  We propose a novel human-drone interaction paradigm where a user directly
interacts with a drone to light-paint predefined patterns or letters through
hand gestures. The user wears a glove which is equipped with an IMU sensor to
draw letters or patterns in the midair. The developed ML algorithm detects the
drawn pattern and the drone light-paints each pattern in midair in the real
time. The proposed classification model correctly predicts all of the input
gestures. The DroneLight system can be applied in drone shows, advertisements,
distant communication through text or pattern, rescue, and etc. To our
knowledge, it would be the world's first human-centric robotic system that
people can use to send messages based on light-painting over distant locations
(drone-based instant messaging). Another unique application of the system would
be the development of vision-driven rescue system that reads light-painting by
person who is in distress and triggers rescue alarm.
