Uncrewed Systems Technology 057 August/September 2024
- Intro - Evolution is the name of the game when it comes to eVTOL air taxis, airspace management, transponders and UTM systems
- Platform one: Mission-critical info - A sensor that detects its environment in real-time 3D, scalable chips for self-driving cars, superalloys developed by NASA that are opening up new opportunities for UAV and space design, a sensor with infrared imaging for remote crop monitoring, high-speed neuromorphic vision for robots, a lightweight single-photon airborne laser and enhancing underwater images with AI
- In conversation: Andy Lacher - NASA’s chief technologist for future airspace ops discusses the challenges of today’s airspace operations, which are human-centric and reliant on voice communications
- Dossier: Schiebel Camcopter - In late spring, the 523rd unit of the S-100, the product of 30 years of perfecting its design, left the testing line
- Technology focus: UTM - Addressing the difficulties of operating UAVs beyond visual line of sight using sense-and-avoid systems and broader UTM links
- Digest: Bedrock Ocean AUV - On a mission to provide high-quality oceanological data for its customers, this company decided to design and build its very own fleet of underwater vehicles to gather it
- Show report: Xponential Defence - Defence giants from around the world assembled in San Diego to showcase the best uncrewed military tech and systems around
- Dossier: Avadi Engines - A modern take on sleeve-valve engines aims to be the ideal choice for modern UAVs, with fuel and maintenance savings
- Insight: UAVs - Spotlighting the new breeds of uncrewed vehicles coming to the fore, from miniature photographers to gargantuan aircraft
- Product focus: Transponders - How these information-transmitting devices are being optimised for new regulations and UAVs
- In operation: Swiss-Mile UGV - How the founders made a robot able to walk, stand, grab and roll, fulfilling various on-site roles from observation to security
- Show report: Xponential part 2 - In the second half of our report on the world’s biggest show for autonomous systems, we take a look at some of the innovations and technologies setting the industry buzzing
- PS: AI fighters - Various types of AI are being applied to air combat systems and insects are proving a unique inspiration for swarm intelligence