Unmanned vehicles while becoming smaller and smarter are addressing new applications in medical, agriculture, in addition to military and security

Attendees from around the world gathered in Washington to see the latest in unmanned technology. Robotic vehicles for air, water and ground duty were everywhere in the more than 600 stands covering over 45,000 square meters of exhibit space. Unmanned aircraft continue to dominate the industry as their importance in the military drone application and domestic security. Unmanned aircraft however are finding valuable new applications across the spectrum.

Researchers at more than a dozen United States Universities have programs underway to apply UAVs to various agricultural data gathering needs. Aerial robots are looking for plant disease or microbes that could cause plant diseases, to assess fertilizer and pesticide needs, to assess crop yield data and even monitor fish farming. Some of the exhibitors moving to address these immerging UAV needs displayed their latest in smaller and smarter unmanned aircraft.

Unmanned ground vehicles have traditional focused on military or security applications. Increasingly the driver less car for civilian applications is looming ahead. In the USA, three states have already approved driverless cars for operation on the streets. Twenty three other states are considering legislation to authorize such operation. Some of the benefits from civilian applications will include independent transport for older adults who can no longer manage driving, a decrease in air pollution from increased efficient operation and improved safety on the highways.

Smaller unmanned aircraft

Smaller unmanned aircraft are finding wider and wider application and increased acceptance in the civilian world. A recent survey found more civilians than ever accepting their use: 88 percent for search and rescue, 67 percent for security, 63 percent for crime fighting and 61 percent for commercial applications.

Delta Drone introduced their Delta H rotorcraft (Figure 1) to serve non-military type applications. The firm has focused on providing small unmanned aircraft for tasks such as: security, safety and resource management at mines and quarries, search for missing on mountains and agricultural tasks such as mapping, cloud diagnostics and parasite and disease monitoring. The rotor type craft can carry sensors for visual as well as infrared monitoring. For further information visit www.deltadrone.com.

Microdrones GmbH featured their md4-1,000 four prop unmanned aircraft (Figure 2). Weighing only 3 kg, the craft has a payload ability of up to 1.2 kg. Microdrone's aircraft offer a wide range of surveillance sensors including video or still cameras, spectra or visual light sensing, as well as gas and radiation sensors. The md4-1,000 has a flight time of up to 88 minute and service ceiling of 4,500 m.

The craft is equipped with hinged arms for compact storage for transport. Constructed of carbon fiber, the craft is highly weather resistant for operation in all environmental situations. The unit can be remotely controlled or operated autonomously with GPS navigation. Users include public authorities, industry and research and development/education organizations. For more information visit www.microdrones.com.

AEE Technology Co., LTD announced their latest unmanned integrated quadcopter aircraft, the F-100. The craft is designed with features that can be adapted to a wide range of applications. AEE craft are already addressing police and recon needs such as traffic and crowd control, firefighting and rescue operations related to disasters and other surveillance applications such as agricultural, mining, power and communications lines. For further information on the F-100 from AEE visit www.aee.com.

Adding flexibility to their unmanned aircraft, UTC Aerospace Systems introduced their vertical take off and landing kit for their Vireo™ UAS. The Vireo is normally a fixed wing craft and now with no tools required, the operator can remove the wings and configure the Vireo with the new four vertical prop kit.

The Vireo-X™ has a gross takeoff weight of 2 kg and payload up to 227 g. With a range of 10 km and cruising speed up to 25 knots, it can fly for up to 30 minute. It offers imagers including daylight, night, agricultural and aerial mapping. For more information visit www.utcaerospacesystems.com

Another one of the smaller unmanned aircraft on display was the cyberQuad MAXI at only 67×56×20 cm (Figure 3). The Australian firm, cyber technology highlighted their cyberQuad. Its features include: endurance of 15 to 25 minute, payload capability of 300-800 g and range of 500 to 1,000 m.

Duct shrouding encloses the rotors and reduces the risk of prop damage when used in crowded locations. An easy to replace or recharge battery powers the system. A range of sensors are available for video, optical or thermal scanning and still camera operation. Autonomous operation features such as go hold and return, auto takeoff and land, waypoint navigation and inward/outward panoramas. For further information visit www.cyberquaduav.com.au.

A flying wing style unmanned aircraft called the Skate® was highlighted by Aurora Flight Systems (Figure 4). The Skate is designed as a lightweight, easy to transport and quick to deploy aircraft. It is ideal for military, law enforcement or conservation teams needing airborne surveillance tools. A variety of monitoring sensors are available for all types of imaging needs.

A handheld controller includes a display screen to observe images in real time from the craft. The Skate has a range of 3.5 km, an endurance of 60 minute and speed to 50 knots. The payload capability is up to 0.2 kg. It can be launched with a hand toss or do a vertical take off. For further information visit www.aurora.aero.

Larger unmanned aircraft

Titan Aerospace featured their SOLARA, a solar powered high endurance, and unmanned craft (Figure 5). The SOLARA has a 50 m wing span and can carry up to a 32 kg payload. It cruises at up to 104 kph and offers a range of 4.5 million km. Solar panels cover the wings and tail and provide all of the power for flight, sensor operation and communications. The service altitude limit is 20 km.

Given the SOLARA five year endurance, the craft is referred to as an atmospheric satellite. It can be deployed for a wide range of applications of mapping, surveillance and monitoring. An onboard battery powers the craft when sunlight is not available. For further information on the SOLARA visit www.titanaerospace.com.

SAAB highlighted their Skeldar, helicopter like, unmanned aircraft, with VTOL and extended hover capabilities. The craft is 5.2 m long and 1.3 m high. It offers payload ability to 40 kg. It features a maximum speed of 140 km/h, a service ceiling of 3,500 m and an endurance of 6 hours.

The generous payload ability allows the craft to be equipped for surveillance, reconnaissance, fire control and/or target acquisition. A special landing system provides for safe operation for takeoff or landing of ships in maritime applications. For further information on the Skeldar visit www.saabgroup.com.

Ground type unmanned vehicles

Recon Robotics ™ continues to extend their family of throw-able robots (each weighing less than 1 kg) with features and accessories (Figure 6). Their Recon Scout ® IR is designed for indoor video reconnaissance. It features infrared optics that activates when the ambient light is low. It is exceptionally quiet and has a matte black finish for superior stealth operations.

A SearchStick® device enables operators to instantly convert the Recon Scout or the Throwbot micro-robot into a versatile camera on a pole. The operator can lift the robot to 1.8 m to peak into windows attics or crawl spaces quietly and from a safe distance. The SearchStick can also be deployed for robot recovery.

Also introduced by Recon Robotics is their under vehicle inspection robot (UVI). It is designed for applications such as vehicle inspection entering high security facilities, border crossing or temporary check points. It features a low light optics angles at 32 degrees above horizontal to provide a sweeping 60 degree view of the vehicle under carriage. For further information visit www.Reconnrobotics.com.

Another throw able robot was the iRobot 110 FirstLook™. The 2.45 kg robot is 10.2 cm high, 22.9 cm wide and 25.4 cm long. It features four cameras facing out on all four sides and with infrared illumination.

Other payload options for the FirstLook robot include thermal imagers, chem-bio sensors and charge deployment accessories. The FirstLook features a runtime of up to 6 hours and a speed up to 5.47 km/h. The operator's controller weighs just 0.8 kg and features a 12.7 cm LCD screen. For further information visit www.irobot.com.

Northrop Grumman introduced their next generation Andros Titus™ UGV (Figure 7). They claim it is the smallest. Lightest, fastest and most intelligent Andros ever built. It features track type drives at each of the four corners. The tracks can be raised and lowered enabling the Titus to climb stairs or other such obstacles.

The Titus can travel at up to 9.6 km/h and weighs only 61 kg. Other features are plug in and play sensors, drive assistance and quick release payload mechanical fastener system. For further information on the Titus visit www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/remotec.

QuinetiQ North America featured their back packable Dragon Runner UGV family. The Dragon Runner 10 (a micro UGV) weighs 4.5 kg and the Dragon Runner (a Small UGV) 20 weighs 9.07 kg (Figure 8). The systems are designed for reconnaissance, security and counter-IED operations. They feature cameras for day or night vision. Optional features include lightweight arms for recover or neutralization of IEDs, pan and tilt cameras and microphones.

The Dragon Runner 10 is 38×33×15 cm and offers 2-3 hour endurance. The Dragon Runner 20 is 51×38×18 cm and offers 3-4 hour endurance. The controller is easy to backpack as well. For further details on the Dragon Runners visit www.qinetiq-na.com.

Medical unmanned vehicle

Intouch Health ® introduced their RP-VITA™ remote presence robot for critical time saving operation in the medical environment (Figure 9). Medical staff can be present at the patient's side quickly and with full audio and visual communication patient and in-room medical staff while physically in some other location. The RP-VITA improves critical care while reducing time lost in specialists traveling from place to place in the medical facility. The specialist is in immediate full two-way communication with the patient and on-hand staff.

The RP-VITA features autonomous travel with only the medical specialist selecting a destination on a control station or iPad device. The unit automatically returns to the docking and recharging station after the end of a consult. The vehicle is 0.58×0.58 m at the base and stands 1.68 m tall.

The video system includes a camera with 120× equivalent zoom ability, with remote zoom and focus features. The display is a 38 cm LCD with 1,024×768 resolution plus a 21 cm LCD touchscreen pad. The audio system features a two headed speaker unit plus a base-mounted woofer for quality sound. The on-robot system is capable of 80 dB of sound (1 kHz @ 1 m). A unique feature of the RP-VITA is the ability of the medical professional operator to tilt the display and audio head to an angle that allows the patient and operator to be truly conversing face to face. Also the patient can adjust the head manually with damage to the display unit.

Locomotion is provided by an omni-directional drive system with a maximum speed of 5.4 kmh. Power is supplied by an onboard battery with 4-5 hour of charge depending on usage. Battery recharge time is 2 hour for 0 to 80 percent and 6 hour for 0 to 100 percent charge.

The system operates on the 802.11 a.b.g. or n. wireless network protocols. The control station allows the medical specialist also call up patient records on line. The iPad controller allows for familiar hand gesture control to speed learning and user adoption. For further information visit www.intouchhealth.com.

Other unmanned technology announcements

Sikorsky Aircraft announced a major research project, MATRIX™ Technology, to develop, test and deploy systems and software that will significantly improve the capability, reliability and safety of autonomous unmanned or piloted vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The project goal is to develop order-of-magnitude improvements in system intelligence and contingency management to better insure high levels of reliability.

The goal is to render loss rates of one per 100,000 VTOL flight hours, a thousand times better than the approximately one incident per 1,000 flight hours currently. For further information on the MATRIX project visit www.sikorsky.com.

Another recent UAV announcement from the Researchers at The Netherlands' Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) indicates they have designed, built, and tested what they say is the world's smallest autopilot for small unmanned aircraft. The open source autopilot is called Lisa/S, and weighs in at 1.9 grams – over 30 grams less than its predecessor – and measures 2 cm by 2 cm. The TU Delft researchers programmed new software called Superbitrf, which keeps the autopilot connected to a ground station and a normal radio control transmitter at the same time. The smaller, lighter autopilot allows a micro aerial vehicle (MAV) to stay up in the air longer and carry heavier cameras and sensors – making it easier to use MAVs for search and rescue missions.

Stratom highlighted their innovative automatic robotic tool changer for unmanned ground vehicles (Figure 10). The UGV operator can change tools while the vehicle is deployed. Return to the operator is not required. The tool magazine can hold the following tools:

• Sidewinder – a probing device to look for buried or exposed wires. The operator can wind the wires up as the jaws rotate.

• Cobra – a rake to remove debris or other material from around an IED.

• Adder – a hook that can be used for scraping, removing concealing material or helping to negotiate obstacles.

• Viper – a multipurpose tool to cut, puncture or pierce suspected IED soft and medium constructed containers.