<section id="isPasted"><p>The global push for renewable energy is undeniable. Fueled by a potent combination of international cooperation and escalating climate concerns, renewable energy is experiencing a surge. At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in December 2023, over 130 countries committed to tripling renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030. Underscoring this commitment, GWEC Market Intelligence projects a significant expansion of 791 GW of new wind energy capacity in the next five years under current policies. With a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/electric-power-and-natural-gas/our-insights/offshore-wind-strategies-for-uncertain-times" target="_blank">vast theoretical potential of up to 70,000 GW</a> according to recent data shared by McKinsey, offshore wind is poised for significant growth.</p><p>However, maintaining these colossal turbines, often located miles out at sea, presents a unique set of challenges. Traditional manual inspection methods relying on industrial climbers are risky, time-consuming, and expensive. This is where drone technology steps in, offering a game-changing solution for offshore wind turbine inspections.</p><h2><p>Safety First: Reducing Worker Risk</p></h2><p>Inspecting offshore wind turbines exposes workers to many dangers. From falls from heights and electrical shock to the perils of working in confined spaces, the risks are considerable. With ever-increasing turbine heights, like GE's Haliade-X reaching a staggering 850 feet, these hazards become even more pronounced.</p><p>Drone solutions can solve these challenges in a transformative way. By eliminating the need for human climbers, drones significantly enhance safety and reduce the risk of accidents. Additionally, drones can conduct inspections more frequently, enabling the early detection of potential issues and preventing costly downtime through more regular inspections.</p><h2><p>Enhanced Efficiency: Faster, More Cost-effective Inspections</p></h2><p>Time is money, especially in the offshore wind industry. Traditional inspections take hours, impacting turbine operations and productivity. Drones significantly reduce inspection time. Studies suggest a potential 80% reduction in inspection time compared to manual methods, leading to substantial cost savings.</p><p>Furthermore, drones offer a more comprehensive inspection approach. They can reach previously inaccessible areas and provide detailed, high-resolution images for thorough analysis. This allows for the identification of even minor defects before they become major problems, preventing costly downtime and repairs.</p><h2><p>Technological Advancements: A Look at the Cutting Edge</p></h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729194076738-1729194076738.png" alt="1turbine8923475 copy" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>Drone technology constantly evolves, offering advanced solutions for wind turbine inspections. Here are some key areas of progress:</p><ul><li><strong>Mobile Thermography:</strong> These drones use thermal imaging sensors to detect variations in heat flow across turbine blades. Areas with structural defects will show up as cooler spots, allowing for early detection of damage before it becomes critical.</li><li><strong>Lidar Inspections:</strong> Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology provides visual inspections using high-resolution, 3D images of the turbine blades. While these inspections require slower, closer flybys, advancements in battery technology increases flight time, allowing drones to complete inspections of all blades without a recharge.</li></ul><p>However, the offshore wind industry has recently faced challenges. Stakeholders have expressed concerns over a high rate of project cancellations following significant cost increases. Despite these setbacks, the long-term potential of offshore wind remains substantial, and the industry is actively seeking innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles.</p><p>Drones play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by optimizing operations and reducing costs. By collecting vast amounts of data, drones enable predictive maintenance strategies, allowing operators to schedule maintenance proactively, allocate resources efficiently, and extend turbine lifespan.</p><p><strong>Learn more about <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/blog/drone-pcba-tackling-sensor-integration/" target="_blank">sensor integration in drones</a> now.</strong></p><h2><p>Data-Driven Decisions: Empowering Predictive Maintenance</p></h2><p>Drones collect a wealth of valuable data during inspections. High-resolution images, thermal readings, and 3D point cloud data from Lidar scans can be analyzed using sophisticated software. This data allows for the creation of digital twins – virtual replicas of the turbines – that can be used to predict potential problems before they occur.</p><p>Predictive maintenance, enabled by drone data, empowers wind farm operators to:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Schedule maintenance proactively:</strong> Instead of waiting for a turbine to fail, inspections can be targeted based on the collected data, optimizing maintenance schedules and reducing downtime.</p></li><li><p><strong>Optimize resource allocation:</strong> By identifying specific areas of concern, resources can be directed efficiently, reducing overall maintenance costs.</p></li><li><p><strong>Extend turbine lifespan:</strong> Early detection and repair of minor issues can prevent them from escalating into major problems, ultimately extending the turbine’s lifespan.</p></li></ul><h2><p>A Collaborative Approach: Humans and Drones Working Together</p></h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729194076496-1729194076496.png" alt="2turbine498yhud copy" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>While drones offer significant advantages, they cannot replace human expertise completely. A successful drone inspection program thrives on a collaborative approach:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Skilled Drone Pilots:</strong> Experienced pilots are essential for safe and efficient operation in challenging offshore environments. Their expertise in navigating wind conditions and maneuvering around turbines ensures the integrity of the data collected.</p></li><li><p><strong>Data Analysts:</strong> The vast amount of data collected by drones requires skilled data analysts. These professionals interpret the data, identify trends, and generate actionable insights for wind farm operators.</p></li><li><p><strong>Maintenance Crews:</strong> Once potential issues arise, human technicians remain vital for repairs and maintenance activities. Drones provide the initial assessment, but human expertise is crucial for addressing the identified problems.</p></li></ul><p>This collaborative approach leverages the strengths of both humans and machines. Drones handle the high-risk and repetitive aspects of inspections, while human expertise focuses on analysis, decision-making, and the complex tasks requiring manual intervention.</p><h2><p>Challenges and Considerations</p></h2><p>While drone technology offers immense benefits, there are still challenges to overcome. High winds significantly impact drone maneuverability and control, requiring experienced operators familiar with the specific challenges of flying around wind turbines. Salt spray from the ocean also affects drone components, making regular maintenance crucial.</p><p>Successful drone inspection programs emphasize careful planning and preparation. Autonomous flight capabilities minimize operator error and allow for precise control, especially in challenging weather conditions.</p><h2><p>The Role of PCBAs in Drone Technology</p></h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729194076109-1729194076109.png" alt="3turbine98tuo copy" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>The widespread adoption of drones for offshore wind turbine inspections underscores the critical role of <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/pcba/" target="_blank">Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs)</a> in this rapidly growing industry. PCBAs serve as the "brain" of drones, integrating essential components like sensors, processors, and communication systems. These intricate boards enable drones to navigate complex environments, capture high-resolution images, and transmit data efficiently.</p><p>As drone technology advances, the demand for more sophisticated PCBAs increases. Features such as enhanced processing power, miniaturization, and improved durability are essential for meeting the rigorous demands of offshore wind turbine inspections. Reliable and high-performance PCBAs are crucial for ensuring safe and efficient drone operation, ultimately contributing to the success of the offshore wind industry.</p><h2><p>The Future of Offshore Wind: A Symbiosis of Man and Machine</p></h2><p>The synergy between drones and advanced PCBAs is driving innovation in offshore wind turbine inspections. As the industry continues to expand, the development of cutting-edge PCBAs will be instrumental in maximizing the potential of drone technology and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future.</p></section><h4>Need high-quality PCBAs for your next drone build?</h4><p><a href="https://factory.macrofab.com/quick_quote/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=none" target="_blank">Get an instant quote now</a></p><section><h5><br></h5></section>

Learn how reliable and high-performance PCBAs are crucial for ensuring safe and efficient drone operation, ultimately contributing to the success of the offshore wind industry.

How Drones are Transforming Offshore Wind Turbine Inspections

Discover how Deep Trekker’s enhanced 4K camera overcomes traditional challenges involved with underwater photography and inspections. 

How Deep Trekker Solves Underwater Photography Challenges

<p id="isPasted"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">As Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technology advances, industries like energy, oil and gas, and maritime cargo are demanding more sophisticated, efficient, and safer inspection methods. Traditional approaches may no longer meet the complex requirements of today’s critical infrastructure inspections.&nbsp;Avestec's&nbsp;latest development, SKYRON 2, introduces significant advancements in this area, notably through its use of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology and 3D mapping capabilities.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 4"><em><strong>Importance of SLAM and 3D Mapping in Inspection Industries</strong></em></span></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335559738":319,"335559739":319,"335559740":259}'><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><strong>1. Enhanced Precision and Accuracy</strong></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">SLAM technology allows robots to generate detailed, real-time 3D maps of their surroundings while concurrently tracking their own position. This capability is essential for high-precision inspections of critical assets such as pipelines, cargo hulls, and FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units). Traditional methods often involve manual measurements and visual inspections that can be prone to errors. By integrating SLAM with 3D mapping, SKYRON 2 offers a more&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;and comprehensive view of the asset, minimizing missed defects and improving overall inspection quality.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI2MzE0NTgxLWNhcmdvLXRhbmttZWFzdXJlbWVudC5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><strong>2. Efficient Data Collection</strong></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">3D mapping is crucial for efficient data collection, particularly in complex and expansive environments like large oil and gas refineries. With SLAM-equipped tools, inspectors can cover extensive areas and intricate structures more swiftly than with manual methods. This efficiency not only accelerates the inspection process but also reduces downtime for critical assets, thus supporting continuous operations and cost management.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI1ODk4NzA1LU1lYXNzdXJlbWVudC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></span><br></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><strong>3. Real-Time Navigation and Analysis</strong></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">Real-time 3D mapping&nbsp;facilitates&nbsp;dynamic navigation and immediate data analysis. SLAM technology provides live updates on the robot’s position and environmental conditions, enabling operators to make informed decisions during inspections. This is particularly&nbsp;advantageous&nbsp;in hazardous or confined spaces where traditional methods might be inadequate. The ability to adapt to real-time conditions and address issues as they arise enhances inspection effectiveness and contributes to better maintenance practices.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><strong>4. Safety Enhancements</strong></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">Safety is a major concern in many inspection environments, especially in high-risk or hard-to-reach areas. SLAM and 3D mapping technologies enable inspectors to&nbsp;operate&nbsp;from a safe distance, reducing the need for direct human involvement in potentially dangerous conditions. Remote-controlled robots equipped with these technologies mitigate risks and ensure inspections can be conducted in areas where human access may be restricted or unsafe.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><strong>5. Detailed Asset Analysis</strong></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">The high-resolution point clouds produced by SLAM technology offer detailed insights into the condition of inspected assets. This level of detail supports thorough analysis and detection of even minor defects or anomalies. For precision-critical industries like&nbsp;energy and oil&nbsp;and gas, detailed 3D models&nbsp;facilitate&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;assessment and informed decision-making for maintenance and repairs.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI2MzI1OTA0LTNEbWFwLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><strong>6. Integration with Advanced Technologies</strong></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">SLAM and 3D mapping are integral to the integration of advanced technologies such as sensor-fusion systems and autonomous navigation. By combining data from multiple sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, and IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units), SLAM enhances the robot’s operational capabilities in diverse and challenging environments. This integration improves the reliability and accuracy of inspections, expanding the range of applications and enhancing overall tool performance.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 4"><em><strong>SKYRON 2’s Contribution</strong></em></span></span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335559738":319,"335559739":319,"335559740":259}'><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em></span></p><p><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335559738":319,"335559739":319,"335559740":259}'><em><strong><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI2MzQ0NjI0LVNLWVJPTjIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></strong></em></span><br></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">SKYRON 2 exemplifies these advancements by incorporating a sophisticated SLAM processing engine and high-resolution 3D mapping features. Its ability to produce detailed, real-time 3D maps ensures high precision in inspections, even in complex and dynamic environments. The integration of sensor-fusion technology further enhances its effectiveness, providing a comprehensive solution for modern industrial inspection challenges.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-CA">In summary, SLAM and 3D mapping are pivotal in advancing the inspection industry by offering enhanced precision, efficiency, real-time navigation, and safety.&nbsp;Avestec’s&nbsp;SKYRON 2&nbsp;leverages&nbsp;these technologies to deliver a powerful and precise inspection tool, addressing the evolving needs of various industries and setting a new standard in industrial asset inspection and management.</span><span data-ccp-props='{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":240,"335559740":259}'>&nbsp;</span></p>

The Role of SLAM and 3D Mapping in Modern NDT Inspection Technologies

Elevating Industrial Asset Inspection

<p id="isPasted">There’s a buzz around Kelowna these days.</p><p>Well, actually, there are two kinds of buzz. The first is the occasional faint sound of a small but smart drone, carrying out flights every two weeks over two separate orchards. These orchards grow peaches, pears, cherries and more.</p><p>And the other buzz? Well, that’s the discussion this special two-year project – a collaboration between InDro Robotics and the City of Kelowna (enabled with funding from BC Agriculture) – is generating among farmers in the region.</p><p>“Technology is always getting bigger and better,” says Riley Johnson, a manager at Byrnes Farms – one of the two locations where the project is being carried out. Johnson is an experienced farmer, and the land has been in the hands of his wife’s family for five generations. He knows the land and crops well, but is curious to see what additional data can be gathered.</p><p>“Anything in agriculture, the more information you get, you’re not going to be worse off. Especially for new farmers coming into the industry, any new kind of information can help out ten-fold – particularly if you’re on new land. Any information outside of the Old Farmer’s Almanac is always appreciated.”</p><p>What InDro is doing, to the best of our knowledge, is a type of precision agriculture that hasn’t been carried out before. It combines data acquisition from both drones and ground robots to ensure the most robust and reliable data possible.</p><p>This data is then used to assess overall vegetation health. Are there indications of pests in certain areas? Are any plants indicating low levels of chlorophyl? Does it look like that patch needs some pesticide – or maybe additional watering?</p><p>These are important questions for farmers whose livelihoods depend on maximizing the yield and health of their crops.</p><p>And this project? It’s all about finding the answers – and implementing solutions. Those solutions will include precision spraying of nutrients or other compounds in the precise location where they are required. The end result should be maximum yields with minimal – or no – areas of unhealthy crops.</p><p><em>Below: Healthy pears growing at Byrnes Farm. Photo courtesy Riley Johnson</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5MDI0Njk0LWltYWdlMDAwMDAxIDIuSlBHIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">An Introduction</h3><p>Before we get into all the details, it’s worth introducing you to Dr. Eric Saczuk (assuming you haven’t already met). He’s our Chief of Flight Operations – and comes with some serious chops.</p><p>Eric holds a PhD in Remote Sensing. He’s been assessing vegetation health (among many other things) using satellite data since the early days – long before drones came on the scene. But when drones <em>did</em> come on the scene, he quickly recognized their potential for the acquisition and interpretation of multiple kinds of data. He has flown missions all over the world on behalf of InDro, all involving complex data and analysis.</p><p>But that’s not all. He’s been an instructor at the <a href="https://www.bcit.ca/" target="_blank">British Columbia Institute of Technology</a> since 2003 and has been the director of the institute’s <a href="https://www.bcit.ca/learning-teaching-centre/remotely-piloted-aircraft-systems/about-rpas-bcit/" target="_blank">RPAS Hub</a> since 2016. He’s divided his time between BCIT and InDro since 2018 and is our go-to for highly complex operations. He’s also carried out multiple missions to acquire data for projects undertaken by Canada’s National Research Council – including <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/indro-robotics-flies-in-urban-wind-tunnels-for-national-research-council-project/" target="_blank">this fascinating research</a> on urban wind tunnels. There’s likely not a more qualified person in the country when it comes to drones and data.</p><p><em>Below: Dr. Eric Saczuk on an InDro mission. Image by Scott Simmie</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5MDU5ODQxLURTQ0Y3MDQyLXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">The Project</h3><p>Okay. You’ve most likely heard of precision agriculture by now. When it comes to drones, most of us picture something like this: A drone with a multispectral camera flies over a field of wheat or some other crop. That multispectral camera captures spectrums of light both visible and invisible to the human eye. When that data is crunched, it provides a detailed picture of crop health (we’ll explore more of this shortly).</p><p>In collaboration with the City of Kelowna and local farmers, we’ve been flying a mission every two weeks over two separate fruit orchards. We use a drone with a special type of camera. It has five lenses. One of those lenses simply captures RGB (or simply, colour) images. But the other four have filters that are tuned to pick up light only within specific spectrums that can be collectively analyzed to indicate the health of vegetation.</p><p>“So in addition to the RGB camera, you’d have one camera capturing just red reflected light, one capturing just green reflected light using filters, and then the other two are what we call red edge and near-infrared,” says Dr. Saczuk.</p><p>Red edge is particularly useful in the early detection of disease or stress in plants – as it is highly reflected by healthy chlorophyl. But the real magic happens when you take the data captured in these different light wavelengths of light and run some calculations on them. That’s what gives you the bigger picture.</p><p>“Think of each of these images as a number. Capturing these multiple spectral bands allows you to combine them using complex equations in a type of calculator to give you various indicators of vegetation health,” he says.</p><p>That data can answer a lot of questions.</p><p>“Is it healthy? Is it not healthy? Is it being productive? Is there chlorophyll? If so, how active is it?” he says.</p><p>“These are the kinds of questions we can answer when we do what we call ‘multispectral band combinations.’ And it gives us a really clear picture that cannot be detected by the human eye.”</p><p><br></p><h3>A Closer Look</h3><p>We’re going to take a look at an image in a moment.</p><p>Before we get there, though, it’s worth exploring something Eric said earlier. He mentioned complex math. He’s right. The math happens at the individual pixel level between each of the input bands and there are millions of pixels per band. The most common calculation is used to produce a result called NDVI (not be be confused with NVIDIA, the producer of AI chipsets). The acronym stands for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. And once the math is done, it gives you an accurate picture of vegetation health.</p><p>NDVI is calculated by using near infrared (NIR) and red bands (you’ll see the formula below).</p><p>The resulting pixel number in an NDVI image, will always be between -1 and +1. The higher the number, the better the health. If the number is low, it means there’s something worth looking at. The NDVI provides a detailed look at crop health and while it is regarded as the gold standard, there are also other calculations that can drill down to more specific indicators of vegetation health.</p><p><em>Below: Healthy vegetation absorbs most of the visible light that hits it, reflecting a large&nbsp;</em><em>portion</em><em>&nbsp;of the near-infrared spectrum. Unhealthy or sparse vegetation (right) reflects more visible light and less near-infrared light. When you do the math, it yields a lower NDVI number. (Public domain image by Robert Simmon.)</em></p><p><em>The second image is the equation used to calculate NDVI (which explains what those numbers are at the bottom of the first image).</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5MTg3Nzc0LU5kdmlfZXhhbXBsZS5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">From Data to Decisions</h3><p>Using the equation above (as well as other formulas), Dr. Saczuk turns all of that data into something both meaningful and actionable. (He’s speaking here in general terms about the project’s goals – not about any specific farm.)</p><p>“So we’ve got that data, that information that’s saying, ‘Hey, these trees were actually not doing well.’ And then the next question is, OK, can we see anything in the multi-spectral images that would indicate that these trees are somehow spectrally or reflecting light differently than the ones that are healthy?”</p><p>By looking at the data – and calculating not just NDVI but other indexes, images are generated that provide an at-a-glance look at crop health.</p><p>Traditionally, this has been a hugely time-consuming task involving multiple steps (and plenty of processing) on a laptop. Now, new tools are available that streamline the process. Dr. Saczuk is using&nbsp;a cloud-based solution specifically for precision agriculture.</p><p>“It really makes the whole process very efficient – because not only does it do the photogrammetry on the images, stitches them into these orthomosaics, but it also gives you the tools with which to analyse them. This would typically be a multi-step process, but this software makes it a one-stop shop, which is really nice.”</p><p>That’s without even getting into some of the AI capabilities of the software. It can, for example, count all the trees in a given orchard – and even give you the elevation of a specific tree.</p><p><em>Below: An NDVI image of one of the farms in the Kelowna project.</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5NDM0MzU1LVNjcmVlbnNob3QtMjAyNC0wOC0wMS1hdC0xMi4xNy41My1QTS5wbmcgY29weS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Now What?</h3><p>At this phase of the project, InDro is gathering data by drone alone. But as it progresses, two more things will happen: We will introduce ground robots and precision spraying.</p><p>The plan is that a ground robot will initially be fitted with the same kind of multispectral sensor used by the drone. Autonomous missions will be plotted and the robot will capture a series of images from the ground as it drives through the orchard. That data will be crunched and compared with the results captured from the air.</p><p>“This is a way of doing ground-based validation of what we’re seeing from the air, from the aerial images of the drones,” says Dr. Saczuk.&nbsp;</p><p>Once that validation is complete and if problem areas are detected, the next phase would involve precision spraying – which could be carried out by an <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/heavy-lift-agras-drone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AGRAS agricultural drone</a> – or even potentially by ground robot. Because all of the data is georeferenced, that means the fertilizer (or possibly pesticide or herbicide, depending on the issue) can be precisely applied to only the required locations. That, of course, is where the term Precision Agriculture comes from.</p><p><br></p><h3>Vice-Versa</h3><p>This project is data-driven, with aerial and ground acquisition. But at the outset, shortly after our initial flight in April of 2024, farmer Riley Johnson noticed that a couple of trees weren’t doing well. It wasn’t clear what was causing this failure to thrive, but he didn’t want to take any chances that a potential disease might spread further in the orchard. So those trees were taken down.</p><p>In this case, because the issue was spotted early and the location was known, Dr. Saczuk is quite interested in doing some deep drilling into the data at that spot. In fact, that’s the very issue he has recently been exploring.</p><p>“So we’ve got that data, that information that’s saying, ‘Hey, these trees were actually not doing well.’ And then the next question is: Can we see anything in the multi-spectral images that would indicate that these trees are somehow spectrally or reflecting light differently than the ones that are healthy?”</p><p>This is something that is also of particular interest to Johnson. Will the data reflect what years of experience indicated was a problem to his naked eye?</p><p>“As the season progresses, it will be really interesting to see what InDro comes up with,” he says. “But I can definitely see the value of this for someone just getting into farming, or for farms up the hills with new plantings, new growth. This could be very useful.”</p><p><em>Below: Another image of a Kelowna orchard from this project, showing elevation</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5NTkxMzMxLVNjcmVlbnNob3QtMjAyNC0wOC0wMS1hdC0xMi4xOS4yNy1QTS5wbmcgY29weS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3><p>We’ve been involved with precision agriculture projects in the past. In fact, we pioneered a “<a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/indros-drone-in-a-box-offers-precision-agriculture/" target="_blank">drone-in-a-box</a>‘ solution, where we’ve shipped a drone to farmers. We talk them through the process of being a visual observer, then instruct them on how to power up the drone. InDro then carries out the flight remotely, using 4G or 5G – while in constant contact with the observer. When it’s done, the farmer puts the drone in the box and sends it back. InDro carries out the data analysis and quickly sends an easy-to-understand report indicating what areas require attention – and what kind of attention they require.</p><p>But this project is very different, and exciting for multiple reasons.</p><p>“The bi-weekly flights by drone will provide a huge amount of timely data, enabling us to detect any potential problems at an early stage,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “But by adding robots to validate from the ground, we’ll have a more robust dataset that can be used to truly pinpoint areas of concern and which may require precision spraying. We are going to learn a lot with this project – and believe our findings will be of great benefit to farmers down the road.”</p><p>A final note. When Dr. Saczuk isn’t carrying out these flights, they’re being flown by a new addition to the InDro team, &nbsp;Jon Chubb. He’s already had interest from other farmers in the Okanogan who are eager to maximize their own yields and have an early detection system for any trouble spots. If you’re in that neck of the woods and would like to arrange a demo, you can contact Jon <a href="mailto:jon.chubb@indrorobotics.com" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

Kelowna Precision Agriculture Project

Drones and Ground Robots for Precision Agriculture

<p id="isPasted">Neural networks have made a seismic impact on how engineers design controllers for robots, catalyzing more adaptive and efficient machines. Still, these brain-like machine-learning systems are a double-edged sword: Their complexity makes them powerful, but it also makes it difficult to guarantee that a robot powered by a neural network will safely accomplish its task.<br><br>The traditional way to verify safety and stability is through techniques called Lyapunov functions. If you can find a Lyapunov function whose value consistently decreases, then you can know that unsafe or unstable situations associated with higher values will never happen. For robots controlled by neural networks, though, prior approaches for verifying Lyapunov conditions didn’t scale well to complex machines.</p><p>Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and elsewhere have now developed new techniques that rigorously certify Lyapunov calculations in more elaborate systems. Their algorithm efficiently searches for and verifies a Lyapunov function, providing a stability guarantee for the system. This approach could potentially enable safer deployment of robots and autonomous vehicles, including aircraft and spacecraft.</p><p>To outperform previous algorithms, the researchers found a frugal shortcut to the training and verification process. They generated cheaper counterexamples — for example, adversarial data from sensors that could’ve thrown off the controller — and then optimized the robotic system to account for them. Understanding these edge cases helped machines learn how to handle challenging circumstances, which enabled them to operate safely in a wider range of conditions than previously possible. Then, they developed a novel verification formulation that enables the use of a scalable neural network verifier, α,β-CROWN, to provide rigorous worst-case scenario guarantees beyond the counterexamples.</p><p>“We’ve seen some impressive empirical performances in AI-controlled machines like humanoids and robotic dogs, but these AI controllers lack the formal guarantees that are crucial for safety-critical systems,” says Lujie Yang, MIT electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) PhD student and CSAIL affiliate who is a co-lead author of a new paper on the project alongside Toyota Research Institute researcher Hongkai Dai SM ’12, PhD ’16. “Our work bridges the gap between that level of performance from neural network controllers and the safety guarantees needed to deploy more complex neural network controllers in the real world,” notes Yang.</p><p>For a digital demonstration, the team simulated how a quadrotor drone with lidar sensors would stabilize in a two-dimensional environment. Their algorithm successfully guided the drone to a stable hover position, using only the limited environmental information provided by the lidar sensors. In two other experiments, their approach enabled the stable operation of two simulated robotic systems over a wider range of conditions: an inverted pendulum and a path-tracking vehicle. These experiments, though modest, are relatively more complex than what the neural network verification community could have done before, especially because they included sensor models.<br><br>“Unlike common machine learning problems, the rigorous use of neural networks as Lyapunov functions requires solving hard global optimization problems, and thus scalability is the key bottleneck,” says Sicun Gao, associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California at San Diego, who wasn’t involved in this work. “The current work makes an important contribution by developing algorithmic approaches that are much better tailored to the particular use of neural networks as Lyapunov functions in control problems. It achieves impressive improvement in scalability and the quality of solutions over existing approaches. The work opens up exciting directions for further development of optimization algorithms for neural Lyapunov methods and the rigorous use of deep learning in control and robotics in general.”</p><p>Yang and her colleagues’ stability approach has potential wide-ranging applications where guaranteeing safety is crucial. It could help ensure a smoother ride for autonomous vehicles, like aircraft and spacecraft. Likewise, a drone delivering items or mapping out different terrains could benefit from such safety guarantees.</p><p>The techniques developed here are very general and aren’t just specific to robotics; the same techniques could potentially assist with other applications, such as biomedicine and industrial processing, in the future.<br><br>While the technique is an upgrade from prior works in terms of scalability, the researchers are exploring how it can perform better in systems with higher dimensions. They’d also like to account for data beyond lidar readings, like images and point clouds.</p><p>As a future research direction, the team would like to provide the same stability guarantees for systems that are in uncertain environments and subject to disturbances. For instance, if a drone faces a strong gust of wind, Yang and her colleagues want to ensure it’ll still fly steadily and complete the desired task.&nbsp;<br><br>Also, they intend to apply their method to optimization problems, where the goal would be to minimize the time and distance a robot needs to complete a task while remaining steady. They plan to extend their technique to humanoids and other real-world machines, where a robot needs to stay stable while making contact with its surroundings.<br><br>Russ Tedrake, the Toyota Professor of EECS, Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Mechanical Engineering at MIT, vice president of robotics research at TRI, and CSAIL member, is a senior author of this research. The paper also credits University of California at Los Angeles PhD student Zhouxing Shi and associate professor Cho-Jui Hsieh, as well as University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign assistant professor Huan Zhang. Their work was supported, in part, by Amazon, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the AI2050 program at Schmidt Sciences. The researchers’ paper will be presented at the 2024 International Conference on Machine Learning.</p>

MIT CSAIL researchers helped design a new technique that can guarantee the stability of robots controlled by neural networks. This development could eventually lead to safer autonomous vehicles and industrial robots. Image: Alex Shipps/MIT CSAIL

Neural network controllers provide complex robots with stability guarantees, paving the way for the safer deployment of autonomous vehicles and industrial machines.

Creating and verifying stable AI-controlled systems in a rigorous and flexible way

<p id="isPasted">We did a quick check, just now, on the current wildfire situation in British Columbia.</p><p>Nine wildfires were burning and labelled as “Out of Control” by the BC Wildfire Service. An additional two fires were categorised as “Wildfires of Note.” And we’re still very early in the wildfire season.</p><p>Recent years have seen an increase in devastating wildfires – in British Columbia, Alberta, California, Hawaii and elsewhere in North America. A 2014 fire in the Northwest Territories completely destroyed 8.5 million acres (3.44M hectares). There have also been massive wildfires in Portugal, Australia (42 million acres/17M hectares burned in 2019/2020), Russia – and other countries as well.</p><p>These examples are indicative of a trend; there’s compelling (and troubling) data to back this up.</p><p>“Multiple studies have found that climate change has already led to an increase in wildfire season length, wildfire frequency, and burned area,” says the United States Environmental Protection Agency. “The wildfire season has lengthened in many areas due to factors including warmer springs, longer summer dry seasons, and drier soils and vegetation.”</p><p>What’s worse is that major wildfires actually contribute to the likelihood there will be more of them in the future.</p><p>“Climate change is one of the major drivers of increasing fire activity,” says the <a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/global-trends-forest-fires" target="_blank">World Resources Institute</a>, which states that “the <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?map=eyJkYXRhc2V0cyI6W3siZGF0YXNldCI6InRyZWUtY292ZXItbG9zcy1maXJlcyIsIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWUsImxheWVycyI6WyJ0cmVlLWNvdmVyLWxvc3MtZmlyZXMiXX0seyJkYXRhc2V0IjoicG9saXRpY2FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiLCJsYXllcnMiOlsiZGlzcHV0ZWQtcG9saXRpY2FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiLCJwb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyJdLCJvcGFjaXR5IjoxLCJ2aXNpYmlsaXR5Ijp0cnVlfSx7ImRhdGFzZXQiOiJ0cmVlLWNvdmVyIiwibGF5ZXJzIjpbInRyZWUtY292ZXItMjAxMCJdLCJvcGFjaXR5IjoxLCJ2aXNpYmlsaXR5Ijp0cnVlfV19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest data</a> on forest fires confirms what we’ve long feared: Forest fires are becoming more widespread, burning nearly twice as much tree cover today as they did 20 years ago…</p><p>“Extreme heat waves are already <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/11/08/1052198840/1-5-degrees-warming-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 times more likely</a> today than they were 150 years ago and are expected to become even more frequent as the planet continues to warm. Hotter temperatures <a href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/08/climate-change-and-droughts-whats-the-connection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dry out the landscape</a> and help create the <a href="https://www.edf.org/climate/heres-how-climate-change-affects-wildfires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">perfect environment</a> for larger, more frequent forest fires. This in turn leads to higher emissions from forest fires, further exacerbating climate change and contributing to more fires as part of a “<a href="https://www.wri.org/insights/6-graphics-explain-climate-feedback-loop-fueling-us-fires" target="_blank">fire-climate feedback loop</a>.”</p><p>This is, obviously, concerning. Existing firefighting and fire suppression techniques haven’t changed much over the years – and the threat is growing.</p><p>A new Canadian company, SkyScout AI, believes it holds part of the solution. And after seeing a demonstration of some of its capabilities recently in British Columbia, we’re inclined to agree.</p><p><em>Below: SkyScout Ai’s Shawn Bethel prepares a “drone tanker” at a demonstration outside Penticton. Scott Simmie photo</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzE5NTk5NzQxMTE1LURTQ0Y3Mzg3LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Drone Tank Prep"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Sky Scout AI</h3><p>So. What is SkyScout Ai – and what does its solution entail?</p><p>It starts with the leadership.</p><p>“It’s a company that’s comprised of people who want to make a difference for their communities and trying to save them as climate change drives increase in fire activity,” says Chief Operations Officer and Co-Founder Geoff Griffiths.</p><p>We’ll explore some of that shortly. First, though, we asked Griffiths for his elevator pitch.</p><p>“We’ve come up with a first-in-class vertically integrated solution&nbsp;that spans satellite and drone early detection. And we have the capability with our drone tanker to not only fight the fire but protect the communities from fire by pre-treating vegetation and housing with our EPA-certified fire inhibitor called Citrotech. So it really is about a fully vertically integrated approach that really focuses on interface fires – those fires that interface with communities and critical infrastructure, that’s really our niche.”</p><p>All you have to do is think back to Kelowna last year and the threat posed to the city by wildfires. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDougall_Creek_fire#:~:text=The%20McDougall%20Creek%20Fire%20was,at%205%3A59%20pm%20PDT." target="_blank">McDougall Creek Fire</a> forced the evacuation of West Kelowna and made headlines across the country. Griffiths has seen such fires hit close to home.</p><p>“My parents were living in Kelowna during a major wildfire in 2003. Their neighbourhood burned down so it’s always been in the back of my mind – wanting to do something.”</p><p><em>Below: Helping detect and proactively inhibit wildfires also protects wildlife. Scott Simmie photo</em><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzE5NTk5Nzc3OTcwLURTQ0Y3MjY3LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Wildlife"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">How It Works</h3><p>The SkyScout Ai system integrates multiple components that collectively can – as the company states – “Detect, respond, protect.” And there’s a lot of technology at play to make that happen.</p><p>Though the startup is at the demonstration stage, here’s how the fully integrated system will work.</p><p>Let’s take the city of Kelowna as an example. In a long-term, proactive scenario, SkyScout Ai would place multiple permanent drone docks at several locations around the city. Those weather-resistant docks would contain drones with high-resolution thermal sensors. They’re simply sitting, with the drones fully charged, waiting for a signal.</p><p>That signal could come, automatically, from satellite data. Satellites are capable of detecting thermal hotspots and lightning strikes. So, in this example, let’s say a lightning strike is detected near Kelowna. That data and GPS location is instantly relayed, via SkyScout Ai’s software, to one or more of the thermal drones. The docks open and the drones launch, headed to the area of interest.</p><p>If the drones pick up a thermal signature – a fire – that information can, in turn, be relayed immediately to First Responders. So a fire crew might be quickly dispatched. Because this early warning system can detect so quickly, that crew will have a much better chance of extinguishing a fledgling fire.</p><p>But, as we all know, fires can spread tremendously fast. And that’s where SkyScout Ai has some other options to help protect valuable assets. Those options include what the company calls “tanker drones” and a very unique product called Citrotech. It’s a food-grade fire inhibitor that can prevent ignition (and which we’ve seen in action).</p><p>If it’s still a small fire, a tanker drone carrying Citrotech could be dispatched to extinguish the fire by aerosolising that compound over the site. But don’t start thinking this has the power of a water bomber – it doesn’t (though the company envisions larger drone tankers in its future).</p><p>Rather, a drone carrying Citrotech on board has the capability to protect infrastructure at that wildfire-urban interface point. The tanker can quickly spray the roofs of multiple homes or other structures requiring protecting. The product dries quickly and crystallises. Once applied, it is nearly impossible for that protected surface to ignite – even if that roof gets coated with burning embers (a common way houses are ignited during wildfires). Citrotech could also be sprayed on dry vegetation near those structures, effectively creating a firebreak.</p><p>“Citrotech modifies the material its on at a molecular level and has extremely high efficacy when it’s dry,” explains Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder Shawn Bethel. “So it coats combustible vegetation and really just inhibits the ability of combustible vegetation to combust. You can’t get it to ignite.”</p><p>Bethel knows what he’s talking about when it comes to wildfires. He’s the former BC Provincial Fire Control Officer – who was responsible for all of BC’s firefighting resources out of the Provincial Wildfire Operations Centre. His <a href="https://www.skyscoutai.com/team" target="_blank">bio on the SkyScout Ai website</a> says “He brings 25+ years of operational wildland fire management experience including senior roles on incident command teams and aerial firefighting asset management. Shawn also brings an additional 15+ years working in the private sector spearheading global business operations with technology services companies providing wildfire mitigation solutions and fire aviation services.”</p><p>So Bethel obviously has deep expertise in wildfires, including all available suppression technologies.</p><p>“SkyScout Ai is pushing to protect the wildland-urban interface from new fires starting from ember transfers and lightning strikes,” he says. “When it’s applied in advance of anticipated new wildfire activity, it has time to dry – which is easy to do during drought wildfire weather conditions – and essentially stops fire in its tracks.”</p><p>Again – this is not a solution to extinguish a massive raging fire. But it definitely is capable of stopping small fires from becoming larger, and protecting homes, vineyards, orchards and critical infrastructure from igniting.</p><p>“This is not for Rank 6 conflagration fires. What this is for inception fires, combustible vegetation near homes, near assets, and for infrastructure and roadways. Citrotech is an excellent fire inhibiting product.”</p><p><em>Below: Shawn Bethel, followed by a DJI Agras T-40 during a SkyScout Ai demonstration. The company envisions larger “drone tankers” in its future. Scott Simmie photos.</em></p><p><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzE5NTk5ODE3NTgwLURTQ0Y3MDA3LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Shawn Bethel"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzE5NTk5ODMxODk1LURTQ0Y3MTUzLXNjYWxlZC5qcGctMi53ZWJwIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Spraying Drone"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Sky Scout AI In Action&nbsp;</h3><p>At the end of May, 2024, SkyScout Ai brought its mobile Command Centre to a location outside Penticton, where vineyards – also highly vulnerable to wildfire – pepper the lush hills of the Okanogan Valley. That command centre (the first of many planned) contained a dock for a thermal drone, a massive spraying drone (in this case, a DJI Agras T-40), Citrotech and a control centre for the pilot(s) who will monitor autonomous operations and manually fly the tanker drone when necessary. That Command Centre, btw, is towed on a trailer. But it has been designed to quickly detach and the entire operation can be lifted by helicopter to any location where it’s required.</p><p>SkyScout Ai came to test its technology in advance of forthcoming demonstrations for the media, First Responders and other decision makers.</p><p>During testing, a small fire was set using a small fire starter brick placed on a stone. A thermal drone with RTK positioning was dispatched to locate the hotspot. In a full demo, that data and GPS location would be &nbsp;automatically forwarded to First Responders or a tanker drone which would head to that spot to dispense Citrotech (which can not only inhibit, but also extinguish).</p><p>That was impressive. But there were two real show-stoppers.</p><p>In the first, a pile of dry tumbleweeds were treated with Citrotech by spraying a fine mist on them (this was done manually, but could easily be done by the tanker drone). Thirty minutes later, a pile of untreated tumbleweeds was placed directly adjacent to the treated section. Then Bethel ignited the untreated pile with a blow torch. Within seconds, flames were shooting about two metres in the air. The burn was rapidly spreading.</p><p>And when it hit the treated tumbleweed? It stopped dead. Nothing burned.</p><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Drone Tanker</h3><p>In the second exercise, the drone tanker was filled with water. Two piles of tumbleweeds (one treated, one untreated) were again placed in a pile. The tumbleweeds were ignited and the Agras took off. From a distance of about four metres AGL, the spraying function was engaged. The blaze was extinguished in mere seconds.</p><p>So with near real-time detection using satellites and thermal drones, a tanker (or other First Responder, depending on the threat) could be dispatched literally within minutes of a lightning strike. And if that fire appeared to be growing and potentially threatening homes, vineyards, or other important infrastructure, the tanker could quickly coat these with Citrotech. Because it’s EPA-approved and food-safe, there’s no issue with spraying crops like grapes, cherries, etc. You could literally drink a glass of this stuff and be fine (though we didn’t try that).</p><p><em>Below: Shawn Bethel prepares to manually treat some dry brush with Citrotech</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1719599925770-DSCF7437-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">Business Model</h3><p>Though the Citrotech is important, a key part of the value proposition is in the early detection and location of fires. The earlier a fire is detected, the better the odds of mitigation before it can get out of control.</p><p>Here, SkyScout Ai has the advantage of integrating that satellite data directly into its software – which can then trigger an immediate launch of one or multiple thermal drones. With RTK positioning, they can get a precise bead on the trouble spot – and send back not only thermal images but also high resolution photos/imagery that can be shared with First Responders. Depending on the size of the conflagration and location, a tanker drone can also be dispatched.</p><p>So the primary business model would be to have a contracts with cities adjacent to forests. The docks with thermal drones would be installed at strategic locations as the first line of defense, with a tanker drone on standby. There’s also the option, as mentioned, to lift the entire command centre by helicopter to a location where it’s urgently needed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Citrotech</h3><p>The fire inhibitor, of course, could be dispensed by drone in the above scenario. But SkyScout Ai has an exclusive distribution contract for Citrotech’s product (known as Mighty Fire Breaker MFB-31) for all of Canada. It has plans to sell the product to individuals or companies that would like to have it handy for the ability to treat their buildings or property in advance of a threat. (Citrotech washes off in the rain, but there’s generally not much rain happening during the drought-like conditions that generally precede major wildfires. When sprayed prior to painting or staining, it remains effective.) So this product is definitely part of the equation.</p><p>“The secret sauce also is the addition of citrotech,” says Geoff Griffiths. “That fire inhibitor is the only fire inhibitor certified by the EPA in the US. It’s a non-toxic option that hasn’t existed before, and as you can see by our demonstration is highly effective.”</p><p>Griffiths says the timing for the SkyScout Ai solution is perfect.</p><p>“Obviously climate change is driving a lot of the wildfire activity that we’re seeing across the world. And regulators, government, private industry now realize that the standard ways they’ve approached wildfires in the past aren’t working or maybe aren’t good enough anymore. They’re open to new approaches.&nbsp;Add in the drone technology, satellite detection, and it’s a critical extra step in the evolution of a solution.”</p><p><em>Below: SkyScout Ai’s first Mobile Command Centre. The entire unit can be quickly detached from its trailer and transported by helicopter to remote locations. Image two: InDro’s Dr. Eric Saczuk prepares a DJI Agras T-40 for flight. Scott Simmie photos.</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1719600008961-DSCF7333-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1719600024917-DSCF7042-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take&nbsp;</h3><p>We’ve been involved with wildfire operations in the past. In Kelowna last year, we were called upon to help detect hotspots indicating subterranean combustion at a landfill. Locating and extinguishing hotspots like these (or burning tree roots – which can burn for weeks and reignite new fires), are also a critical part of wildfire suppression.</p><p>When SkyScout Ai was being formed, InDro Robotics was involved.</p><p>“We’re assisting with technology on the drone side of things,” says InDro Robotics CEO Philip Reece.</p><p>“We’re providing pilots and other technical support. For example, we’re putting our InDro Command module onto the drones. This enables not only Command and Control via 5G and dense data throughput, but also the integration of all of the drone data into the SkyScout Ai dashboard. As the company grows and Transport Canada regulations change, we anticipate assisting with the R&amp;D required for much larger tanker drones…</p><p>“Wildfires can be devastating and the models unfortunately predict will only get worse. We’re proud to be assisting with Scout Ai’s innovative solution.”</p><p>You can learn more about Scout Ai <a href="https://www.skyscoutai.com/" target="_blank">right here</a>.</p>

Sky Scout AI's New Fire Suppression Solution 

New Solution for Wildfire Detection and Mitigation

Drones are integral to military operations globally, especially in high-risk environments where manned flight is impractical. Learn how to integrate sensors into these devices properly. 

Drone PCBAs: Tackling Sensor Integration for Defense & Beyond

<section id="isPasted"><p>Clean, readily available water is absolutely imperative for our health and well-being. A massive part of water maintenance is the regular cleaning of storage tanks. Over time, sediment from particles and minerals in the water sink to the bottom of the tank, eventually creating a layer of sediment or sludge which can impact both the quality of the water and the structural integrity of the tank.</p><h2>Understanding Standpipe Water Tower</h2><p>Standpipe water towers typically represent the most straightforward approach to elevated water storage when dealing with lower capacities. These ground-supported structures closely resemble upright pipes, aligning with their namesake.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/R2MqI7R1Qd6zr0gIcJ37b/14a9ea400b65fa97c083cbd6a25f7c2f/unnamed.jpg" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii">This straightforward design offers the advantages of a modest initial expense and a space-efficient solution for housing significant water quantities. However, the standpipe design does present its share of challenges.</p><p>Given the substantial surface area relative to volume, standpipe water towers face challenges related to weather-induced fluctuations in water temperature, impacting water quality and causing thermal stratification issues.</p></section><section><p>Learn about the different types of industrial water tanks and how preventive maintenance reduces the tank's deterioration over time.</p><a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/news/water-tank-cleaning-robot" target="_blank" rel="">WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INSPECT WATER TANKS</a></section><section><h3>Benefits of a Standpipe Water Tank</h3><h3>Cost-Effective</h3><p>The additional elevation of the standpipe tank enables it to harness gravity's force to sustain adequate water pressure, facilitating the effective distribution of water stored within its reserves. The gravity-driven pressure system eliminates the necessity for a pumping mechanism, resulting in significant cost savings and positioning standpipes as one of the most cost-effective storage tank alternatives available.</p><h3>Customizable</h3><p>Standpipe tanks offer a high degree of customization, allowing you to tailor the tank's height to meet seismic, diameter, and loading requirements.</p><h3>Stable and Secure</h3><p>Standpipe tanks are typically constructed from factory-coated epoxy and glass-fused bolted steel materials, ensuring their long-lasting durability. Unlike lower-quality tanks that may require frequent replacement, these tanks are designed to stand the test of time.</p><p>Their robust construction virtually eliminates the risk of leakage and significantly reduces the likelihood of damage. Furthermore, the bolted steel construction provides effective protection against thermal stratification, a common issue in standpipe tanks due to their increased height, which exposes them to more sunlight and, consequently, heat. Standpipe tanks are among our most dependable and resilient designs.</p></section><section><h2>Ensuring Water Quality: The Importance of Standpipe Water Tank Cleaning</h2><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/5QIged8xUPu7Q7zZV23HTm/f5e05980fc3de1ed8e6c440f1e86dd67/Outlet_cleaning__2_.jpg" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Cleaning standpipe water tanks is essential to maintain water quality and ensure the safety of stored water. Over time, sediment, debris, and contaminants can accumulate inside the tank, leading to potential health risks and water quality deterioration.<p>Regular cleaning helps prevent issues like bacterial growth, algae formation, and the buildup of sludge, all of which can compromise the purity and safety of the water supply.</p><p>Regular cleaning of standpipe water tanks is crucial for maintaining water quality and ensuring the safety of stored water. Discover why this practice is essential for health and longevity.</p><h3>Preventing Microbial Growth: A Health Imperative</h3><p>Standpipe water tanks, if not cleaned regularly, become breeding grounds for harmful microorganisms like bacteria, algae, and fungi. Learn how routine cleaning inhibits microbial growth, preventing health risks associated with waterborne diseases such as typhoid, legionella, and malaria. Routine cleaning and disinfection inhibits the growth of these microorganisms, ensuring that microbes are reduced and the formation of biofilms caused by stagnant water is prevented, and the water remains safe for consumption.</p><p>The World Bank estimates that approximately 1.8 million people die each year from diarrheal diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation. Regular tank cleaning can help reduce the risk of waterborne diseases by ensuring clean and safe drinking water.</p><h3>Extending Tank Longevity</h3><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.awwa.org/" target="_blank">American Water Works Association (AWWA)&nbsp;</a>notes that the accumulation of sediments and corrosive elements can result in costly repairs and premature tank replacement.</p><p>The buildup of sediment, debris, and corrosive agents inside the tank can result in structural degradation and corrosion. Failing to conduct proper cleaning procedures can substantially diminish the tank's longevity, potentially necessitating expensive repairs or early replacement. Consistent and thorough cleaning plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the tank's structural integrity, ultimately prolonging its effective operational lifespan.</p><h3>Ensuring Regulatory Compliance</h3><p>Maintaining water quality is vital to meeting health and safety standards. Unclean tanks can compromise water quality, leading to potential violations of regulatory guidelines. Regular cleaning helps ensure that water quality is consistently within acceptable limits, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.</p><p>Various regulatory bodies, such as state and federal agencies, have guidelines and regulations for water quality and tank maintenance. Non-compliance can result in fines and penalties.</p><h3>Detecting and Preventing Damage</h3><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/2XZ6QMUbMnWi1I2apZRh5l/a6f8f99a37880dcecb2d6c231bcde357/zsolt-palatinus-pEK3AbP8wa4-unsplash.jpg" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii">During the cleaning process, inspectors can identify potential issues such as leaks, cracks, or material deterioration. Timely detection of damage allows for prompt repairs, preventing more extensive and costly problems down the road. This proactive approach helps safeguard the overall functionality of the tank.<p>Sediment and debris in a water tank can also displace a significant volume of water, leading to water loss. According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/home" target="_blank">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)</a>, water loss due to sediment buildup can be as high as 20% of the tank's capacity.</p></section><section><h2>Cleaning Standpipe Water Tanks: Exploring Effective Methods</h2><p>Various methods are employed to effectively remove sediment, contaminants, and debris that can accumulate inside these tanks over time. From manual cleaning procedures to advanced technologies like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), each method serves the vital purpose of preserving the safety and reliability of the water supply system. In this section, we will explore some of these methods used for cleaning standpipe water tanks and their respective advantages and applications.</p><h3>Manual Cleaning: A Traditional Approach for Smaller Tanks</h3><p>Manual cleaning is one of the traditional methods used for cleaning standpipe water tanks, particularly in smaller tanks where access is relatively straightforward. Trained personnel enter the tank and physically remove sediment, debris, and contaminants. This method often involves the use of tools like shovels, brushes, and squeegees. While effective for small tanks, it can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.</p><p>The process involves draining the tank, entering and inspecting, scrubbing and cleaning with tools, disinfection, and finally, inspection and repair.</p><h3>Advantages:</h3><p>Suitable for smaller standpipe tanks with straightforward access. Allows for a detailed visual inspection of the tank's interior. Can be cost-effective for smaller tanks.</p><h3>Challenges and Limitations:</h3><p>Labor-Intensive: Manual cleaning can be physically demanding and time-consuming, especially for larger tanks. Limited practicality for larger tanks: It is less practical for larger or deeper tanks where entry is more challenging. Water Disposal challenges: Handling and disposing of the water drained from the tank can be logistically challenging and wasteful. Safety Concerns: Workers must adhere to strict safety protocols when entering confined spaces and handling cleaning materials. Surfaces may be slippery due to sediment or cleaning agents. Risk of contracting waterborne diseases and contamination, in a confined space in the presence of hazardous chemicals. Limited Reach in Complex Designs: Manual cleaning may not effectively reach all areas, especially in complex tank designs.</p><h3>Diver Cleaning</h3><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/1ooByIv9M0juoZQMPmZ8Pu/fa97d784e47d19821ad8a15c4b7afea3/diver-ge1df722b6_1280.jpg" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii">In larger tanks with deeper water levels, professional certified divers may be employed to enter the water tank and perform cleaning and inspection tasks underwater. Divers equipped with specialized cleaning equipment and underwater tools can effectively clean and inspect the tank's interior. This method is particularly suited for larger tanks where human entry is necessary due to depth, access restrictions, or complex structural features.<h3>Advantages:</h3><ul><li>Suitable for larger standpipe tanks with challenging access or deep water levels.</li><li>Allows for a thorough visual inspection of the tank's interior.</li><li>Effective in removing sediments and biofilms that may not be reached by other methods.</li></ul><h3>Challenges and Limitations:</h3><p>Costly: Diver cleaning can be expensive due to the specialized training, insurance, and equipment required. Limited to Depth: Diver cleaning is primarily used for tanks with sufficient water depth to require human entry. Safety Risks: Diver safety is of utmost concern, and stringent safety protocols must be followed. As well as the risk of being submerged in a confined space, there also may be low visibility which makes it dangerous and difficult to assess areas of inspection. Water Containment: Proper containment and disposal of water and contaminants removed during the cleaning process are essential.</p><h3>Remotely Operated Vehicles</h3><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/2ytZ3qTp5hdwHHXBogaxS9/f159fe0a05f5d9192558ab2bdd1a900b/Deep-Trekker_family-hero.jpg" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii">ROVs have revolutionized the cleaning of standpipe water tanks, especially for large or difficult-to-access tanks. These robotic vehicles are equipped with cameras and cleaning tools, allowing operators to remotely navigate and clean the tank's interior. ROVs are ideal for efficiently cleaning and inspecting tanks, ensuring thorough and consistent results without the need for human entry.<h3>Advantages:</h3><ul><li>Safety: ROVs eliminate the need for human entry into confined spaces, reducing the risk to workers.</li><li>Thorough Inspection: High-definition cameras provide detailed visuals of the tank's interior, aiding in identifying issues.</li><li>Efficiency: ROVs can access challenging areas and effectively remove contaminants. Reduces the time needed: quick deployment, does not need scheduling with divers.</li><li>Portable, compact, and battery powered allows for convenient transportation.</li><li>Allows for real time monitoring of the cleaning process and provides a detailed visual record and easy reporting.</li><li>Easy to sanitize and prevent contaminants from entering the water with a diver.</li><li>Cost-Effective: In the long run, ROVs can be cost-effective due to reduced labor and maintenance costs compared to manual or diver cleaning.</li></ul><h3>Challenges and Limitations:</h3><ul><li>Initial Cost: The setup cost for ROV equipment and training may be relatively high, especially for smaller organizations.</li><li>Limited Physical Manipulation: ROVs may have limitations in terms of the size and weight of objects they can manipulate.</li><li>Limited Reach: ROVs may have limitations in accessing extremely tight spaces or navigating complex tank designs.</li></ul></section><section><h2>Exploring Efficiency: A Standpipe Cleaning Case Study with Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Inc.</h2><p>In an exclusive conversation with Robert Perrin of Ron Perrin Water Technologies, Inc., we delved into the transformative impact of deploying the Deep Trekker VAC crawler, affectionately known as "Wallie," for standpipe cleaning projects. Wallie has proven to be an indispensable asset, particularly for standpipes exceeding 100 feet in height.</p><h3>Saving Resources and Time:</h3>Robert highlighted a significant shift in their cleaning approach, stating, "We use the vehicle instead of divers for tank cleaning." Previously, draining tanks for cleaning resulted in substantial water loss, up to 100,000 gallons. With the advent of the Deep Trekker VAC crawler, the Ron Perrin team now achieves efficient cleaning without taking the facility out of service, preserving valuable resources.<h3>Key Decision Factors:</h3>When opting for Deep Trekker, Robert emphasized pivotal factors in their decision-making process. Affordability played a crucial role, and the VAC crawler's lightweight design distinguished it from competitors, offering enhanced portability.<h3>Safety and Efficiency in Operations:</h3>Portability is paramount for the Ron Perrin team, especially when navigating complex standpipe environments. According to Robert, transporting the utility crawler over 110 feet in the air and submerging it into the water demands a safe and efficient solution—the Deep Trekker VAC crawler perfectly fits this requirement.<p>The decision to use the VAC crawler instead of human divers is rooted in safety and efficiency. Robert explained, "We often deal with at least 100 feet of water, so the divers can’t stay down as long as the Deep Trekker can." This choice not only enhances safety but also ensures cleaning tasks are completed promptly.</p><h3>Reliability and Durability:</h3>Expressing satisfaction, Robert noted, "Our crew likes the vehicle; they think it’s fun to use." He emphasized the reliability and durability of the VAC crawler, highlighting its consistent performance as a crucial aspect of their operations.<h3>Customer-Centric Experience:</h3>Robert praised Deep Trekker's commitment to customer needs, stating that the company has "always taken care of our needs." The emphasis on customer experience is evident in the reliability, support, and functionality of the Deep Trekker products.<h3>Conclusion:</h3>We extend our sincere thanks to Robert and Ron Perrin Water Technologies for sharing their story. For further updates, you can follow Ron Perrin Water Technologies on Facebook, LinkedIn, and explore their blog. The innovative use of Deep Trekker VAC crawler showcases the intersection of efficiency, safety, and reliability in standpipe water tank cleaning.<h2>Unlocking Efficiency with Deep Trekker VAC Crawler for Standpipe Cleaning</h2><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.ctfassets.net/kzewhs8e6cvu/bzTXVBzuZz90ZdsPMmi6o/1542ba5048af488075b6ebd0ab766464/deep_trekker_dt640_vac_vacuum_crawler_side-removebg-preview.png" alt="DESCRIPTION HERE" width="800" height="356" class="fr-fic fr-dii">In the realm of standpipe cleaning, the Deep Trekker VAC Crawler emerges as a purpose-built ROV, meticulously designed to navigate and thrive in challenging underwater environments. This section unveils the distinctive advantages that position the VAC Crawler as the ultimate solution for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective standpipe tank cleanings.<h3>Built for Versatility and Durability</h3><p>Deep Trekker ROVs are meticulously engineered for adaptability, rendering them essential instruments across various sectors and applications. Crafted from top-tier materials like stainless steel, precision-machined anodized aluminum, and fortified with carbon fiber shielding, they exhibit remarkable durability, readily withstanding the harshest of conditions.</p><h3>Time-Efficient Deployment and Advanced Features</h3><p>Experience swift deployment and operational efficiency with Deep Trekker ROVs. The VAC Crawler, powered by lithium-ion batteries, eliminates the need for a topside power source, enhancing portability. With advanced features like powerful LED lighting, real-time 4K video feed, 360-degree field of view, underwater imaging sonar, and seamless integration with sampling tools, it's equipped for comprehensive standpipe inspections and cleanings.</p><h3>Expert Guidance and Tailored Solutions</h3><p>Our team of seasoned industry experts are ready to offer their expertise and address any queries you may have regarding the incorporation of submersible robots into your projects. Whether your operations involve water tank inspections and cleaning, salvage operations, underwater inspections, search and recovery missions, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, or many other applications, we are at your service to help you understand how our ROVs can be tailored to meet your distinct needs.</p><h3>Secure Your Deep Trekker ROV Today</h3><p>The Deep Trekker VAC Crawler is not just an ROV; it's a transformative solution reshaping the landscape of standpipe cleaning. Elevate your approach to underwater inspections and cleanings with the efficiency, durability, and adaptability of Deep Trekker ROVs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/contact-us" target="_blank">Contact us</a> to receive a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.deeptrekker.com/request-quote" target="_blank">customized quote</a> tailored precisely to your project requirements. By incorporating Deep Trekker ROVs into your standpipe cleaning operations, you secure unparalleled safety, efficiency, and success in your underwater maintenance projects.</p></section>

Discover the ultimate standpipe water tank cleaning solution with ROVs. Redefine efficiency, adaptability, and speed for elevated underwater maintenance projects.

Revolutionizing Standpipe Water Tank Maintenance with ROVs

<h1 id="isPasted">How to Combat Signal Integrity Issues in High-Speed Drone PCBAs</h1><section><p>Drones are everywhere. They’re changing the way we work and live, from <a href="https://insideunmannedsystems.com/use-of-small-uas-on-the-u-s-border-on-the-rise/" target="_blank">keeping borders safe in the U.S.</a> to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. But what makes a drone work reliably?</p><p>At the heart of every drone is its high-speed Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), a critical component that dictates the device’s performance and reliability. However, a PCBA with a suboptimal design can suffer from poor signal integrity (SI), leading to reflections, crosstalk, and ground bounce. These issues can compromise the circuit’s stability and overall performance.</p><p>Reflections can cause erratic flight behavior or even loss of control caused by glitches and errors in received signals. Crosstalk introduces unwanted noise into critical signals, interfering with sensor data or motor control commands. Voltage fluctuations caused by ground bounce can disrupt power delivery and potentially lead to unexpected shutdowns or malfunctions. In short, poor SI<br>jeopardizes the stability and smooth operation of the entire drone.</p><p>Given the slim margin for error, it is crucial for circuit designers to understand the nuances of signal integrity within drone PCBAs. This article explains what signal integrity is, why it matters to achieving quality PCB fabrication, symptoms of poor SI, and how using simulation tools can fix these issues early on in the PCB layout process.</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1718284953770-1718284953770.png" alt="1uihjfiun" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p><em><a href="https://www.tet.tuhh.de/en/research/signal-and-power-integrity-si-pi/" target="_blank">Via Array Modeling for Application in Fast, Energy-Efficient Digital Systems Ph.D Thesis Sebastian Miller</a></em></p><h2></h2><h3>Understanding Signal Integrity in Drones</h3><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1718284953499-1718284953499.png" alt="2mioewnf" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>In digital systems like drones, information moves between components using signals that are basically voltage levels representing binary “0” or “1”. Signal integrity focuses on the quality and timing of signals during a system’s data<br>transmission.</p><p>A digital signal with good integrity maintains the correct levels—both for voltage amplitude and timing. Amplitude integrity ensures that the signal’s voltage waveform is accurate and is within the required range for the receiver to interpret it correctly. Time integrity ensures that the signal’s switching edges arrive at the receiver’s input within the appropriate time frame.</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1718284953446-1718284953446.png" alt="3iowepjfk" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>Interconnects are the conductive paths these signals travel from the source component to the destination component. They include everything in the path: packages, solder balls, connectors, circuit board traces, cables, and component leads.</p><p>The main challenge with signal integrity comes from interconnects’ physical properties, like resistance, capacitance, and inductance. The resistance in the interconnects drops voltage levels, weakening signals by the time they reach the receiver. Also, at high frequencies, the interconnect’s capacitance and inductance cause crosstalk and electromagnetic interference (EMI).</p><p>As such, in PCBA design for drones, interconnects are complex frequency-dependent parasitic elements. Under certain conditions, their properties can distort or weaken signals especially in high-speed data transmission, posing a challenge for maintaining signal integrity.</p><h2></h2><h3>Common Signal Integrity Issues in Drone PCBAs</h3><p>Signal integrity quality in drone PCBAs directly impacts the bit error rate during data transmission. In turn, this affects a drone's performance. Common causes of poor signal integrity include:</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1718284953101-1718284953101.png" alt="4ouinhfisd" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><ul><li><strong>Crosstalk:</strong> This occurs when a signal from one conductive path unintentionally affects another, mainly from capacitive or inductive coupling in the transmission paths. Crosstalk can lead to incorrect logic switching on the quiet trace and alter the timing on active traces.</li><li><strong>Reflections:</strong> These happen when electrical currents in PCB traces, which have a specific direction, encounter a change in impedance in the transmission path. This mismatch can cause part of the signal to bounce back, interfering with the incoming signal. Reflections can lead to false clock triggering, increased jitter, and more unwanted emissions from the PCB, all of which degrade the drone's performance.</li><li><strong>Ground Bounce:</strong> Sometimes referred to as simultaneous switching noise (SSN) or delta-I noise, ground bounce happens when the ground voltage in a circuit board temporarily spikes. This is due to the inductance in the circuit paths or the inductance from the components' leads when multiple signals switch on or off at the same time. It causes signal distortion, wrong signal reading, and slower data transmission.</li></ul><h2></h2><h3>Drone PCBA Design Challenges Causing Poor SI</h3><p>Flight is energetically expensive, especially for smaller devices. This is mainly because of the challenges that come with making vehicles smaller. Smaller sizes mean motors are less powerful for their size, mechanical parts like gears and bearings become less efficient as a result of more friction, and air resistance affects them more due to changes in airflow characteristics (Reynolds numbers).</p><p>To manage these issues, drone PCBAs are designed to be compact, dense, and fast to pack more functions into a smaller space. They also use multi-layer boards to improve routing. But, this necessary design approach also makes them more likely to have signal integrity problems.</p><p>Here are some drone PCBA design challenges:</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1718284953571-1718284953570.png" alt="5ionegikjsd" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>High-Speed Multilayer PCBs: Multilayer PCBs in drones, designed for high-speed signal transfer, include vias that connect different PCB layers. At high frequencies, these vias can introduce impedance mismatches, leading to signal reflections.</p><p><strong>Layer Count and Thickness:</strong> The complexity of drone PCBAs often requires a high layer count, which thickens the PCB. This thickness increases via heights, increasing insertion losses and degrading signal strength and quality.</p><p><strong>Miniaturization and Crosstalk:</strong> Drone PCBAs are densely packed and miniaturized, amplifying crosstalk effects. The proximity of traces increases the likelihood of signal interference from adjacent traces.</p><p><strong>Heterogenous systems:</strong> Drones are heterogeneous systems, meaning they comprise various devices each with its own power, current, speed, and noise requirements. To accommodate these, PCBA layers are often split for separate power supplies. While splitting planes can improve the power/ground network quality, the slots introduced to separate the planes can create undesirable radiated emissions and reflections.</p><h3>Identifying Symptoms of Poor Signal Integrity</h3><p>When drone PCBAs suffer from signal integrity (SI) issues, several telltale signs can emerge, indicating that the design might not be as robust or reliable as required. Key indicators include:</p><ul><li><strong>Compliance Test Failures:</strong> Drones failing to meet required compliance standards often indicate underlying signal integrity issues.</li><li><strong>Inconsistencies After Component Changes:</strong> A drone that initially performs well but starts showing issues after swapping out IC suppliers or board fabricators.</li><li><strong>Sensitivity to Environmental Factors:</strong> If a drone's PCBA shows reduced performance when exposed to different power supply conditions or temperature changes, it could be a symptom of poor SI. Good design should ensure stability across a range of operational conditions.</li><li><strong>Lab vs. Field Discrepancies:</strong> A design that works well in the controlled environment of a lab but becomes unreliable or intermittent in real-world conditions is a classic symptom of SI issues.</li></ul><p><strong>Want to know more about addressing signal integrity problems? Read <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/blog/pcba-signal-integrity-problems/" target="_blank">PCBA Signal Integrity Problems: Ten Factors to Consider</a> now.</strong></p><h2></h2><h3>Addressing Specific Challenges</h3><p>While it is impossible to eliminate all SI issues caused by crosstalk, and reflections in a drone PCBA, there are effective strategies that can significantly reduce these problems.</p><h6>Reducing Crosstalk:</h6><ul><li>Space out components from I/O interconnects and areas prone to data corruption.</li><li>Route critical traces away from each other instead of in parallel.</li><li>Decrease the distance between signal traces and their ground references.</li><li>Ensure impedance matching for critical signal traces.</li><li>Avoid using shared return pins in packages and connectors.</li></ul><h6>Reducing Reflections:</h6><ul><li>Match and terminate transmission lines with their characteristic impedance to prevent mismatches.</li><li>Keep via stub lengths as short as possible.</li><li>Utilize stack-ups that position traces close to their reference planes, optimizing signal return paths.</li><li>Select the right via dimensions. Larger diameters can cause more impedance discontinuity, leading to increased reflections and insertion loss, while longer vias might reduce reflections but increase insertion loss.</li></ul><h6>Transmission Paths with 90° Turns:</h6><p>Routing transmission lines to components may require turning the line. At high-frequencies, sharp 90-degree turns can cause signal reflection. Instead of one sharp turn, it's common to use two smaller 45-degree turns to ease the bend.</p><h6>Differential Pairs:</h6><p>When using differential lines in drone PCBA designs, keep the two lines symmetrical. They should be the same distance apart and have the same length. If they're not equal, it can cause problems like ground bounce. To fix length differences, add a zigzag pattern to the shorter line near its start. This keeps the signals in sync across the PCB.</p><h6>Fibre Weave Effect:</h6><p>The fiber weave effect occurs when routing signals on fiber-based substrates like FR-4, where one trace might run over fiber and another over epoxy. The different dielectric constants of these materials can cause discrepancies in electrical length from simulated predictions, especially in differential lines and buses at frequencies above 5 GHz.</p><p>To mitigate this, routing lines in a shallow zigzag pattern, about 10 degrees, can help even out the variations by crossing over both fiber and epoxy. Another solution is using isotropic substrates like Rogers' TMM, which don't have this issue, though they are more expensive.</p><p><strong>Are you building drones for the defense industry? Read <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/blog/understanding-and-implementing-mil-spec-standards-in-pcb-assemblies/" target="_blank">Understanding and Implementing Mil-Spec Standards in PCB Assemblies</a> now.</strong></p><h2></h2><h3>Simulation and Validation</h3><p>Using simulation effectively can help pinpoint signal integrity issues in drone PCBAs. Once these issues are identified, the layout can be optimized to enhance performance, and appropriate termination methods can be applied to mitigate signal integrity's impact.</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1718284953947-1718284953947.png" alt="6sdgnkinr" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>Simulation tools enable early focus on signal integrity, leading to the development of high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective products. This proactive approach speeds up time to market, secures a competitive edge, and reduces the need for extensive prototype debugging, enabling quicker transitions to future projects.</p><p>Simulation tools fall into three categories:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Mathematical Tools:</strong> These utilize equations and graphs to model digital transmission systems. Examples include Matlab, MathCad, and Mathematica, offering a theoretical approach to signal behavior.</p></li><li><p><strong>Analog Simulation Tools:</strong> These create and simulate a schematic representation of the circuit. Tools like Spice, HSpice, and PSpice are notable for their schematic-based analyses.</p></li><li><p><strong>Specialized SI Simulation Tools:</strong> Designed for high-speed digital circuit analysis, these tools support both pre-layout exploration and post-layout verification. They assess signal quality and compliance with performance margins for various interfaces, including DDR and high-speed serial channels. Examples include HyperLynx and Cadence.</p></li></ul><h2></h2><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Signal integrity issues can cause product failures or damage components, leading to failures more often after the product is in use rather than during testing. This results in costs for replacing products and losing customer trust.</p><p>To fix signal integrity problems, it's important to first figure out why they're happening. Then, use every available tool to find and check the best solution.</p><p>By designing and simulating effectively early on, you can weigh the performance against the cost before it's too late, saving time, reducing risks, and cutting costs.</p></section><h4>Need a quality-fabricated PCBA for your drone?</h4><p><a href="https://factory.macrofab.com/quick_quote?utm_term=macrofab%20com&utm_campaign=s-branded&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GET AN INSTANT QUOTE NOW</a></p>

Drone flight is energetically expensive, especially for smaller devices. To manage this, drone PCBAs are designed to be compact, dense, and fast to pack more functions into a smaller space.

How to Combat Signal Integrity Issues in High-Speed Drone PCBAs

<p id="isPasted">InDro Robotics is pleased to unveil details of its highly capable new R&amp;D drone.</p><p>Running the Robot Operating System (ROS) and with powerful onboard compute capabilities, the drone is perfect for advanced Research and Development.</p><p>“It’s a drone geared toward R&amp;D first and foremost,” explains Luke Corbeth, Head of R&amp;D Sales. “It truly is a flying robot – and you can program and use it in a very similar fashion to all our other robots.”</p><p>There’s a real demand in the research world for open-source drones that can be programmed and run highly complex algorithms. These kinds of drones can be used to study swarm behaviour, object detection and identification, mapping in GPS-denied locations and much more.</p><p>For some researchers, the budget go-to has been the <a href="https://www.bitcraze.io/products/crazyflie-2-1/" target="_blank">Crazyflie</a>, a micro-drone that uses a Raspberry Pi for compute. Its advantage is that it’s quite affordable. But its low cost, 27 gram weight and relatively low computing power means it has limitations – including the ability add sensors of any weight.</p><p>“This drone can do so much more,” says Corbeth. “With the <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/autonomous-machines/embedded-systems/jetson-xavier-series/" target="_blank">NVIDIA Xavier NX</a> onboard for compute, it can effectively map entire environments. And when it comes to landing and object recognition, it’s truly phenomenal. It can even land on a moving vehicle.”</p><p><em>Below: A look at InDro’s new drone, which comes complete with LiDAR, a depth-perception camera, 5G connectivity – and much more.</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1715267903013-20240403_192314.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">The Back Story</h3><p>If you’ve been following the latest news from InDro, you’ll be aware we have an incubation agreement with <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/cypher-robotics-announces-captis-a-new-solution-for-industrial-scanning/" target="_blank">Cypher Robotics</a>. That company builds solutions for cycle counting and precision scanning in the industrial/supply chain space. InDro assisted with the development of its signature product, Captis.</p><p>Captis integrates an autonomous ground robot with a tethered drone. As the Captis robot autonomously navigates even narrow stock aisles, the drone ascends from a tether attached to that ground robot. The drone then scans the barcodes (it’s code-agnostic) of the products on the shelves. All of that data is transferred seamlessly, in real-time, to the client’s Warehouse Management System (WMS), WCS (Warehouse Control System) and WES (Warehouse Execution System) software.</p><p>The capabilities of Captis led to a partnership with global AI fulfilment experts <a href="https://www.greyorange.com/" target="_blank">GreyOrange</a> and leading global telco innovator <a href="https://www.ericsson.com/en" target="_blank">Ericsson</a>. The product debuted at the recent MODEX2024 conference (one of the biggies in the automated supply chain world), where it <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/cypher-robotics-captis-system-generates-buzz-at-modex2024/" target="_blank">gained a *lot* of attention</a>.</p><p>While working on the project, it was always clear the drone – thanks to multiple modifications – would be highly suitable as a research and development tool. It’s capable of machine vision/object recognition, machine learning, and can find its way around in completely unfamiliar, GPS-denied environments.</p><p>“In fact, I have one client that’s using it for research in mines,” says Corbeth.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>The Jetson Difference</h3><p>NVIDIA has made quite a name for itself – and quite a profit for its shareholders – with its powerful AI-capable processors. The Jetson Xavier NX features a 6-core NVIDIA Carmel Arm®v8.2 64-bit processor running at speeds of up to 1.9 GHz. Its graphics processor unit features a 384-core NVIDIA Volta™ architecture with 48 Tensor Cores. Put it all together, and the computing power is astonishing: The Xavier NX is rated with a maximum achievable output of 21 TOPS – <em>trillion</em>operations per second. (We were going to try to count, but thought it more efficient to rely on <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/autonomous-machines/embedded-systems/jetson-xavier-series/" target="_blank">NVIDIA’s specs</a> for this.)</p><p>The LiDAR unit currently shipping with the drone also has some flex. It’s the Ouster 32-channel OS1 (Rev6.2). With a maximum range of 200 metres (90 metres on a dark, 10 per cent target), its powerful L3 chip is capable of processing scans of up to 5.2 million points per second with 128 channels of vertical resolution (again, we didn’t count). Hostile environment? No problem. The LiDAR can operate from -40°C to 60°C and has an IP68 Ingress Protection rating.</p><p>“The OS1 is designed for all-weather environments and use in industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, mapping, smart infrastructure, and robotics,” <a href="https://ouster.com/products/hardware/os1-lidar-sensor" target="_blank">states its manufacturer</a>.&nbsp;“The OS1 offers clean, dense data across its entire field of view for accurate perception and crisp detail in industrial, automotive, robotics, and mapping applications.”</p><p>The unit uses open source ROS and C++ drivers, and comes with Ouster’s Software Development Kit. Its ability to accurately sense its environment (down to distances of 0.5 metres away), combined with the NVIDIA processor and the depth camera also allows this machine to do something pretty extraordinary: It can recognise and land on a moving platform.</p><p>“That’s a very challenging problem to solve and requires not only specific sensing but also really powerful onboard compute. This drone can do it,” explains Corbeth.</p><p>Already, word about the product has been spreading. A number of units have already been sold to academic institutions for research purposes – and the team has been hard at work building and testing for the next set of orders (as seen below).</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1715268006509-shared-image.jpeg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><h3 id="isPasted">The Forge Connection</h3><p>Like all new products, the new drone required custom parts. We looked no further than <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/indro-forge-prepped-for-next-phase-expansion/" target="_blank">InDro Forge</a>, our rapid prototyping and limited production run facility in Ottawa.</p><p>Using state of the art additive and subtractive tools, the Forge team created custom mounts using carbon fibre and other strong but lightweight materials, while also ensuring the frame was robust enough to take on even the most challenging environments where these drones will be deployed.</p><p>“InDro Forge has been critical to the finished product,” says Corbeth. “We wanted a look, feel and quality that matches this drone’s capabilities – and InDro Forge delivered.”</p><p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1715268106286-R%26D+Drone+Custom+Parts.jpeg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3><p>We’re obviously excited about the capabilities of this new drone, and we’re not alone. Interest in this product from researchers has already been significant. In fact, we’re not aware of any other drone on the market offering this combination of specific capabilities.</p><p>It was that void – in concert with our partnership with Cypher Robotics – that led to its creation.</p><p>“InDro has always placed a great emphasis on the development of innovative new products,” says CEO Philip Reece. “We build new products at the request of clients and also develop our own when we see a market opportunity. In this case, the requirements for Cypher Robotics dovetailed nicely with demand for such a drone from researchers.”</p><p>Production of the new drone is moving at a swift pace. If you’re interested in a briefing or demo, you can contact us <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/connectwithanexpert/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>

An R&D Powerhouse

Unveiling the ROS-Based Drone

<h1 id="isPasted"><br></h1><section><p>When you hear the word “drone,” you likely imagine an airborne device the size of a hat box that uses propellers to fly and is controlled remotely by someone in the immediate vicinity, perhaps in a park or another open area. Recreational drones like these have become increasingly popular in recent years.</p><p>But if you expand your definition of drones to include all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ranging from long-range drones used in military applications, to transport vehicles, to insect-sized drones, their potential applications expand exponentially. Imagine commercial airliners without pilots, drones capable of transporting shipping containers like those now delivered by trucks and ships, or even tiny, dexterous drones that fly into narrow gaps like insects.</p><p>While there are many obstacles for developers to overcome before these innovations can become a reality, the technology is evolving quickly – much faster than you might expect. This blog discusses where the technology currently stands and where it may go.</p><h2></h2><h3>High-Capacity Drones: Autonomy and Engine Innovations</h3><p>Scaling up drones to carry larger payloads, fly at higher altitudes, and travel greater distances presents major challenges for developers. Currently, semi- and fully autonomous large-scale drones (classified as UAVs that can carry a payload of greater than 1320 pounds and operate at altitudes greater than 18,000 feet) are most commonly implemented by military organizations to replace aircraft piloted by human operators.</p><p>Unlike smaller counterparts that rely on electric motors, larger drones use more robust internal combustion or jet engines. Not just a matter of size scaling, this means enhanced efficiency, reduced weight, and optimized fuel consumption, while also delivering precision control crucial in moving large loads.</p><p>By removing the human pilot and the various systems needed to support him, most large-scale drones are lighter and are usually built from lighter materials like plastics or carbon fibers. This increases the range of the vehicle. It can also reduce engine weight without compromising strength.</p><p>This is especially true for high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones. HALE drones must stay airborne for extended periods, sometimes days, at various altitudes and temperatures, and are often solar-powered. They are ideally suited for reconnaissance. In 2021, the U.S. Forest Service began testing HALE drones to locate and fight wildfires.</p><p>However, UAVs that operate at higher altitudes have more difficulty dissipating heat in the thinner atmosphere where they fly. <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/blog/overview-pcba-manufacturing-processes-technologies/" target="_blank">Printed circuit boards</a> for larger UAVs require additional heat transfer and use additional metal to connect to heat sinks to maximize performance at higher altitudes. This must be taken into consideration at the design stage. Simulating heat generation, flow, and dissipation in the development process is a valuable tool for these types of designs.</p><p>In terms of operational control, remotely piloted ICE (internal combustion engine) or jet aircraft aren’t significantly different from their traditional onboard piloted counterparts. A human operator guides the drone from a station with controls and monitors that are similar to the ones in airplane cockpits while cameras and radar-based imaging systems provide the visuals.</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1714573625993-1714573625993.png" alt="Drone carrying package" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>“Flying cars,” or “air taxis,” are already a reality, with China approving the first self-driving air taxi late in 2023. <a href="https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis" target="_blank">Similar air taxis are being planned in the USA</a>, though they will initially require a pilot on board for safety.</p><p>However, a significant hurdle in designing UAVs for human transportation or valuable cargo lies in bridging the information gap. While current sensors can track weather conditions, altitude, and airspeed, they cannot do so with the speed and sensitivity necessary. Onboard pilots can sense subtle changes in an aircraft’s behavior intuitively, a nuance challenging to replicate with sensors. By 2030, 6G wireless networks should significantly alleviate this issue by enabling ultra-low latency and improved data reliability, enhancing sensor responsiveness.</p><p>Lastly, many UAVs today boast semi-autonomous features like the ability to return to their starting point unaided. Autonomous or semi-autonomous flight software must be capable of dynamically adjusting flight paths in response to changing conditions, akin to how commercial airline pilots maneuver to avoid turbulence. This capability underscores the ongoing evolution and increasing sophistication of UAV technology in adapting to complex operational environments.</p><h2></h2><h3>Compact Drone Engineering: Revolutionizing Small-Scale UAVs</h3><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1714573626104-1714573626104.png" alt="Compact drone engineering" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>Every drone, from super large to shoe-box sized, relies on motors or engines to propel itself. In contrast to making drones larger, which requires increasing their power while reducing their overall weight, making them smaller necessitates removing motors altogether.</p><p>Using actuators to mimic how an insect flaps its wings plays a role in “micro drone” design. Early versions of this technology used ceramic materials to conduct and store electricity, but their inherent fragility made them unsuitable for repeated use.</p><p>The most recent innovations implement soft actuators composed of rubber cylinders surrounded by carbon nanotubes. Applying voltage causes the rubber cylinders to expand and contract repetitively and at high frequency (as much as 500 times per second), causing the drone “wings” to flap up and down.</p><p>These tiny drones, with their soft actuators, are resilient and capable of withstanding mid-air collisions, making them suitable for various tasks, including agricultural monitoring and pollination. Future uses may include structural inspection, search and rescue, surveillance, and data collection.</p><p><a href="https://www.macrofab.com/prototyping/" target="_blank">PCB designs</a> for smaller, more malleable devices have to consider factors like weight, rigidity, and resistance to impact and vibration. As in the case of larger UAVs, software simulation to test mechanical reliability in smaller UAVs is a valuable development tool.</p><h2></h2><h3>The Future of UAVs Great and Small</h3><p>In the future, UAV commercial passenger flights or large material transport using entirely autonomous flights still have some design challenges to overcome. Regulations, however, are more likely to hinder their long-term progress. Like self-driving cars, the adjustment period will require examining and discussing the risks and rationale of flying without a human pilot, with safety always taking precedence.</p><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1714573626041-1714573626041.png" alt="Uav future" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><p>On a smaller scale, however, UAVs may have more immediate practical applications. With micro drones with cameras that relay images back to a human operator, inspecting intricate mechanisms is possible in small spaces that are otherwise impossible to reach without dismantling the entire mechanism, such as industrial motors or airplane engines. Drones can even be used during natural disasters to locate missing or injured people who cannot be reached by rescue workers.</p><p>As UAVs shrink and grow, it will alter how we define them. Along with providing previously difficult-to-obtain images and delivering small payloads, UAVs will become a practical and labor-saving alternative to traditional means of transportation, cultivation, and commerce.</p></section><h3>Need UAV PCBAs Manufactured?</h3><p><a href="https://www.macrofab.com/pcba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out MacroFab’s PCBA production services</a></p>

UAV technology continues to expand and become increasingly sophisticated. 

The Future of UAV Design: Very Big and Very Small

<p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lQNz_WEl2vQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe></span></p><div data-id="9908f31" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>Materials for a sustainable future</h2></div><div data-id="69b735e" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"><p>As an interdisciplinary research institute, <strong><a href="https://www.empa.ch/" target="_blank">Empa</a>&nbsp;</strong>sets standards in the field of sustainable and resilient solutions. Its mission is to turn away from a throw-away society and towards a circular economy – to ensure a greener future for our planet. The Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics, a department of Empa, focuses in part on the development of flying robot platforms.</p><div data-id="371df47" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>Fire operations with drone technology</h2><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwODMzOTE1MjQ5LUVNUEFfZmluYWxfZmlyZWRyb25lLmpwZy53ZWJwIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Equipped with an infrared and a RGB camera, the fire drone is sending video data directly from the danger zone.</span></span></span></p></div><div data-id="a4a60e8" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"><p>"Every day, firefighters risk their lives going into unknown environment", says David Häusermann. The research engineer and his team spent around six months developing, constructing, and testing a fire drone. The drone is intended as reconnaissance equipment from a safe distance, literally providing a picture of the danger zone – by means of an infrared sensor as well as a conventional RGB camera. In this way, risks can be minimized and efficiency increased during firefighting operations.</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwODMzOTYzNDUzLTE3MTA4MzM5NjM0NTMucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Laser sintered on the Sintratec S2 system: components for the fire drone – for example the mounting frames of the polyamide aerogel shell.</span></span></span></p><div data-id="66f7fc8" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>Tolerating extreme temperatures</h2><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwODM0MDA2OTkwLWNoZWNraW5nX2ludGVybmFscy5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">It took six months from design to building the final prototype of the drone.</span></span></span></p></div><div data-id="bc27b16" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"><p>Usually, drones are not designed to function in extreme temperatures. The used materials tend to melt or even burn. "For the prototype of the fire drone we had to search for materials that could withstand high temperatures up to 200°C", David emphasizes. Thus, in cooperation with materials scientists at Empa, a polyimide aerogel heat shield was developed to effectively protect the drone’s internal electronics.</p><div data-id="af667bd" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>Too hot for FDM 3D printing</h2><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwODM0MDU5NDQwLWNvbXBhcmluZ19wcmludHF1YWxpdHktU0xTX0ZETS5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">FDM components used at the beginning had to be replaced by SLS parts due to the high material requirements and heat resistance.</span></span></span></p></div><div data-id="5c13cdf" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"><p>Additive manufacturing technologies such as FDM (fused deposition modeling) were used during the development phase as they offer great design freedom. Later in the project, the FDM components had to be replaced by laser-sintered <strong><a href="https://sintratec.com/pa12" target="_blank">PA12</a></strong> elements due to their improved accuracy, material quality and temperature resistance. Compared to the FDM technology, SLS offers another benefit of eliminating the need for support structures during printing.</p><div data-id="738f8b9" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default" id="isPasted"><h2>SLS parts prove themselves</h2></div><div data-id="8731b84" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"><p>The 3D printed parts sponsored by <strong><a href="https://sintratec.com/" target="_blank">Sintratec</a>&nbsp;</strong>were used for the mounting frames of the aerogel shell, fixing points for electronic components, clamps for the rotor arms, and the gearbox housings. "The parts Sintratec provided to us fulfilled all of our project requirements and performed as expected when tested in real-life conditions," explains David enthusiastically. For the engineer it is clear: «the SLS technology and its excellent material properties are perfect for drone construction – high quality, robust and heat resistant parts.»</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 768px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwODM0MDg3Mjc1LTE3MTA4MzQwODcyNzUucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">The housings of the motors and mounting clamps for the rotor arms are also made of strong and lightweight PA12.</span></span></span></p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwODM0MTE0MjI5LTE3MTA4MzQxMTQyMjkucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p></div></div></div></div></div>

Equipped with an infrared and a RGB camera, the fire drone is sending video data directly from the danger zone.

The Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics of the Swiss Empa institute develops a special drone for firefighting operations. Lightweight, stable and temperature resistant parts manufactured with SLS 3D printing is the key to success.

Baptism of fire for Sintratec SLS 3D parts

<p>Drone delivery represents a groundbreaking shift in logistics, intertwining technology with the everyday need for fast, efficient package delivery. This innovation has spurred anticipation and speculation about its potential to revolutionize the delivery landscape, promising speed and convenience previously unimaginable. Yet, the path to its realization is paved with challenges and triumphs, reflecting a continuous technological evolution and adaptation journey.</p><h2 id="isPasted">Historical Barriers to Drone Delivery</h2><h3>Regulatory Challenges</h3><p>Aviation laws crafted for manned aircraft did not foresee the rise of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has resulted in a regulatory landscape ill-prepared for drones' unique demands and operational characteristics. The variations in these regulations across different countries and regions further complicated the picture. In some areas, strict airspace control and stringent UAV regulations severely limited the operational freedom necessary for commercial drone delivery, leading to a slower pace of adoption and innovation.</p><p>These regulations often required extensive navigation through bureaucratic channels, delaying pilot programs and full-scale implementations. The struggle to fit the square peg of drone delivery into the round hole of traditional aviation regulations has been a defining aspect of its early development stages.</p><h3>Technical Limitations</h3><p>In their nascent stages, drones were plagued by restricted battery life, limiting their range and endurance. Early navigation systems were rudimentary, lacking the sophistication needed for precise, reliable delivery operations. Payload capacity was another critical issue, as initial drones could carry only minimal weight, rendering them impractical for most commercial delivery applications. Control mechanisms were also in their infancy, lacking the advanced features necessary for smooth and autonomous operation in varied environments.</p><p>These technical barriers impeded the practical application of drone delivery and posed questions about the reliability and efficiency of such a system in a real-world logistics scenario. Overcoming these hurdles required concerted efforts in research and development, pushing the boundaries of what was technically feasible.</p><h3>Safety and Privacy Concerns</h3><p>Safety and privacy concerns were at the forefront of drone delivery during the initial phases. Many people within the public and regulation boards were apprehensive of drones, envisioning only how they could lead to accidents and injuries rather than looking at the benefits. With fears of malfunctioning systems leading to collision damage and privacy concerns around unwarranted surveillance and intrusion, it was clear drones had obstacles to pass before they would be widely adopted.</p><p>These concerns were not untrue, as early models definitely lacked the sophisticated safety and privacy protocols that are now in development. This apprehension was critical in shaping public perception and regulatory attitudes toward drone delivery, often resulting in more stringent controls and slower adoption rates.</p><h3>Economic Viability</h3><p>Finally, the economic viability of drone delivery technology was a significant barrier to its adoption. The initial investment required for developing and deploying drones, especially given their technical and regulatory limitations, was substantial. Businesses and investors questioned whether its promised efficiency and speed could justify the cost of implementing a drone delivery system.</p><p>There were concerns about the return on investment, especially in uncertain regulatory environments and unproven technology. This economic skepticism was a major hurdle for early adopters and innovators in the field, who had to refine the technology and demonstrate its cost-effectiveness in a competitive logistics market.</p><p><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Miley" datetime="2024-02-27T08:42"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 769px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5ODE2MzA2NjgxLWRyb25lMi5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 768px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">A drone launches from drone delivery company, Zipline's California-based test facility By Roksenhorn</span></span></span></ins></p><h2> Technological Advances Overcoming Past Barriers</h2><h3>Advancements in Battery and Energy Efficiency</h3><p>One of the most significant drone technology strides has been battery and energy efficiency. Recent breakthroughs in battery technology have resulted in dramatic improvements in both the energy density and longevity of drone batteries. The result? Longer flight durations and extended operational ranges. This overcomes one of the primary limitations of early drone models.&nbsp;</p><p>The addition of alternative energy sources like solar power and hybrid systems has also opened up new possibilities for extended flight times. With these advancements, drones have become more practical for a wider range of delivery routes, including remote locations and those that require lengthier journeys.</p><h3>Navigation and Autonomy</h3><p>The integration of advanced GPS and more sophisticated obstacle detection systems has revolutionized navigation and autonomy for drones. With their state-of-the-art navigation systems, drones are able to precisely and reliably navigate complex and dynamic environments.&nbsp;</p><p>The systems have the ability to process vast amounts of data, allowing them to navigate around obstacles and adapt to changing conditions with ease. This results in a more autonomous delivery system that can operate successfully with minimal human interaction, therefore reducing potential human error and increasing efficiency.</p><h3>Safety Mechanisms</h3><p>The industry has responded to safety concerns by developing systems with advanced collision avoidance along with redundant design features. Drones have safety sensors and software that allow them to detect and avoid obstacles. They also have fail-safe protocols that kick in during emergencies along with robust structural designs to enhance durability. These improvements have played an important role in mitigating the risks of accidents and malfunctions while bolstering the public and regulatory trust in drone systems.</p><h3>Scalability Solutions</h3><p>With drone technology continuing to advance, scalability is becoming increasingly prevalent. Drone delivery is becoming more economically viable thanks to mass production and technological refinement. Advancements in the design and manufacturing of drones have led to cost reductions and improvements in their operational efficiency have increased the drone delivery value proposition. This scalability is an essential component of drones becoming widely adopted and transforming the logistics and package delivery landscape.</p><h2>Current State of Drone Delivery Technology</h2><h3>Latest Drone Models</h3><p>The landscape of drone delivery technology is characterized by a diverse range of models, each designed for specific delivery tasks. Compact and lightweight drones are being used for small parcel delivery. You’ll find them in urban areas where their agility and small size allow for efficient navigation through tight spaces.</p><p>Meanwhile, large drones are equipped to transport heavier weights over long distances. This showcases the versatility of drone technology in various delivery scenarios. Take, for example, the newest Prime Air drones, which are set to operate in select UK and Italian cities along with three U.S. locations by the end of 2024. The MK30, Prime Air's latest model, has been introduced as a notable addition to their fleet. This model stands out for its unique design and capabilities, positioning it as a frontrunner in package delivery drones.</p><p><span contenteditable="false" draggable="true" class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oy4GALqZlHA?&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span></iframe></span></p><h3>Infrastructure Integration</h3><p>The integration of drone delivery into existing logistics networks has marked an enormous leap in technology’s practical application. It takes a multifaceted approach, adapting to the current infrastructure and developing new systems designed specifically for UAV operations.&nbsp;</p><p>Logistics companies are experimenting with various models to accommodate drone delivery. This includes drone-friendly warehouses, dedicated air corridors for flights, and specialized launch and recovery systems. These adaptations allow drones to work to complement traditional delivery methods toward the goal of creating a hybrid system that offers greater efficiency and flexibility.</p><h3>Consumer Interaction</h3><p>A critical aspect of the current state of drone delivery technology is its interaction with consumers. Innovative solutions for end-point delivery include secure drop-off points where packages can be safely deposited for customer retrieval. There’s also precision landing technology to allow drones to deliver packages accurately to specific locations, whether than be in the backyard or any designated receiving area.&nbsp;</p><p>Customer interaction systems have also been developed to provide notifications and tracking options to enhance the overall user experience. The combination of these technologies addresses concerns around security and convenience while also recognizing the importance of customer experience within the broader adoption of drone delivery services.</p><h2>The Future of Drone Delivery</h2><h3>Expanded Regulatory Frameworks</h3><p>Regulatory frameworks are anticipated to evolve alongside maturing drone delivery. We can expect future regulations to be more finely tuned in accordance with the unique nature of drone operations. This will facilitate a more supportive environment for widespread use by developed nuanced airspace management systems. These systems will allow drones to operate safely alongside traditional aircraft while minimizing disruptions to air traffic.</p><p>We can also expect safety standards specifically tailored to UAV operations to address the unique risks and operational characteristics. These changes will promote a safer and more efficient integration of drones into the logistics ecosystem and provide clearer guidelines for enterprises utilizing them.</p><h3>Next-Gen Technology</h3><p>Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), are set to redefine drone delivery even further in the coming years. AI enables drones to make complex decisions independently, adapt to changing environments with more effectiveness, and improve their overall navigation capabilities. This could include advanced coordination in swarm deliveries, dynamic route optimization in real-time, and improved interactions with customers.&nbsp;</p><h3>Market Integration</h3><p>We’re on the cusp of drone delivery becoming a standard feature among various sectors beyond parcel delivery. In health care, for example, drones offer the potential for rapid and timely delivery of medical supplies. That could be emergency medications, blood products, or anything directly impacting patient care. In the food industry, drones could revolutionize how we receive our meals, offering faster and more efficient delivery services than traditional methods. The flexibility and speed of drones make them particularly suited for urgent or time-sensitive deliveries across many market segments.</p><h3>Global Impact</h3><p>The global impact could be particularly profound. The most significant benefit is the potential for enhanced access to goods and services. This is especially important in remote areas where traditional delivery methods are less efficient or even unavailable. This will lead to greater equity in distribution along with improved access to essential items.</p><p>Drone delivery presents the prospect of substantial environmental benefits by replacing or supplementing traditional delivery vehicles. They can help to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion, contributing to a far more sustainable urban environment.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p>Drone delivery technology is a pivotal point, poised to transform the logistics industry fundamentally. Its evolution, overcoming initial barriers through continuous innovation, heralds a future where efficiency, speed, and convenience are paramount. As this technology progresses, it will reshape how we receive packages and exemplify the enduring importance of innovation in driving future progress.</p>

Drone delivery represents a significant technological advancement in logistics.

Looking Up for Your Packages: The Evolution and Future of Drone Delivery Technology

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Unmanned and autonomous vehicles have revolutionised mobility and the evolving passenger car market, driving billions of dollars in investments to the sector. Even after a series of setbacks in customer adoption, everyone agrees that the future of robotics in autonomous vehicles is bright. It has a massive potential to transform the transportation industry by generating hundreds of billions of dollars and creating massive job opportunities.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">But the influence of unmanned and autonomous vehicles (UAVs) isn't limited to roads alone. Space missions, environmental monitoring, surveillance security and infrastructure monitoring are some UAVs’ applications. Despite their live-changing uses, the lack of interoperability between these advanced mobile techs and their disparate platforms poses a significant challenge to future adoption, hindering multi-vehicle, multi-domain missions.</p><h1 dir="ltr">Interoperability: Enabling Swarm Intelligence</h1><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">For UAVs, interoperability is defined as a system's capability to work with other systems based on standards or reference models. This concept is crucial for connecting multiple platforms into a coordinated vehicle network, commonly called swarms. Swarms refer to a herd of autonomous vehicles that function as a single unit. Swarms represent the next level in autonomous vehicle technology, as they can multiply the benefits in coverage, time, efficiency, and resolution. Its practical uses are experimented with in firefighting, parcel deliveries, and disaster response. These advantages, however, are only possible if every element of the swarm works in harmony.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 758px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5MDI2OTIxODA4LTE3MDkwMjY5MjE4MDgucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="624" height="475" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><span class="fr-inner">Quadcopter drone. Image credit:<a href="https://dronebotworkshop.com/category/drone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;DroneBotWorkshop</a></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr">The above would mean that interoperability trends must focus on better coordination among diverse robot fleets. These swarm-enabling technologies must be functional to make factors like task delegation, path planning, and autonomous communications among these UAVs seamless. This is what recent fleet management software advancements aim to achieve, enhancing communication between unmanned vehicles (UAVs) and enabling simultaneous control.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">In different UAV manufacturing sectors, the goals could be different. For example, robot-to-robot partnerships aim for cross-manufacturer cooperation in disaster relief and environmental monitoring. Cloud robotics integrates cloud computing, improving scalability and data exchange for multi-UAV systems. Integrating AI and ML equips UAVs with autonomous decision-making abilities, aiding adaptability and effective communication with other systems in dynamic scenarios.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Interoperability Trends</h2><p dir="ltr">The latest trends in interoperability focus on getting UAVs to work together seamlessly. Imagine a team of different robots, like drones, working in sync. Advancements in software design can help them communicate and be controlled simultaneously, regardless of their manufacturer. Another trend is UAVs that can autonomously communicate or 'talk' to each other, for example, teaming to handle disaster management or environmental tasks. Cloud computing is being integrated into robotics to further increase operations and data exchange scalability. Moreover, with the latest advances in AI and ML, UAVs and robots are being introduced to autonomous thinking to provide more efficacious responses in real-time scenarios.</p><p dir="ltr">One of the primary challenges in achieving interoperability is the development of standardised communication protocols and data-sharing mechanisms. Conducting research, developing standards, and designing frameworks is essential to ensure seamless data exchange and coordination among various systems, allowing them to operate effectively as a cohesive unit.</p><h1 dir="ltr">Welcoming Standards</h1><p dir="ltr">Like every new technology, unmanned vehicles require regulations and standards to control and integrate their operations into the existing transportation frameworks. In light of its growing popularity, governments worldwide are currently working on devising regulations and creating standard scenarios for UAV operations.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">Standardisation is crucial for autonomous vehicles, like drones used in disaster relief and environmental tasks. It makes operations safe and reliable and helps different drones work together smoothly. This way, accidents are reduced, and coordination is improved. It also helps follow the rules set by governments, ensuring responsible and legal use.</p><p dir="ltr">Standardisation and regulations will also aid in developing UAVs, ensuring that they are built to last, tested, and utilised in a way that complies with safety requirements. These regulations will also influence the design, deployment, and operation of swarm-enabling technology - a combination of hardware and software that allow multi-robot platforms to perform responsive swarming. The technology is just as important as the hardware used in creating these UAVs, as it is the main controlling agent between the swarm commander and the vehicles in the swarm. So, these technologies would be under even more intense scrutiny as the situations in which these UAVs would be used in are likely to be intense.&nbsp;</p><h1 dir="ltr">Challenges And Solutions To Greater Uav Use</h1><p dir="ltr">The absence of standardised protocols presents a significant hurdle: UAVs from different makers cannot collaborate effectively. This lack of compatibility hampers the engineering aspects of missions involving multiple vehicles and domains. It also obstructs the advantageous prospect of integrating diverse UAVs into a synchronised network. Consider large-scale search and rescue efforts, where numerous UAV swarms, sourced from various suppliers and groups, must cooperate seamlessly. Comparable scenarios arise in endeavours such as maritime cleanup, environmental monitoring, and delivery operations.</p><p dir="ltr">Another issue arises when a UAV communicating with one remote pilot station needs to shift communications to another station. Situations like these require new standards and technologies that are not traditionally included in older regulations. The primary and most crucial step towards interoperability is establishing unified standards for UAVs. Nations around the world have recognised this need, and they are gradually integrating standards and scenarios for UAVs into existing transportation laws. Moreover, a cross-domain command, control, and communications paradigm for heterogeneous unmanned vehicle operations must be established. This paradigm should connect platforms across manufacturers, architectures, and interfaces, enabling seamless communication and coordination between various systems.</p><p dir="ltr">Collaborative research and development efforts, establishing partnerships between industry, academia, and government agencies, investment in interoperability research, and training and education in this domain will be essential for addressing the technical challenges associated with interoperability.</p><p dir="ltr">These solutions are expected to reduce the costs and complexity of unmanned systems drastically, minimise compatibility issues, lead to successful cross-domain missions, and encourage collaboration and technology development. Greater interoperability is also expected to enhance the operational capabilities of individual UAV systems.</p><h1 dir="ltr">Advanced Navigation and Interoperability</h1><p dir="ltr"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5MDI2OTIyOTk1LTE3MDkwMjY5MjI5OTUucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="624" height="416" class="fr-fic fr-dii"></p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.advancednavigation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Advanced Navigation</a> is a leading provider of inertial navigation systems and GNSS solutions. The company operates in various industries, including aerospace &amp; defense, maritime, robotics &amp; unmanned vehicles, automotive, and mining. They offer advanced solutions aimed at enhancing the performance of autonomous systems through precise navigation and localisation technologies, making them suitable for applications like drone swarming, precision agriculture, and autonomous vehicles.</p><p dir="ltr">Addressing the issue of interoperability in uncrewed vehicle technology, Advanced Navigation recently unveiled <a href="https://www.cloudgroundcontrol.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cloud Ground Control </a>(CGC), an innovative SaaS product aimed to reshape how multiple users, vehicles, and domains can efficiently collaborate seamlessly across air, land, sea, and space operations.</p><p dir="ltr">CGC is designed to streamline the control and coordination of uncrewed vehicles, allowing pilots and mission planners to oversee a swarm of drones remotely via a simple web browser interface. This platform enables users to manage multi-vehicle operations, access real-time video feeds and telemetry, and efficiently manage collected data. However, what truly sets CGC apart is its capability to run sophisticated AI algorithms directly in the cloud. This enables functionalities like real-time object detection, tracking, classification, and thermal imaging, providing invaluable situational awareness during unfolding events.</p><p dir="ltr">One key application of CGC is in search and rescue operations, emergency response, and disaster relief scenarios. By offering complete visibility and control over unmanned vehicles in critical situations, CGC assists in making timely and informed decisions, ultimately saving lives and resources. Furthermore, the cloud-based nature of CGC ensures that essential data and processing power are accessible from anywhere, enhancing operational flexibility.</p><p dir="ltr">Advanced Navigation recently launched the CGConnect cellular micro-modem. This device utilises 4G/5G networks to connect UAVs and robotic vehicles to the CGC platform. CGConnect enables live streaming, remote command and control, and AI-powered data analysis through a web browser. It serves as a bridge, securely connecting vehicles regardless of their manufacturer or model, effectively creating a unified autonomous fleet capable of functioning across different domains.</p><p dir="ltr">To maintain interoperability among various autonomous vehicles, CGConnect is designed with adherence to industry standards. The platform operates as an open environment, unrestricted by the constraints of manufacturer-specific software. This feature unlocks a world of possibilities for enterprises seeking to manage diverse autonomous vehicles within their fleets. High-grade safeguards against data breaches and vulnerabilities and compliance obligations are maintained, allowing users to operate confidently within established regulations. The integration of edge AI further enhances CGConnect's capabilities, enabling intensive object identification and classification directly on the vehicle, a crucial feature for dynamic missions.</p><h1 dir="ltr">Future Challenges And Opportunities</h1><p dir="ltr">The major foreseeable challenges in interoperability lie with cybersecurity, scalability, cross-domain standardisation, integration of legacy systems, and customisation and flexibility of UAV systems. Increased connectivity and data exchange will make systems more prone to hacking. Hence, robust data security systems will be essential. Scalability concerns will arise as the number of UAVs grows, and managing and coordinating swarms will become more complex. Other challenges include adopting the same standards across different industries and integrating them into legacy systems. Lastly, with an increased demand for standardisation, it will become difficult for manufacturers to add customisation and innovation to their products.</p><h1 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h1><p dir="ltr">As autonomous unmanned vehicles (UAVs) shape the future of uncrewed expeditions, the keys to unlocking their full potential lie in advanced interoperability, autonomy, and command systems. Realisation of such advanced systems requires standardised communication protocols, ingenious data-sharing mechanisms, and collective endeavours by stakeholders. Amid this crescendo, Advanced Navigation's Cloud Ground Control (CGC) emerges as a pioneering solution to interoperability in UAV systems by transcending limitations and creating an open platform for diverse vehicles. With the integration of AI, ML, and cloud computing, CGC propels UAV operations towards a new era of collaborative and enhanced capabilities, carving a brighter horizon for the domain of autonomous vehicles.</p><p dir="ltr">This article was contributed by <span translate="no" tabindex="-1"><span name="Mayor Philemon (Google Docs)" data-hovercard-id="comments-noreply@docs.google.com" data-hovercard-owner-id="97">Philemon <span translate="no" tabindex="-1" id="isPasted"><span name="Mayor Philemon (Google Docs)" data-hovercard-id="comments-noreply@docs.google.com" data-hovercard-owner-id="97">Mayor and Fatima Khalid.</span></span></span></span></p><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">References</h2><p dir="ltr" id="isPasted">ASTM, 2022.&nbsp;Standard Specification for UAS Traffic Management (UTM) UAS Service Supplier (USS) Interoperability.&nbsp;[Online]. Available at:&nbsp;https://www.astm.org/f3548-21.html</p><p dir="ltr">Interoperability Definition. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/searchapparchitecture/definition/interoperability#:~:text=Interoperability%20refers%20to%20the%20degree,transmission%20and%20cross%2Dorganizational%20collaboration</p><p dir="ltr">EU, 2017. Deployable SAR Integrated Chain with Unmanned Systems. [Online]. Available at: <a href="https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/92979-unmanned-vehicles-to-the-rescue" target="_blank">https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/92979-unmanned-vehicles-to-the-rescue</a></p><p dir="ltr">EU, 2018.&nbsp;Smart UNattended airborne sensor Network for detection of vessels used for cross-border crime and irregular entry.&nbsp;[Online]. Available at:&nbsp;https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/313243</p><p dir="ltr">Intelligence, M., 2022.&nbsp;Mordor Intelligence.&nbsp;[Online]. Available at:&nbsp;https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/unmanned-systems-market</p><p dir="ltr">Kim Mathiassen, F. E. S. P. B. A. T. G. D. C. M. B. J. G. R. K. T. N. J. R. J. P. a. A. V., 2021. Demonstrating interoperability between unmanned ground systems and command and control systems.&nbsp;International Journal of Intelligent Defence Support Systems,&nbsp;pp. 100-129.</p><p dir="ltr">LSTS, 2015.&nbsp;SEAGULL.&nbsp;[Online]. Available at:&nbsp;https://lsts.fe.up.pt/project/seagull</p><p dir="ltr">MassRobotics, 2021. Autonomous Mobile Robot Standards Published by MassRobotics. [Online] Available at: https://www.massrobotics.org/autonomous-mobile-robot-standards-published-by-massrobotics/</p>

Swarm of micro air vehicles create a network (SMAVNET)

Unmanned and autonomous vehicles are transforming mobility across various sectors by attracting significant investment and promising economic growth, despite challenges in interoperability and customer adoption.

The Future of Unmanned And Autonomous Vehicles: Advanced Interoperability, Autonomy, And Command & Control Systems

<p id="isPasted">This job, on occasion, stinks.</p><p>But it’s all in a day’s work for <a href="https://aerometrix.ca/" target="_blank">Aerometrix</a>, Canada’s only company specialising in methane detection using drones. It’s not the methane itself that smells – it’s actually an odourless gas – but it’s the locations where methane can be emitted.</p><p>Imagine flying a massive landfill on a hot day in California.&nbsp;Further imagine that, in order to keep the dust down, the landfill operators have recently sprayed the location with leachate – the slimy runoff juice created by the landfill itself. It’s very biologically active, and it smells really bad.</p><p>“It’s horrendous – horrible,” chuckles Eric Saczuk, who often carries out the complex flights.</p><p>“It just ends up just suffusing through you and anything that you’re wearing. It even seems like it goes into your skin.”</p><p>Thankfully, not all missions are like that. But all of them do achieve results.</p><p>And now, for multiple reasons, Aerometrix is poised to be taking on many more of them – branching out into detection at oil and gas refineries.</p><p><em>Below: Flight Operations Lead Eric Saczuk prepares for an Aerometrix flight</em></p><p><em><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA2MjA1NTM0ODQwLU1pY3Jvc29mdFRlYW1zLWltYWdlLTUtMi1qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Flight Operations"></em><br></p><h3 id="isPasted">Why Methane Detection?</h3><p>When it comes to climate change, methane is an invisible threat. Though we often hear about CO<sub>2</sub>emissions, methane is a serious problem when it comes to greenhouse gases.</p><p>“Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere,” <a href="https://www.edf.org/climate/methane-crucial-opportunity-climate-fight" target="_blank">states the Environmental Defense Fund</a>.</p><p>“Even though CO<sub>2</sub> has a longer-lasting effect, methane sets the pace for warming in the near term.”</p><p>So there’s increasing urgency to detect and mitigate methane emissions. At landfills, for example, once the emission points are detected, the gas can be trapped – and even used to generate electricity.</p><p>“The main emphasis recently has been on landfills, both in Canada and the US,” explains Aerometrix Co-Founder Philip Reece. “We flew 16 missions over the last 12 months.”</p><p>And these missions aren’t simply popping a drone up for a brief flight. Nor are they automated. Every Aerometrix flight has to be carried out manually.</p><p>“Over large sites like the Vancouver landfill, that took us three days of flying, six hours a day,” says Saczuk. “We fly these missions at five metres above the ground – and there’s lots of things that can get in the way at that level.”</p><p>Aerometrix flights deploy either the DJI M300 or M350 drone. But the secret sauce is not so much the drone as the sensors. (And it’s most certainly not the leachate.)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Sensors</h3><p>Aerometrix deploys two different sensors to detect methane. One of them is called an Open Path Laser Spectrometer (OPLS), developed by NASA for use on the Mars Rover. It was designed to detect trace gases. In the case of methane detection, the laser is tuned to a specific frequency that is absorbed when it encounters that particular gas. The greater the absorption, the higher the methane concentration.</p><p>The sensor requires “clean air” for accurate readings – meaning there can’t be any prop wash or turbulence caused by the drone itself. Aerometrix engineers built a brace that holds the sensor well forward of the drone for this purpose. Having that sensor and rod, of course, upsets the balance of the drone. In fact, Saczuk estimates the weight of the rod and sensor at roughly 800 grams, perched about 1.5 metres forward of the drone.</p><p>And while the flight controller is capable of compensating for that, Saczuk always performs a calibration once the drone is in the air.</p><p>“We take off to maybe three or four meters above the ground. Once the drone is airborne, we go into the controller and initiate the calibration. So the drone calculates its revised centre of gravity and knows what its steady state is. The two front propellers then spin a little bit faster to keep the nose from dipping.”</p><p>Flying manually, Saczuk uses Tripod Mode to limit the drone’s speed. The most accurate readings occur when flying at about five metres per second.</p><p>On an ideal flight day, there would be a steady wind at around eight metres per second. If the breeze is coming from the east and blowing over the landfill, this provides a couple of advantages. First of all, by positioning operations at the eastern end you can avoid most of the smell. But the real reason is because the drone will begin its flight in clean air not contaminated by methane. That will enable the methane, once detected, to really contrast with the surrounding environment.</p><p>“What we don’t like is no wind, because then the methane just goes up vertically and it’s variable – it just gets pushed around by a little vortices here and there,” says Saczuk.</p><p>The drone will make multiple passes (in this example, north and south) over the site. When the laser hits methane, some of those rays will be absorbed and some reflected, depending on the concentration. Flying multiple paths allows enough data to be gathered to create a visualization of methane in a vertical plane.</p><p>“<span dir="ltr">We’ll do this on the upwind and downwind side of the site as well as a full perimeter to understand where the main emissions source likely are,” he adds.&nbsp;</span></p><p>“We shouldn’t be seeing much methane on that eastern side, assuming the wind is coming from the east. And then as we fly the western edge, that would capture all of the methane that’s being pushed by the wind and that would be the downwind curtain.”</p><p>While Saczuk is piloting, there’s a second controller that displays the data. A Raspberry Pi onboard the drone takes the data from the sensor and merges it with the flight data from the aircraft. So Saczuk can see the invisible gas while piloting.</p><p>The goal is obtain a really good cross-section, as illustrated below. Feel free to try your hand at the equation.</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA2MjA2MjA4MzE2LUZsdXgtQ3VydGFpbi1zY2hlbWF0aWMuanBnLndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Site Cross Section"></p><h3 id="isPasted">Sensor Two</h3><p>The second sensor deployed is called a Laser Falcon. The sensor, mounting hardware and accessories will set you back close to <a href="https://shop.sphengineering.com/products/laser-falcon-methane-detector-bundle" target="_blank">$60k CDN</a>. It is mounted directly on the drone and faces downward.</p><p>In this case, the laser is factory tuned for methane detection – it is the only gas the Laser Falcon can detect.</p><p>"It's an active sensor that will detect the amount of absorption that's happening. The scattering of the laser in the air tells the sensor how much methane there is not at a point – but through a column of air."</p><p>In both cases, the data is crunched to make the invisible visible. The result is called a "flux curtain" or "flux plane" – with differing colours representing different concentrations of methane, measured in parts per million. In the graphic below, the greatest concentrations are seen in the middle of the image, just below the centre.</p><p><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA2MjA2Mzk0NDA4LTIwMjJfMDhfMTNfZjJfZmx1eHBsYW5lLTEucG5nLndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 302px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Flux Plane"></p><h3 id="isPasted">Poised for Growth</h3><p>In December&nbsp;the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced draft methane regulations. These regulations aim to reduce methane emissions by 75 per cent by the year 2030, when compared with emission from 2012. The focus is on the oil and gas industry.</p><p>“Oil and gas facilities are the largest industrial emitters of methane in Canada—they release about half of total methane emissions,” <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2023/12/draft-oil-and-gas-methane-regulations-amendments-published-in-december-2023-to-reduce-emissions-by-75-percent.html" target="_blank">reads the draft</a>.</p><p>“These releases occur during normal operation of equipment and from leaks. To comply with Canada’s existing methane <em>Regulations</em>, industries had to adopt practices to monitor for leaks and ensure that repairs happen to reduce the amount of gas intentionally vented into the air.</p><p>“Under the draft methane amendments, the Government of Canada is enhancing the emissions-monitoring requirements through a risk-based approach to structure inspections for fugitive emissions—facilities with equipment that has greater potential for emissions must undertake more frequent inspections. All inspections must be conducted using instruments with a standard minimum detection limit, and repair timelines will depend on emissions rates. Further, the draft regulations introduce an audit system, requiring one annual third-party inspection to validate company program results.”</p><p>In other words, it won’t be long before oil and gas facilities will need to bring experts like Aerometrix onboard to verify that the reported data is accurate.</p><p>“Lowering methane emissions from our oil and gas sector is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways we can cut the pollution that is fueling climate change,” said Minister Guilbeault in <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2023/12/minister-guilbeault-announces-canadas-draft-methane-regulations-to-support-cleaner-energy-and-climate-action.html" target="_blank">this news release</a>.</p><p>“As the world’s fourth largest oil and gas producer, we have both the responsibility and the know-how to do everything we can. At this time of robust profit margins and high energy prices, there has never been a better time for the oil and gas sector to invest in slashing methane emissions.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>New Investment&nbsp;</h3><p>In creating Aerometrix, co-Founders <a href="https://aerometrix.ca/company/#founders" target="_blank">Philip Reece and Michael Whiticar</a> developed a solution to a significant and largely invisible problem. Now, with even greater emphasis on reducing methane emissions, Aerometrix has attracted a major new investor.</p><p>That investor is Omar Asad, the company’s new Director. He sees great potential ahead.</p><p><span dir="ltr">“The cutting-edge technology utilised by Aerometrix is unmatched and has already translated into significant savings for clients,” says Asad. “What’s more, we offer both a much-needed and innovative solution – while helping to reduce methane emissions at a critical time.”</span></p><p>Asad’s investment, in conjunction with Canada’s impending methane legislation, paves the way for accelerated growth.</p><p><em>Below: Eric Saczuk points to the second controller, highlighting real-time methane detection</em><em><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1706206889738-MicrosoftTeams-image-1-2-jpg-2.webp" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></em></p><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3><p>Philip Reece, of course, is also the Founder and CEO of InDro Robotics. And he’s clearly pleased with both the investment – and the growth trajectory.</p><p>“Landfill detection alone has kept Aerometrix busy and profitable,” says Reece. “With the pending legislation we are poised for significant growth in the oil and gas sector.</p><p>“Not only is using these sensors with drones more accurate than traditional hand-held walk-arounds, but Aerometrix has racked up years of experience in turning our findings into clear and actionable data. This company, particularly with Omar onboard, is ready for the next phase of growth.”</p><p>Interested in learning more about methane detection by Aerometrix? Contact them <a href="mailto:Info@Aerometrix.ca" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

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