Unmanned aerial systems

Modular Unmanned Aircraft System Project

Call it what you like.

The goals and scope of this project are as follows. This project will attempt to assess whether or not the state of the art is currently conducive to this sort of technology, and if it is, how best to implement the technology.

Specific questions that will be explored:

• Can systems be made that can remain airborne a long period of time?
  • Are solar cells currently advanced enough to allow this?
  • Do other technologies exist that could allow this?
  • Can this be done relatively inexpensively?
• Can software be developed to allow:
  • Communication between these devices
  • The devices to remain autonomous and safe
  • Communication between the ground
  • The devices to remain autonomous for long periods
• Can this be done to look attractive and sleek?
  • Can a twin blade design keep a vehicle aloft in an enclosure or in some hidden manner or other configuration?
• Is the technology marketable and useful?

What?

UAS are just what the name implies. They are devices that fly around, know what function they are supposed to perform, and then perform it. Possible uses for this technology include: wireless mesh network clouds, speaker systems, lighting systems, video monitoring systems, cleaning and sanitation, shipping, reconnaissance aerial photography systems. Many other uses could probably be thought up.

This technology is different than other technologies such as "smart dust" because UAS are comparably HUGE. UAS have an estimated size of about 6cm to several meters.

This devices are unique to other autonomous aerial technologies because they are low cost and meant for more general and practical uses.

Other unique properties of UAS include that they run much longer than conventional aerial vehicles. Technologies such as light weight solar cells are integrated into the system so that are able to run independently for long periods.

Anecdotally it seems that many of todays devices achieve commercial success because: they are highly functional and useful, fun, and sexy. UAS if they are viable, should be all these things.

Specifications

Will include:

• An on board computer with:
  • Processor
  • Memory
  • Storage
  • Wifi
  • GPS
• Brushless motor
• Twin rotors
• Batteries
• Requisite wiring
• Accelerometers

Might include:

• Cameras
• Microphones
• Speakers
• Storage
• Para-shoot
• Lights
• Fuel cells
• Manipulators
• Other tools
• Thin solar cells

Other specifications:

• Lightweight
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Functional
• Useful
• Easy to use

News

• December 18, 2006 - Project started.

See also

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California - A Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) flies over a simulated combat area during an operational test flight. The MAV is in the operational test phase with military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to evaluate its short-range reconnaissance capabilities.

• Wikipedia:Aerobot
• Wikipedia:Unmanned Aircraft System (FAA designation)
• Wikipedia:History of unmanned aerial vehicles
• Wikipedia:Unmanned aerial vehicle
• Wikipedia:Miniature UAVs
• Wikipedia:Micro air vehicle
• Aeroelasticity
• Unmanned ariel vehicle
• International Aerial Robotics Competition
• Coanda Effect
• Robotics Design Software
• Wikipedia:Coaxial rotors

External links

Components Accelerometers An Accelerometer Accelerometers Carbon fiber .125" 24" Tube .060" 24" Rod .070" x .437" 24" Strip .019" x .118 24" Strip .5" 5' Reinforcing Strip Carbon Fiber Sheet 24" x 8" Gyros Gyros Computers Gumstixs Mother Board WiFi Stick GPS Stick picotux Wireless Bluetooth Chip Bluetooth USB Solar Cells Powerfilm Flexcell Blades 6x4 Heli Props Motors 55g Brushless Another 55g Brushless 62g Brushless GPS World's Smallest GPS Module GPS Gumstix Chip

Cameras Micro Cameras Other sites of interest Microheli Gumstix Swarms Cellphone Camera Bluetooth Primer OpenSourceQuadrocopter Software CUWiN Community Wireless Network - Mesh networks for everyone. Integrating Vision Toolkit Cognitive Vision reacTIVision Java Vision Toolkit - Java toolkit to process 2D and 3D Images] STL like OpenCV wrapper - Computer vision and machine learning] PovClipse The VXL Project - C++ Libs for computer vision and understanding.] High Speed Vision System - Uses FPGA chips. Yet Another Robot Platform EStereo - C++ Computer vision. Gandalf vision and numerical library Servo-Trim LMH Rechner ACS USB servo controller device driver RC-servo driver OpenSource RC Flight Simulator MRSuite - Modular robotics simulator. SAM (Servo Actuation Manipulator) - Controls servo motors via serial port.

Related links

• 'Radio controlled airplane can fly for 10 hours on 500 grams of hydrogen'
• Nuvera to supply fuel cells for vehicles.
• Army invests in saucer technology...

Related news

• (2008) Robots that clean oil spills

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