News

05Oct

Volz Servos’ DA 15-N Actuators Achieve 200,000+ Flight Hours in Aerosonde Mk4.7

The Volz Servos' DA 15-N actuators recently achieved over 200,000 flight hours on the Aerosonde Mk4.7 sUAS. Since 2010, Textron Systems Unmanned Systems division utilized the DA 15-N on the Aerosonde. The system supports US DoD ISR service contracts.  

Advanced DA 15-N

To date, the Aerosonde sUAS achieved over 200,000 flight hours using Volz Servos. For a large portion of those flights, Textron chose the advanced Volz DA 15-N servo to actuate the air vehicle’s flight control surfaces and engine throttle. The DA 15-N servo is a 15mm / 0.59″ wide “micro actuator”. It has a brushless motor and contactless, wear free position sensing. These features make the DA 15-N immune to wear, vibrations and shock loads. Volz designed the servo for use in harsh environments and for safety critical applications that require an actuator with high endurance. “Textron Systems Unmanned Systems’ Aerosonde SUAS success and significant in-theater-flight-time is a great program to prove the reliability of our servos,” said Phillipp Volz, Volzs’ CEO. “Textron Systems’ utilization of the DA 15-N servo is a significant contributor to the Aerosonde system’s best-in-class reliability and operational availability.” Volz products continue to evolve to meet the requirement of even the most demanding applications. Shop Volz line of servos and request your quote today at Unmanned Systems Source.  

About Volz

A privately held company, Volz Servos designs and produces advanced actuators in Germany. Volz provides actuators used in aviation, aerospace, robotic, automotive, and medical industries. Several global UAV applications choose Volz servos for performance, reliability and durability requirements.
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04Oct

Study Sets New Distance Record for Medical Transport via drone

Researchers from John Hopkins University School of Medicine recently partnered with Latitude Engineering for a very unique study. The goal? To test the viability of transporting medical samples across 161 miles of Arizona desert via drone. LatitudeEngineering's HQ-40 provided transport. The on-board payload system maintained temperature control throughout the three-hour long flight. This ensured the samples maintained viability for laboratory analysis upon landing. The successful mission also set a new distance record for unmanned medical drone delivery.  

Advanced report findings

A report, published ahead of print in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, June edition, gave light to some interesting finding. Accumulative evidence, investigators suggest, indicates that unmanned aircraft are an effective, safe and timely way to quickly transport medical samples from remote patients to laboratories with advanced diagnostic capabilities. “Drone air transport will be the quickest, safest and most efficient option to deliver biological samples to a laboratory whether it be in a rural or urban setting,” says Timothy Amukele, M.D., Ph.D. “We don’t need to fix 20th Century problems, such as no roads, poor roads or driving vehicles through crowded urban streets to improve patient care. Logistical inefficiencies are an enemy of patient care. Drones will take patient care into the 21st Century by making patient diagnoses quicker and more efficient.”  

Real world results

The study demonstrated real world long distance transport of samples involving several modes of transportation. The team collected 84 samples in pairs at the University of Arizona in Tucson and driven 76 miles to an airfield. One sample from each pair was loaded on the drone, which flew them 161 miles. Following the flight, they transported all sample 62 miles to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Finally, the team compared each pair of samples was to check for differences between the flown and not-flown sample. Results from sample pairs were similar for 17 of the 19 tests. Small differences were seen in Glucose and Potassium, which do also vary in other transport methods. We suspect the differences seen in this test arose because the samples not-flown by drone were not as carefully temperature controlled as the flown samples in the temperature-controlled chamber.  

Medical transport via drone

The aircraft used in this study was a Latitude Engineering HQ-40. The unique "quadplane" hybrid configuration of the craft enables it to take off vertically and transition to traditional horizontal flight. Due to its unique design, the HQ-40 can land in small spaces as well as fly efficiently between widely separated facility. This makes it a viable option for use at medical facilities. The flight team took numerous precautions throughout the test. A certified remote pilot controlled the aircraft throughout the test which they performed in restricted airspace at a military aircraft test range cleared of all traffic. The flight team controlled the aircraft via a radio link between the on-board flight computer and the ground control station. The team packed and transported the samples according to IATA guidelines. During transport, the samples were in a temperature controlled chamber designed by the Hopkins team. The chamber used electrical power from the aircraft to maintain the samples at room temperature. The device is lighter than an equivalent amount of ice, the current method of temperature control. Additionally, the chamber can warm the samples in cold weather.  

Building on previous work

Previously, the Johns Hopkins team studied the impact of drone transportation on the chemical, hematological, and microbial makeup of drone-flown blood samples. They found no negative affects on the samples. The test involved drone flight distances up to approximately 20 miles. The new study examined the effects of drone transportation over longer distances, more than 160 miles, and significantly longer time periods that require environmental controls. The team plans further and larger studies in the U.S. and overseas. “My vision is that we engage drone technology to fly over challenges presented by  self-limiting ground transportation systems,” says Amukele. “So, our hospitals will have diagnostic results far more quickly. And, when a first responder arrives to the scene of an accident, he or she will be met by a medical delivery drone carrying the correct blood product. Together, we will most certainly improve care and save more lives.” Authors of this study are include Timothy K. Amukele MD PhD, and Jeff Street, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Christine LH Snozek PhD and James Hernandez MD, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Ryan G. Wyatt, Matthew Douglas MD, and Richard Amini MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.

Peter Kovler of the Blum-Kovler Foundation provided funding for the study.

  Find out more about the Johns Hopkins study, here.
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02Oct

Inertial Labs releases Industrial and Tactical grade IMU-P, MEMS Inertial Measurement Units

Inertial Labs, Inc. developer and supplier of high performance Inertial Sensors & Systems, recently released its Industrial and Tactical grade IMU-P, MEMS Inertial Measurement Units. Since its introduction in 2015, the IMU-P received much acclaim as a MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit. The IMU-P's outstanding reliability and accuracy in challenging environments -- such as high vibration, rapidly changing temperature extremes, and tough mission profiles -- grew its success. In addition to selling as a stand alone IMU, the IMU-P is integrated into Inertial Labs' AHRS, MRU, and GPS-Aided INS products.  

Growing demand for industrial and tactical

In order to satisfy market demands for Industrial and Tactical grade Inertial Measurement Units, Inertial Labs released two versions of the IMU-P:
  • IMU-P Industrial, with gyroscope residual Bias error over temperature of less than 100 deg/hr (72 deg/hr typical);
  • IMU-P Tactical, with gyroscope residual Bias error over temperature of less than 30 deg/hr (20 deg/hr typical);
The IMU-P Industrial is an excellent solution for stabilization and pointing, where a very efficient and low cost IMU can be an alternative to FOG based systems for EOS stabilization and Line of Sight pointing applications. IMU-P Tactical is a compact, lightweight, and affordable solution with high performance gyroscopes: 1 deg/hr in-run Bias stability and 30 deg/hr maximum Bias error over its operational temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), and superior accelerometers: 5 micro g in-run Bias stability and 0.5 mg Bias residual error over its operational temperature range.  This performance, coupled with its small size and cost, gives IMU-P Tactical a distinct advantage over existing MEMS IMUs on the market. Both models of IMU-P, Industrial and Tactical output high precision Pitch and Roll with 0.05 deg dynamic accuracy.  

IMU-P applications

The high performance IMU-P works in various tactical guidance, navigation, flight control, stabilization, and pointing systems. Due to its high performance level, IMU-P provides an excellent alternative to legacy tactical grade FOG IMU’s providing advantages in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaPC). The device also supports the functions of existing IMUs on the market. For example, the IMU-P is configurable to have the same mechanical and electrical interface as the STIM300. Thus, it acts as a drop-in replacement to STIM300 for approximately half the price. Other publicly available and published protocols can be supported as well. This provides customers a lower cost alternative for their existing designs without additional development costs. "More than one thousand delivered is a significant milestone signifying product maturity and customer acceptance," said Jamie Marraccini, Inertial Labs’ CEO & President. "Inertial Labs continues to invest in the IMU-P and in our IMU-P based AHRS, MRU, and GPS-Aided INS products." Shop Inertial Labs' line of products at Unmanned Systems Source.
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28Sep

Hemisphere GNSS Debuts Next-Generation S321+ and C321+ GNSS Smart Antennas

Hemisphere GNSS announced the release of their next-generation, multi-frequency, multi-GNSS S321+ and C321+ GNSS smart antennas. Hemisphere made the announcement at INTERGEO 2017, in Berlin, Germany.  

Robust and reliable

Powered by the Eclipse P326 OEM board, the smart antennas support 394 channels. They can simultaneously track all satellite signals, including: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS. This powerful set of features makes them robust and reliable. S321+ and C321+ come standard with two long-life lithium batteries providing up to 12 hours of operation. The batteries are hot-swappable so operators can change them without stopping work, maximizing efficiency and ROI. The S321+ and C321+ combine Hemisphere’s Athena GNSS engine and Atlas L-band correction technologies with a new webUI. These smart antennas offer an unparalleled level of customer-friendly performance. Designed for the most challenging environments, these ruggedized antennas meet IP67-standard requirements. The S321+ and C321+ come in two versions, with 4G LTE optimized for either North American or international locations.  

Centimeter-level RTK

Powered by Athena GNSS engine, the S321+ and C321+ provide best-in-class, centimeter-level RTK. Athena excels in virtually every environment where high-accuracy GNSS receivers are in use. Tested and proven, Athena’s performance with long baselines, in open-sky environments, under heavy canopy, and in geographic locations experiencing significant scintillation is nothing short of cutting edge. “The S321+ and C321+ represent the advanced technology, durability, and ease of use that our customers have come to expect,” said Miles Ware, Director of Marketing at Hemisphere GNSS. “By upgrading these systems with increased functionality and management capabilities, we are offering unbeatable value to the industry.”  

Atlas GNSS Global Corrections

The S321+ and C321+ ship pre-configured to test-drive corrections from Hemisphere’s Atlas L-band correction service. The bundled solution provides users worldwide with an easy way to utilize Atlas, including Hemisphere’s Atlas H10 service offering 8 cm 95% accuracy (4 cm RMS). They also use Hemisphere’s aRTK™ technology, powered by Atlas. This allows the receivers to operate with RTK accuracies when RTK corrections fail. If the S321+ and C321+ are Atlas-subscribed, they operate at the subscribed service level until RTK is restored. The S321+ is the ideal positioning system for applications such as land or marine survey, GIS, mapping, and construction. Together with SureFix™, Hemisphere’s advanced processor, the S321+ delivers high-fidelity RTK quality information that results in guaranteed precision with virtually 100% reliability. Designed specifically for construction environments, the C321+ adds another system component that empowers heavy equipment manufacturers to deliver their own machine control and guidance solutions to their customers. The C321+ can pair with Hemisphere’s recently announced SiteMetrix™ site management software platform that helps manage all construction jobsite activities, including grade and volume checking.  

About Hemisphere GNSS

Hemisphere GNSS is an innovative technology company that designs and manufactures high-precision positioning products and services for use in OEM/ODM, marine, machine control & guidance, agriculture, and L-band correction service markets.   Shop Hemisphere GNSS line of smart antennas at Unmanned Systems Source.  
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27Sep

Accident reconstruction and drone applications

Documenting, investigating and reconstructing accident scenes is time consuming. And, depending on the site, it can also pose risks for reconstruction specialists. The work, though, is vital. The data gathered from reconstructing an accident helps officials identify what went wrong. It also informs future decisions to improve overall traffic safety. The pressure to clear the roads as quickly as possible following an incident, is enormous. However, documenting the accident is vital…and some can stretch over a considerable area. Photographing, measuring and capturing all the details using traditional methods takes considerable time and energy. So, it should come as no surprise that some public safety departments are testing the feasibility of drone use for reconstruction efforts.  

Accident reconstruction via drone

As technology advanced, the possibility of creating 3D models via drone became a reality. Currently, data gathering methods include a mixture of photography, laser scanners and total stations to produce a 3D point cloud of the site. And, it often requires personnel trained in surveying. Drones may help reconstruction specialists document incidents more quickly and accurately than traditional methods. One drone flight can collect vital image data. This image data, coupled with advances in photogrammetry software, is highly dynamic. Specialists can create 3D point cloud, a model, measurable orthomosaics, and detailed reports. And, importantly, all the data is there for further analysis.  

Getting ready for the real world

Recently, a number of public safety officials in North Carolina gathered to observe the possibility of drone use for accident investigations. The scenario played out at the  Buncombe County Public Safety Training Facility. The demonstration involved a head-on vehicle collision. Two reconstruction teams quickly jumped into action. One team was the State Highway Patrol Collision Reconstruction Unit. The other team was the Division of Aviation UAS flight team...using drones. The Highway Patrol team completed the reconstruction in 1 hour 51 minutes. The UAS team completed the same work in 25 minutes.  

Less specialization required?

Sophisticated flight planning software means there is less need for highly specialized training to document accident scenes. Processing the data after, is another story. However, in situations where specialized personnel are unavailable or unable to get to the scene, flying a drone over the scene and capturing important data is a viable option. The future of drone use for accident reconstruction is just in the beginning stages. However, the benefits of capturing information quickly, securing the safety of personnel and clearing roads faster means it is only a matter of time before drones are an important public safety tool.
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21Sep

Crash test dummy vs. drone

The push to create the infrastructure to support drone delivery on a massive scale continues. Of course, there are numerous challenges to identify and overcome before this is reality. One such dilemma involves the safety of people on the ground. Enthusiasts envision a day when drones populate the skies delivering packages, conducting public safety operations and much more. However, before this occurs, there is a need to address the safety of those on the ground. Currently, the FAA does not allow for unmanned aerial operations to occur over people. Clearly, this must change if drone use is to become part of everyday life.  

Bio-mechanics to the rescue

Virginia Tech’s injury bio-mechanics group teamed with its FAA-approved UAS test site to study the risks unmanned aircrafts pose to people. The injury bio-mechanics group has garnered much respect for their work evaluating injury risk within the automotive and sports industries. Areas studied, included: impact scenarios, potential injuries, design considerations to minimize injuries, operational limitations, and regulations to help prevent accidents. The team selected three popular commercial vehicles weighing from 2.6 to just over 24 pounds. In addition, the team setup a test dummy with sensors embedded inside the head and neck. The sensors measured the acceleration and force of the blows inflicted on the dummy. Then the team tested out various impact scenarios – head on and from above – and measured the force of those impacts. Standard benchmarks were applied to determine how likely the impacts were to cause severe, even life-threatening injuries. Of course, injury risk increased with the weight of the air vehicle. When dropped directly from above, the likelihood of the smallest craft causing severe neck injury was less than 10 percent. That risk rose to 70 percent with the largest craft. The drop tests tended to produce the most severe impacts. In deflection tests, the force and resulting injury were reduced. The study also found that drones which broke up upon impact, helped absorb some of the energy and reduced the force of the crash.  

Moving forward

The data gathered offers manufacturers insight as to how to design drones in a way that mitigates risk to those on the ground. It will also help inform future regulations of drone operations over people. These tests are just the beginning. There is a need to conduct more comprehensive tests. The team is already developing a broader set of controlled experiments to test the various ways drones and people interact. Read more about the Virginia Tech study.
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