate Photography company. Instead I became afraid of the drone. A friend purchased a Phantom from DJI and had a very similar experience on his very first flight.

Oddly enough I became so fascinated with the industry that started to look for solutions to the danger of any multi-rotor with plastic or carbon fiber blades. I came up with what I affectionately call DroneKone. It is complete and substantial propeller protection to help make drones safer.

I started a small company with my limited funds and developed a model of my concept. I was able to get a provisional patent on my safety device. Then I had a devastating life event and was out of action for a year. I have recovered. I don't have any funding at this point except out of my pocket and started seeking funding. I was told by a potential investor that I needed to survey 100 people to find out if my product is market worthy.

Okay enough story. Simple Survey for Safety:

Yes or No Are you concerned about drones flying around Children?
Yes or No Do you have a concern about your personal safety when flying a drone?
Yes or No If a safety device was available would you consider purchasing it?
What would a safety device look like to you if you could design one?
How much would you pay for a safety cage if one was available when you purchase your drone.

I greatly appreciate you reading this far and ask for help. If this is just plain stupid, then I would like to know that now, before I spend any money on moving further.

Thank you so much for listening. I am grateful to be a small part of this awesome community.

bob

John,

Thank you for responding to the survey. 4 down and 96 to go.

Good point about the size of the copter you are flying is basically a flying lawn mower. When treated with proper respect and care, we should never have to have safety devices.

15" to 28" props. Wow that is a big copter. Do you routinely use props larger than 15"?

Thank you for the comment that you would pay for protection for the props if it met the weight vs. strength test. We are looking in to a variety of materials even plastics covered with EPDM for cushion.

The prop guards that are out there detach to easily or break just by looking at them. We are looking to design complete and substantial propeller protection without adding weight the thrust on the motors cannot handle.

Again Thanks.

bob

safethedrones.com

Replies

- bob cooper September 14, 2015 at 9:08am
  
  Kris,
  
  Thank you for your input. It was funny after the fact. I'm glad you use precautions when flying. I agree this is the biggest thing.
  
  bob
This reply was deleted.
- bob cooper September 14, 2015 at 7:14am
  
  Jeyoung,
  
  Thank you for your response. I personally feel that propeller guards are inadequate protection, but they are certainly better than no propeller guards!
  
  bob
  
  9
  
  The attached is a concept I'm working with. It needs to be versatile to fit multiple copters, but I'm thinking more custom fitted.
  
  frontlegsdowncam.jpg
This reply was deleted.
- bob cooper September 16, 2015 at 1:59pm
  
  John,
  
  Thank you for taking time to do this survey. What kind of copter are you flying? I appreciate your comment "Rule of thumb: Light, strong, cheap."
- bob cooper September 12, 2015 at 9:16am
  
  John,
  
  Thank you for responding to the survey. 4 down and 96 to go.
  
  Good point about the size of the copter you are flying is basically a flying lawn mower. When treated with proper respect and care, we should never have to have safety devices.
  
  15" to 28" props. Wow that is a big copter. Do you routinely use props larger than 15"?
  
  Thank you for the comment that you would pay for protection for the props if it met the weight vs. strength test. We are looking in to a variety of materials even plastics covered with EPDM for cushion.
  
  The prop guards that are out there detach to easily or break just by looking at them. We are looking to design complete and substantial propeller protection without adding weight the thrust on the motors cannot handle.
  
  Again Thanks.
  
  bob
  
  safethedrones.com
  - Ron Joly > bob cooper September 12, 2015 at 9:41am
    
    Yes Drones or any other dangerous thing needs to be a safe distance away from children.
    
    No I have safety concerns but I lessen the risks by following the operating tips and guides found on this site and others.
    
    Yes and No I could create prop guards for my 18" propellers not for safety but to avoid propeller damage. I use quality wooden propellers which to my surprise work great and cheap.
    
    I would create but would not buy either a ring that surrounds the propeller but Ideally I would just have straight tubes that project slightly beyond the reach of the propeller perhaps in a V shape. This would protect the prop when I perform a poor landing. All my prop breaks are from the Octocopter tipping over slowly.
    
    My 18X6.1 wood props are 25 bucks a pair so I doubt it would be worth buying props guards unfortunately and I think damage is inevitable even with prop guards.
    - bob cooper > Ron Joly September 16, 2015 at 2:00pm
      
      Ron,
      
      Thank you for taking time to fill out my survey. It is very important to me. I may have a good Idea or not. The users like you will tell me if I should continue my efforts.
    - bob cooper > Ron Joly September 16, 2015 at 10:02am
      
      Ron,
      
      Thank you for your informed reply. What kind of copter do you fly. 18" props are big. Do you fly professionally.
      
      I am beginning to understand the need to protect the props from damage as much as to protect the props from damaging other objects.
      
      bob
    - bob cooper > Ron Joly September 13, 2015 at 8:31am
      
      Ron,
      
      Thank you for your reply. Propeller breakage is your main concern. You are right a safety cover for an octo with 18" blades would be large and hard to control. It gives me food for thought.
      
      bob
      
      8 of 100
bob cooper September 11, 2015 at 5:38am

Mike, can you explain that a little better? So 15" props would make the bird say 48" from exterior tip to tip?
- Mike Boland > bob cooper September 11, 2015 at 10:13am
  
  We use the 1000 series Octo's mostly for business work, with the smaller stuff being more recreational.

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