Samsung's New Patent Hints A Foldable Drone

If this recent patent is implemented, it looks like Samsung has plans to make its entrance in the drone market. A report said that the Korean giant phone maker is developing a foldable drone that will feature a gyroscope, a barometer, an accelerometer, and of course, a camera.

Although Samsung hasn’t mentioned the time for mass production of this drone, the company seems serious about entering the drone market. Particularly, it has patented five components related to drone within 2018.

Anyway, the patent we’re talking about here was filed to the USPTO (the United States Patent and Trademark Office) on June 15th, 2017, indicating the design for a foldable drone. The foldable parts are the device's arms which the propellers will be attached to and are able to be folded and unfolded against the main body. As shown in the patent, the device’s housing structure will probably include two separate sections joining together and forming a compact device.

DroneBelow was the first to spot this patent, noting this is the fifth patent related to drones that Samsung obtained within 2018 alone.

According to Samsung’s explanation in the patent, the aerial vehicle will consist of a housing with a first and second housing structure. There will be a wireless communication circuit attached to or placed inside the housing to wirelessly communicate with an external controller. Plus, a series of propulsion systems will be coupled to the housing, along with a navigation circuit for controlling the propulsion systems.

Moreover, it is suggested by the patent that this device will have several usual features like wireless control through a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. Notably, this drone also allows remote control via other devices like wearable devices, washing machines, body implant, etc.

Apart from barometer and gyroscope, this vehicle will feature a compass as well as components that can sensor light, temperature, ultrasonic, and ultraviolet.

Currently dominated by companies from China, the drone market is projected to reach $1.2 billion in 2020. Skylogic Research’s report – titled 2018 Drone Market Sector – indicates that the present leader in this market is DJI holding about 74 percent of total market share, with Yuneec ranks second with 5 percent and 3D robotics with only 3 percent.

Hopefully, Samsung’s entrance in this market will come with considerable changes to this industry.