Presentation and Contents copyright QuestUAV Ltd 2013

Transcription

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2 Where is the UAV industry taking us in remote sensing capability and what lies ahead? An industry leader s point of view. Nigel King FBIPP UAVSA CEO QuestUAV

3 Fixed Wing Orientated Talk UAV = RPA

4 About QuestUAV A UK manufacturer of fixed wing unmanned aircraft designed to carry remote sensing equipment We help provide the capability to analyse results that come back from a flight Our eight person team manufactures suav in our workshops in Northumberland, England Provides suav services Sells our UAV systems to a global community Provide training Work with many with Universities and Research Councils

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6 Where is the UAV Industry taking us? Further, Higher, Faster Bigger, Bolder, Smaller Tougher, Stronger, Cheaper but hardly ever easier

7 Quick Figures 5m geospatial without ground control (just UAV GPS positioning) in a single 300ha flight Potentially 5cm geospatial with ground control AND UAV GPS positioning 1.5 cm pixel resolution over a single 100Ha flight

8 More?? Higher Winds Water Operations Mountains.. In typical winds Buildings Multiple UAV Swarms 24 Hour coverage More capable sensors GIS

9 The ROADMAP European RPAS Steering Group (ERSG) European aviation system: EASA, EUROCONTROL, EUROCAE, SESAR JU, JARUS, ECAC, EDA, ESA, ASD, UVSI, EREA and ECA Setup by the European Commission in July 2012 as an outcome of the consultation conducted by the Commission between 2009 and 2012 on the future of RPAS in Europe Aiming at an initial RPAS integration by 2016 Roadmap identifies all the issues to be addressed and establishes a step-by-step approach to address them Available online at

10 The ROADMAP Every significant RPA organisation in Europe has decided that we need to harmonize the way RPA/UAV work and are regulated The Regulatory Work Plan proposes the transfer of national competence for RPAS <150 kg to the EU around 2016 This will be achieved in a smooth and progressive way. Annex 1 provides a Regulatory Work Plan identifying the improvements to the existing regulatory framework considered necessary to allow RPAS operating outside segregated airspace Annex 2 presents a Strategic R&D Plan identifying the technology enablers and the research activities necessary to achieve a safe integration of RPAS Annex 3 analyses aspects of the societal impact of RPAS

11 The ROADMAP The outcome is that the current 500m / 400ft is unlikely to change. However the research clause may be lost, meaning that certification may be required for the purely academic RS work you do Grandfather rights will in some cases be respected

12 Reasonable Boundaries Reaonable Boundaries

13 Reasonable Boundaries The average car size hasn t changed drastically for over a century, nor will average-user RS suav VTOL or Close VTOL is very sensible as the undercarriage is a restriction for many RS operations VLOS capability is very sensible 7kg for a new UAV/RPA user is heavy! 1kg to 4kg is reasonable to pack, carry, and fly Payload 2kg now, increasing to 4kg (possibly 12kg in short flight multirotor) Minimum of two operators for non-professional RS operations

14 Reasonable Boundaries

15 Where are we now? (Capability) Industry moving at an incredibly fast pace

16 25, ,000

17 Where are we now? (Capability) Every few months manufacturers announce greater capability Airframe costs reduce while capability increases Recreation / Toy market is quickly emerging (Parot, DJI Phantom)

18 Where are we now? (Legal) Analogy cars, country roads, dual carriageways and motorways In UK UAVs are only allowed to drive in a big car park Restricted to VLOS (500m / 400ft) or ELOS

19 Why Training? greater successes better data, more data reduced risks more enjoyable operating scenarios it can actually be fun and rewarding prevent scares, crashes and down time avoid personal and corporate embarrassment avoid claims

20 Where are we now? (Legal) Analogy cars, country roads, dual carriageways and motorways In UK UAVs are only allowed to drive in a big car park Restricted to VLOS (500m / 400ft) or ELOS Scenario 1 How would you feel if a fleet of experimental unmanned cars were driving around your area? And what if this were a regular event with occasional accidents? Scenario 2 Would you want an aircraft you are flying in to run the risk of impacting with a stray UAV? aircraft during its flight?

21 You will not be able to fly large distances in UK until Failsafe technology matures Properly Qualified Operators Regular Practice Insurance

22 What can we look forward to? Stronger airframes and improved reliability Improved data volume and accuracy Flight range will open up dramatically when Sense and Avoid technology becomes available Faster production cycles through things like 3d printing for UAV airframes and components Input from the toy / recreational market

23 Choice and Range of Sensors RGB Cameras as good as the commercial industry gets NIR Cameras modified commercial cameras Multispectral Currently mediocre, heavy or expensive eg Tetracam, new multispectral coming within 12 months Hyperspectral Almost there LIDAR already possible on heavy lift multirotor. 2kg barrier for fixed wing almost there (YellowScan 2kg) Thermal definitely getting more user friendly Mutipayload is here already

24 New Batteries, Greater Range, Larger Payload Li SO 2 (Sion) Batteries Four times capacity of Li- Polymer More Charges, More Stable More Environmentally Friendly When?

25 The Warning The attractiveness and availability of UAV technology is far outpacing the capacity of the industry to regulate itself. With more operators coming active, privacy fears and airspace sharing will become more of an issue With more inexperienced users in the airspace, flight safety will increasingly be at risk. Most of this is being addressed

26 The Challenges Are 1. To understand where appropriate regulation is required and to apply it with common sense (ERSG addressing that one). 2. To encourage manufacturers to place a great emphasis on responsible use (difficult). 3. To grow a network of accessible support, training and advice that will help new users become safe and skilled operators. 4. Place an increasing importance on training and currency. (through orgs like RSPSOC).

27 Newbie Questions 1. How big, how small, how fast, how long, how much payload, what accuracy, what resolution? This is what is important! 2. Success is about the pilot not crashing it. 3. Prep is about making up a good route and getting a fresh battery in. 4. With range and long endurance you can kick ass. 5. Cheap. We need cheap. 6. Autonomous means it will do all the hard stuff for you. Including the landing so strike number 2 above.

28 Real Questions How much does the provider assist me in getting from no-knowledge right through to getting useable data? How can I make up any shortfall? What team do I have surrounding me that will assist in making the project a sustainable one? What is the repeatability and reliability of the UAV/RPA system like? How easily repairable is it and can I repair it in my workshop? Will it provide the data that I want and if not what am I willing to compromise on? When it goes wrong (it will) what assets do we have that will help us get back on track? Taking the rose tinted glasses off, what is the true capability of the UAV/RPA and how much realistically will we be able to achieve with it?

29 Thank You Questions

30 Summary Bigger, Better, Faster, Higher, Wetter, More, More More Not necessarily easier (despite what the manufacturers will tell you). You will have to prove that you are competent and safe. Learn from how we design, regulate and use cars. The UAV industry has similar aspects, just compressed into a much smaller timescale Expect to stay within the 500g to 7kg weight band for very sensible reasons Airframe prices will come down. Better sensors will become available for a similar investment. You will still pay fully for the service, the training, the staffing, the insurance, the exams and the legislation. Organisation like ERSG are doing their job to bring coherent regulation together and make your life a little safer (if not easier).

31 Fixed Wing UAV/RPA Functions Propulsion GPS Airframe Autopilot Capability to manage all flight input data to fly UAV without pilot input Capability to manage and operate payloads inc cameras Capability to intelligently manage critical situations Data Collection (Black Box) Needed to log all control movements and triggers. Logging of route and camera image locations. Logging of all pitch / roll / yaw for every camera image. Power Source High output LiPo. Capable of extended flight. Safe. Reliable. Capable of many charges. Efficient, Reliable, Electric, Powerful, Vibration free Autopilot needs to know exactly where it is in order to navigate. Lat/Long Height, Speed, Sats, PDOP etc. Performance, Legal and Environmental Capability Pass CAA restrictions and licensing Manage difficult or high winds, turbulence, thermals and still be able to navigate and take good imagery. Cover a large survey area in a single flight (up to 800Ha) and survive hostile landings. Designed for exceptional robustness Easily transportable Aerodynamic - Good glide angle Operate anywhere High Impact Absorption High visibility Easily repaired Payload Bay Manage different vis camera, IR camera Multipspectral, thermal, video or extra batteries etc. Camera & Gimbal Protection for camera during landings Must create vertical imagery Vibration free imagery Launch System Must accelerate UAV to safe flying Speed without damage Must be easily transportable Easily set up & removed