System of navigation and alert mechanism in unfavorable weather conditions using a network of collaborating drones

1 . A computer-implemented method for assisting in navigating a vehicle, comprising:

using an image captured by a vehicle camera on the vehicle to determine a vehicle visibility distance for the vehicle with a computing device on the vehicle;

comparing the vehicle visibility distance to a predetermined desired visibility distance;

using a first drone at the vehicle visibility distance away from the vehicle when the vehicle visibility distance is less than the predetermined desired visibility distance; and

combining the image captured by the vehicle camera with a first drone video image captured by the first drone to provide a combined image having a total visibility distance of a sum of the vehicle visibility distance and a first drone visibility distance.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

using an additional drone at the total visibility distance when the total visibility distance is less than the predetermined desired visibility distance; and

combining the image captured by the vehicle camera, the first drone video image, and an additional drone video image captured by the additional drone to provide a further combined image having a further total visibility distance of a sum of the vehicle visibility distance, the first drone visibility distance, and an additional drone visibility distance.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising repeating each act of claim 2 , stepwise with one additional drone at a time, until the further total visibility distance is greater than the predetermined desired visibility distance.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein a number of drones used is determined by a determined weather condition and a predetermined visibility distance for the vehicle under the determined weather conditions.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising using one or more drones from a first vehicle and one or more drones from a second vehicle to create the combined image that is shared to both the first vehicle and the second vehicle, wherein an angle of view of the combined image is adjusted when the first vehicle and the second vehicle are in different lanes of travel.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the vehicle shares the combined image with another vehicle that is not equipped with the one or more drones.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising providing communication between each drone of the first drone and each additional drone, wherein the communication tracks a navigation obstacle and provides an alert to the vehicle.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , further comprising:

generating a risk index of a possible mishap based on the first drone video image;

permitting alteration of the risk index as each additional drone identifies the possible mishap; and

instructing the vehicle to perform at least one of a speed change, a position change, or a lighting change.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising:

using an additional drone at a location past a curve in a road along a direction of travel of the vehicle; and

displaying the combined image along with an additional image from the additional image, the additional image showing a vehicle travel path of the vehicle past the curve, beyond a visibility range of the vehicle camera.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising:

providing communication between the vehicle and a second vehicle; and

using at least one drone from each of the vehicle and the second vehicle to create a common navigation for both a first vehicle and a second vehicle.

11 . A system comprising:

a processor;

a data bus coupled to the processor;

a memory coupled to the data bus; and

a computer-usable medium embodying a computer program code, the computer program code comprising instructions executable by the processor and configured to:

use an image captured by a vehicle camera on the vehicle to determine a vehicle visibility distance for the vehicle with a computing device on the vehicle;

compare the vehicle visibility distance to a predetermined desired visibility distance;

use a first drone at the vehicle visibility distance away from the vehicle when the vehicle visibility distance is less than the predetermined desired visibility distance; and

combine the image captured by the vehicle camera with a first drone video image captured by the first drone to provide a combined image having a total visibility distance of a sum of the vehicle visibility distance and a first drone visibility distance.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions are further configured to:

use an additional drone at the total visibility distance when the total visibility distance is less than the predetermined desired visibility distance; and

combine the image captured by the vehicle camera, the first drone video image, and an additional drone video image captured by the additional drone to provide a further combined image having a further total visibility distance of a sum of the vehicle visibility distance, the first drone visibility distance, and an additional drone visibility distance.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the instructions are further configured to repeat each act of claim 12 , stepwise with one additional drone at a time, until the further total visibility distance is greater than the predetermined desired visibility distance.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the instructions are further configured to use one or more drones from the vehicle and one or more drones from a second vehicle to create the combined image that is shared to both the vehicle and the second vehicle.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the instructions are further configured to:

use an additional drone at a location past a curve in a road along a direction of travel of the vehicle; and

display the combined image along with an additional image from the additional image, the additional image showing a vehicle travel path of the vehicle past the curve, beyond a visibility range of the vehicle camera.

16 . A computer program product for providing a navigation assistance, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein an execution of the program instructions by a computer cause the computer to:

use an image captured by a vehicle camera on the vehicle to determine a vehicle visibility distance for the vehicle with a computing device on the vehicle;

compare the vehicle visibility distance to a predetermined desired visibility distance;

use a first drone at the vehicle visibility distance away from the vehicle when the vehicle visibility distance is less than the predetermined desired visibility distance; and

combine the image captured by the vehicle camera with a first drone video image captured by the first drone to provide a combined image having a total visibility distance of a sum of the vehicle visibility distance and a first drone visibility distance.

17 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the execution of the program instructions further cause the computer to:

use an additional drone at the total visibility distance when the total visibility distance is less than the predetermined desired visibility distance; and

combine the image captured by the vehicle camera, the first drone video image, and an additional drone video image captured by the additional drone to provide a further combined image having a further total visibility distance of a sum of the vehicle visibility distance, the first drone visibility distance, and an additional drone visibility distance.

18 . The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the execution of the program instructions further cause the computer to repeat each act of claim 17 , stepwise with one additional drone at a time, until the further total visibility distance is greater than the predetermined desired visibility distance.

19 . The computer program product of claim 18 , wherein the execution of the program instructions further cause the computer to use one or more drones from a first vehicle and one or more drones from a second vehicle to create the combined image that is shared to both the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

20 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the execution of the program instructions further cause the computer to:

use an additional drone at a location past a curve in a road along a direction of travel of the vehicle; and

display the combined image along with an additional image from the additional image, the additional image showing a vehicle travel path of the vehicle past the curve, beyond a visibility range of the vehicle camera.