Tag Archives: University of Colorado

398 Cargo Drone

The design for a large autonomous cargo drone, important noise research, Ford’s idea for a vehicle inspection drone, a high-speed VTOL concept challenge, identifying human trash on the beach, UAS in unsegregated airspace, Western parts in a Russian drone, the longest BVLOS waiver issued by the FAA so far, and an intelligent drone controller that “looks ahead.”

UAV News

Cargo drone concept from Natilus.
Cargo drone concept, courtesy Natilus.

Drones as Big as 747s Will Fly Cargo Around the World With Low Emissions, Startup Says

Natilus has designed a blended wing cargo drone that the company says allows it to carry 60 percent more cargo, slashes cost by 60 percent, and produces 50 percent fewer carbon emissions. Founded in 2016, the company announced $6 billion worth of pre-orders for over 440 of its aircraft. Four models are envisioned with cargo capacities ranging from 3.5 to 130 tons. Natilus has completed two wind tunnel tests and the first flight of a full-scale prototype is planned for 2023.

Video: Natilus Wind Tunnel Test 2021

Natilus Announces $6 Billion in Advance Purchase Commitments to Deliver Autonomous Cargo Aircraft to Customers

The advanced purchase commitments are for the delivery of 440+ aircraft in pre-orders, from Volatus Aerospace, Astral Aviation, Aurora International, Dymond Group, and Flexport. Others are to be announced. Flexport completed a $900 million investment round and has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for two 100T Natilus aircraft, with an option for a third.

Drowning Out the Sound of Drones

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are studying aeroacoustics using microphones in an anechoic chamber to test the frequency, wavelength, and amplitude of sound from drones. However, the “acceptable” noise level depends on where people are, the time of day, and the goal of the technology. For example, you might not mind the noise if the drone is delivering key medical supplies, but you might mind if it’s a pizza delivery to your neighbor.

Ford wants to hide spy drones in autonomous cars

Ford has patented a concept where a drone is hidden somewhere inside the vehicle, specifically, inside an autonomous ride-hailing car. The secret drone could inspect the vehicle for damage after the ride. Ford is co-owner of the Argo AI autonomous car company which plans a ride-hailing service.

Jaunt Air Mobility attracts market research investment to advance “U.S. DoD high-speed VTOL capabilities”

The AFWERX High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge is a crowdsourcing effort for the United States Air Force and U.S Special Operations Command. Jaunt Air Mobility is one of 11 companies selected from 200 applicants to research solutions that enable optimal agility in harsh and difficult environments. Under the contract, Jaunt will develop two conceptual designs – the initial aircraft for the Multi-Mission Air Vehicle (MAV 55). That combines the features of a fixed-wing aircraft with VTOL. The AFWERX Challenge is a high-quality market research program, that uses design thinking workshops, crowdsourcing, events, and innovative contracting.

AI-enabled drones will tell human teams where to find marine debris

Researchers from Oregon State University and the NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) began a research project in June 2020, to use drones to identify human-made debris on the beach. Machine-learning algorithms were used to locate and classify synthetic-material objects. Drones would fly along the coastline and identify the debris to be removed.

Israel becomes 1st country allowing drones flight in civilian airspace: minister

The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has given its approval for a UAS to operate in civilian airspace. The Elbit Hermes Starliner will be able to fly in the same unsegregated airspace as piloted vehicles. Planned missions include border security and anti-terror operations, security at large public events, maritime search and rescue, commercial aviation and environmental inspection, and precision agriculture work.

Russian drones shot down over Ukraine were full of Western parts. Can the U.S. cut them off?

A Russian surveillance drone was shot down in 2017 when Ukrainian forces were fighting Russia-backed separatists. When it was opened, the drone contained a German-made engine, navigation and communication chips made by U.S. companies, a motion-sensing chip from a British company, and Other components from Switzerland and South Korea.

The Longest Distance BVLOS Waiver Yet: Censys and Soaring Eagle Technologies

The BVLOS waiver is for 12 miles to inspect power lines. That’s the longest waiver the FAA has granted. Censys Technologies Corporation builds remote sensing solutions for UAS service providers, enterprise organizations, and government entities. Soaring Eagle Technologies is focused on structure inspections and aerial mapping. The companies are using Casia, the detect-and-avoid system from Iris Automation.

UAV Video of the Week

NFL Creates Super Bowl Show In The Sky With 500 Drones

The NFL flew 500 drones over the Convention Center to create a Super Bowl show in the sky.

Mentioned

Built-in Intelligence Comes to Small, Pilotless Fixed-wing Planes

Commercial controllers work well for simple paths, but high winds can cause a pilotless aircraft to go off course and crash. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder are developing an onboard guidance algorithm for precision path-following. In tests, the controller allowed an autonomous drone to adjust to disturbances and modulate its airspeed as it followed a demanding path. It was faster and more accurate than a commercial guidance controller. The aircraft used a nonlinear numerical model for predictive control.

American Helicopter Museum

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UAV 003 Hurricanes, Fires, and Drones! Oh My!

Latitude Engineering Hybrid Quadcopter

A quadcopter that is also a plane, chasing storms (and other things) with disposable UAV’s, using UAV’s in place of satellites, and a tiny town that wants to pay you to shoot down drones.

The News:

Whaddaya get when you cross a quadcopter with a plane? The HQ UAV

For take-offs, landings and hovering, the Latitude Engineering HQ utilizes four horizontally-mounted propellers – just like a regular quadcopter. These are each driven by an individual electric motor, all four of which receive their power from two 5-cell 11,000 milliamp-hour lithium-polymer battery packs.

Cheap, Disposable Drones Are the New Storm Chasers

Some environments are simply hazardous for flying: wildfires and volcanic eruptions are examples. These are perfect opportunities for drones to provide the kind of observation you’d like to avoid with a manned aircraft.

The DataHawk from the Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles at the University of Colorado Boulder is to be used to measure Arctic Ocean ice melt. This will actually be flown to a spot on the ocean, then float like a buoy and drop sensors into the water to make measurements.

The University of Queensland in Australia designed a $50 plane made from biodegradable paper. The electronics are printed directly onto the body of the plane, which has small voice-coil actuators for steering.

The Samara prototype, also from the University of Queensland, falls slowly and transmits data by radio, and works like a Maple seed.

Solar-powered Solara UAV could stay aloft for years

The Titan Aerospace has designed the Solara UAV to stay aloft for 5 years at 65,000 feet as an “atmospheric satellite.” These have solar cell covered wings over 160 feet across.

Colo. ordinance would OK shooting down drones and FAA Warns Colorado Town Against Drone Hunting

Deer Trail, Colorado, population 559, want you to shoot down drones and the License is only $25.00. Shoot down a drone and you’ would earn a $100 bounty. Not all residents agree, and citizens get to vote on the proposal in October. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the U.S. airspace and has issued a statement warning people that shooting drones could result in fines and prosecutions.