Ben Fisher – Robohub https://robohub.org Connecting the robotics community to the world Mon, 05 Oct 2026 01:07:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 Tiny 4K Z camera could be the perfect drone partner https://robohub.org/tiny-4k-z-camera-could-be-the-perfect-drone-partner/ Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:57:28 +0000 http://robohub.org/tiny-4k-z-camera-could-be-the-perfect-drone-partner/

When we say drone, we ofter think of the flying platform. But that's just half the story. Drones are amazing flying tools because of their ability to position sensing payloads in the sky. Most operators fleets will depend on the camera equipment they prefer to use and the application they are using the tool for. 

One of the main problems with putting cameras into the sky via a flying platform is weight. The heavier the camera, the bigger the rig you need to put it into the sky. This is why GoPro have successfully surfed the growth of the drone industry because of their small, relatively cheap and lightweight package. But a new camera which has been founded by digital imaging experts have announced the Z Camera. E1 is the smallest 4K camera with an interchangeable lens system. Because it packs so much into a small package with an interchangeable lens system, it could fast become the perfect drone partner. It already has the drone community in awe. 

They have already surpassed a kickstarter campaign so if you're interested, you can secure an early bird price as soon as it's ready to ship later this year. 

Some of the technical specifications:

The E1 is Wi-Fi 802.11N, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Ambarella A9 image processor equipped. Easily capture cinema-quality 4K 4096x2160 video at 24 frames per second or ultra-high definition video 3840x2160 at 30 frames per second with H.264 compression. Advanced 3D noise filters using motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF ) technology reduces noise and jitter. This allows for incredible low-light performance with the camera’s ability to shoot at up to 102,400 ISO while maintaining high image quality, up to 6400 ISO. 

Additionally, the 3D noise filter actively removes ghosting and blurring. E1’s die cast magnesium housing is specifically designed to dissipate heat and properly support the high demands of the A9 image processor, making all of this technology possible.

The E1’s micro four-thirds lens mount can handle a wide range of AF (auto-focus) lenses available from brands such as Olympus, Panasonic Lumix, Leica and Sigma. It also supports a variety of existing MF (manual-focus) lenses. In lieu of bulky DSLRs, E1 allows users to travel with an arsenal of lenses to capture the highest-quality footage possible.  

E1’s advanced focusing technology allows for continuous autofocus in both photos and video. By using different sensitivity settings, it ensures that users will not lose track of a subject while filming. And for users who are traditionalists and prefer to pull manual focus, the E1 offers an intuitive platform, featuring an automatic, on-screen zoom preview for crystal-clear focus. 

Connect & Control

Our proprietary applications for iOS and Android, are already available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. These apps provide users the ability to control, live stream and manage content via their Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 4.0-enabled devices.

Users can leave the camera in standby mode and remotely power the E1, whether it's powered on or off, a feature not available with most other camera models. Once powered on, users can control and trigger the camera without physical contact. Furthermore, monitor and control your camera indefinitely by providing a direct AC power source.

The ultra-low 200-300 millisecond latency allows for easy streaming and seamless content downloads to any Android or iOS device, which makes an exceptional experience for capturing documentaries or shooting live events. A videographer can mount the E1 from the ceiling prior to the event using a standard tripod mount accessory.  Aftermarket accessories area easily added in a snap to the E1’s standard 1/4”-20 tripod mount.

Take Flight

Create beautiful drone aerial photography and cinematography. Pilots can remotely configure the camera without having to land it. This feature provides ease for travel. Users can power it on remotely and download content to a connected iOS or Android device, all the while it is inside of a backpack or pocket. 

Develop Your Way

Advanced users can customize the functionality of the E1 to amp up its potential than previously imagined through the open platform, I/O port and available software development kit (SDK), available in two levels.

 

]]>

When we say drone, we ofter think of the flying platform. But that’s just half the story. Drones are amazing flying tools because of their ability to position sensing payloads in the sky. Most operators’ fleets will depend on the camera equipment they prefer to use and the application they are using the tool for. 

One of the main problems with putting cameras into the sky via a flying platform is weight. The heavier the camera, the bigger the rig you need to put it into the sky. This is why GoPro have successfully surfed the growth of the drone industry with their small, relatively cheap and lightweight package. But digital imaging experts have announced their new Z Camera. E1 is the smallest 4K camera with an interchangeable lens system. Because it packs so much into a small package with an interchangeable lens system, it could fast become the perfect drone partner. It already has the drone community in awe.

They have already surpassed a kickstarter campaign so if you’re interested, you can secure an early bird price as soon as it’s ready to ship later this year.

z-camera_lenses

Some of the technical specifications from the campaign page:

The E1 is Wi-Fi 802.11N, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Ambarella A9 image processor equipped. Easily capture cinema-quality 4K 4096×2160 video at 24 frames per second or ultra-high definition video 3840×2160 at 30 frames per second with H.264 compression. Advanced 3D noise filters using motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF ) technology reduces noise and jitter. This allows for incredible low-light performance with the camera’s ability to shoot at up to 102,400 ISO while maintaining high image quality, up to 6400 ISO.

Additionally, the 3D noise filter actively removes ghosting and blurring. E1’s die cast magnesium housing is specifically designed to dissipate heat and properly support the high demands of the A9 image processor, making all of this technology possible.

The E1’s micro four-thirds lens mount can handle a wide range of AF (auto-focus) lenses available from brands such as Olympus, Panasonic Lumix, Leica and Sigma. It also supports a variety of existing MF (manual-focus) lenses. In lieu of bulky DSLRs, E1 allows users to travel with an arsenal of lenses to capture the highest-quality footage possible.

E1’s advanced focusing technology allows for continuous autofocus in both photos and video. By using different sensitivity settings, it ensures that users will not lose track of a subject while filming. And for users who are traditionalists and prefer to pull manual focus, the E1 offers an intuitive platform, featuring an automatic, on-screen zoom preview for crystal-clear focus.

Connect & Control

Our proprietary applications for iOS and Android, are already available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. These apps provide users the ability to control, live stream and manage content via their Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 4.0-enabled devices.

Users can leave the camera in standby mode and remotely power the E1, whether it’s powered on or off, a feature not available with most other camera models. Once powered on, users can control and trigger the camera without physical contact. Furthermore, monitor and control your camera indefinitely by providing a direct AC power source.

The ultra-low 200-300 millisecond latency allows for easy streaming and seamless content downloads to any Android or iOS device, which makes an exceptional experience for capturing documentaries or shooting live events. A videographer can mount the E1 from the ceiling prior to the event using a standard tripod mount accessory.  Aftermarket accessories area easily added in a snap to the E1’s standard 1/4”-20 tripod mount.

Take Flight

Create beautiful drone aerial photography and cinematography. Pilots can remotely configure the camera without having to land it. This feature provides ease for travel. Users can power it on remotely and download content to a connected iOS or Android device, all the while it is inside of a backpack or pocket.

Develop Your Way

Advanced users can customize the functionality of the E1 to amp up its potential than previously imagined through the open platform, I/O port and available software development kit (SDK), available in two levels.

 

]]> Europe agrees on regulatory drone framework to move industry forward https://robohub.org/europe-agrees-on-regulatory-drone-framework-to-move-industry-forward/ Sat, 28 Mar 2015 14:22:42 +0000 http://robohub.org/europe-agrees-on-regulatory-drone-framework-to-move-industry-forward/

There is not a week that goes by where regulation isn't a hot topic when it comes to drones. But for any regulated industry where technology is advancing greater than new rules can be agreed upon, it will undoubtedly cause a few headaches. This week closes with a very positive announcement from European stakeholders on the future of drones. During a two-day conference in Riga, the European aviation community found broad agreement on the main principles to guide the regulatory framework to allow RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) operations throughout Europe from 2016 onwards. 

The principles formed from this week are as below:

1. Drones need to be treated as new types of aircraft with proportionate rules based on the risk of each operation.

The provision of drone services must not be less safe than is accepted from civil aviation in general. The incremental integration of drones in the aviation system must not reduce the level of safety presently achieved in civil aviation. Although no-one is on board the drone, people in other aircraft or on the ground could get hurt in case of an accident or an unscheduled landing. The way safety is regulated must be proportional to the operational risk involved.

Rules should be simple and performance based, to allow a small start-up company or individuals to start low-risk, low-altitude operations under minimal rules and to develop, with light-touch risk-based regulation, similar to the modern product safety regulations applied in other sectors. Higher risk operations would be gradually subject to more stringent regulations or operational limitations. At the other end of the spectrum, where the operational risk is highest, such as with large drones operating alongside manned aircraft, the regulation will need to be quite similar to that applying to manned aviation, with strict standards on the design, manufacturing, maintenance and operation of drones, as well as on the training of drone pilots and maintenance personnel.

2. EU rules for the safe provision of drone services need to be developed now.

Safety rules, including on remote pilot and operator qualifications, should be developed at the European level by the European Aviation Safety Agency, building on the experience developed in the EU Member States. The essential requirements should be harmonised at the global level to the maximum extent possible, and full use should be made of the established cooperation in the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) and at ICAO, and should be completed by international industry standard setting bodies. Important efforts need to be put into resourcing these activities, especially JARUS, in order to ensure that the progressive risk-based approach is consistent with what is done in the rest of the world.

This basic regulatory framework should be put in place without delay, in order to help the private sector to take well-informed investment decisions, and to provide a basic set of rules for the many operators who are increasingly eager to begin providing services. The European Aviation Safety Agency should consult stakeholders by the middle of 2015 on the regulatory framework for the operations of drones and on concrete regulatory proposals for low-risk operations. By the end of 2015, the Agency will use the results of the consultation to propose a position on these matters. The proposal for the revision of the basic European Safety Regulation, which the European Commission has announced for 2015, should contain the necessary new provisions and essential requirements for the progressive risk-based regulation of drones, based on the Agency's recommendations.

3. Technologies and standards need to be developed for the full integration of drones in the European airspace.

The success of drone activities and safety regulations also depends on the financial effort to develop and validate key missing technologies and the ensuing required standards. Both industry and public authorities stressed the need for adequate investment in the technologies that are required to integrate drones into the aviation system – the SESAR programme. CleanSky and other initiatives should complete the SESAR investments. That would create spin- off benefits for traditional aviation and so frame the future of flying.

4. Public acceptance is key to the growth of drone services.

The respect of citizens’ fundamental rights, such as the right to privacy and the protection of personal data, must be guaranteed. Many drone services involve data-gathering such as filming, etc. The responsible authorities, such as the national and European Data Protection Authorities, should develop the necessary guidelines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the full respect of existing protection rules, including in relation to drones. Rules need to clarify what is acceptable and what is not, and they require to be properly enforced.

Drones may cause nuisances and negative externalities, such as noise. These nuisances need to be addressed, possibly at the local level, to maintain public acceptance.

Drones also pose potential security risks. The design of drones can and should take into account those risks by using methods such as cyber-defence or geofencing. However, the malicious use of drones cannot be entirely prevented by design or operational restrictions. It is the task of the national police and justice systems to address those risks.

5. The operator of a drone is responsible for its use.

When a drone service is delivered in prohibited airspace, in an unsafe manner, or for illegal purposes, the authorities should be able to act and hold the operator accountable. Where lacking, this will need to be clarified in national law. Moreover, in order to enforce responsibility, it will be necessary for drones to have at all times an identifiable owner or operator. The regulator should seek the least bureaucratic way to achieve this. For instance, the mandating of electronic identity chips on drones – “IDrones” – as is today envisaged in some states, could be formalised through a safety rule, which would contribute to the effective implementation of privacy and security requirements. Standardised web-portals in the Member States for the

registration of operators and their operations could be another solution. The involved authorities need to work closely together.

Drone accidents will happen. Member States should clarify the applicable insurance and third-party liability regime and monitor the compensation mechanisms for potential victims. The establishment of compensation funds to cover victims of accidents caused by uninsured drone users, as used in the motor insurance sector, could be envisaged. Reporting on drone incidents should be integrated into the overall incident reporting requirements. Systematic and coherent incident reporting will improve safety and will be instrumental for insurance companies in their risk analysis on which third party liability insurance premiums are based. 

Riga wasn't the only place where stakeholders have been making progressive steps forward with regulation. In Montreal, Canada, The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) held a symposium for RPAS delegates around the world. In the US, the FAA recently released an interim measure to streamline an exception which will grant operators permission to carry out aerial work, albeit, it is still restrictive compared to European policy. And finally in the UK, the CAA released the sixth edition to its policy on the use of drones. All round it's been a very reflective yet positive step forward to integrate commercial drones into airspace. 

]]>

There is not a week that goes by where regulation isn’t a hot topic when it comes to drones. But for any regulated industry where technology is advancing greater than new rules can be agreed upon, it will undoubtedly cause a few headaches. This week closes with a very positive announcement from European stakeholders on the future of drones. During a two-day conference in Riga, the European aviation community found broad agreement on the main principles to guide the regulatory framework to allow RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) operations throughout Europe from 2016 onwards. 

The principles formed from this week are as below:

1. Drones need to be treated as new types of aircraft with proportionate rules based on the risk of each operation.

The provision of drone services must not be less safe than is accepted from civil aviation in general. The incremental integration of drones in the aviation system must not reduce the level of safety presently achieved in civil aviation. Although no-one is on board the drone, people in other aircraft or on the ground could get hurt in case of an accident or an unscheduled landing. The way safety is regulated must be proportional to the operational risk involved.

Rules should be simple and performance based to allow a small start-up company or individuals to start low-risk, low-altitude operations under minimal rules, and to develop with light-touch risk-based regulation, similar to the modern product safety regulations applied in other sectors. Higher risk operations would be gradually subject to more stringent regulations or operational limitations. At the other end of the spectrum, where the operational risk is highest, such as with large drones operating alongside manned aircraft, the regulation will need to be quite similar to that applying to manned aviation, with strict standards on the design, manufacturing, maintenance and operation of drones, as well as on the training of drone pilots and maintenance personnel.

2. EU rules for the safe provision of drone services need to be developed now.

Safety rules, including on remote pilot and operator qualifications, should be developed at the European level by the European Aviation Safety Agency, building on the experience developed in the EU Member States. The essential requirements should be harmonised at the global level to the maximum extent possible; full use should be made of the established cooperation in the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) and at ICAO, and should be completed by international industry standard setting bodies. Efforts need to be put into resourcing these activities, especially JARUS, in order to ensure that the progressive risk-based approach is consistent with what is done in the rest of the world.

This basic regulatory framework should be put in place without delay, in order to help the private sector to take well-informed investment decisions, and to provide a basic set of rules for the many operators who are increasingly eager to begin providing services. The European Aviation Safety Agency should consult stakeholders by the middle of 2015 on the regulatory framework for the operations of drones and on concrete regulatory proposals for low-risk operations. By the end of 2015, the Agency will use the results of the consultation to propose a position on these matters. The proposal for the revision of the basic European Safety Regulation, which the European Commission has announced for 2015, should contain the necessary new provisions and essential requirements for the progressive risk-based regulation of drones, based on the Agency’s recommendations.

3. Technologies and standards need to be developed for the full integration of drones in the European airspace.

The success of drone activities and safety regulations also depends on the financial effort to develop and validate key missing technologies and the ensuing required standards. Both industry and public authorities stressed the need for adequate investment in the technologies that are required to integrate drones into the aviation system – the SESAR programme. CleanSky and other initiatives should complete the SESAR investments. That would create spin-off benefits for traditional aviation and so frame the future of flying.

4. Public acceptance is key to the growth of drone services.

The respect of citizens’ fundamental rights, such as the right to privacy and the protection of personal data, must be guaranteed. Many drone services involve data-gathering such as filming, etc. The responsible authorities, such as the national and European Data Protection Authorities, should develop the necessary guidelines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the full respect of existing protection rules, including in relation to drones. Rules need to clarify what is acceptable and what is not, and must be properly enforced.

Drones may cause nuisances and negative externalities, such as noise. These nuisances need to be addressed, possibly at the local level, to maintain public acceptance.

Drones also pose potential security risks. The design of drones can and should take into account those risks by using methods such as cyber-defence or geofencing. However, the malicious use of drones cannot be entirely prevented by design or operational restrictions. It is the task of the national police and justice systems to address those risks.

5. The operator of a drone is responsible for its use.

When a drone service is delivered in prohibited airspace, in an unsafe manner, or for illegal purposes, the authorities should be able to act and hold the operator accountable. Where lacking, this will need to be clarified in national law. Moreover, in order to enforce responsibility, it will be necessary for drones to have at all times an identifiable owner or operator. The regulator should seek the least bureaucratic way to achieve this. For instance, the mandating of electronic identity chips on drones – “IDrones” – as is today envisaged in some states, could be formalised through a safety rule, which would contribute to the effective implementation of privacy and security requirements. Standardised web-portals in the Member States for the registration of operators and their operations could be another solution. The involved authorities need to work closely together.

Drone accidents will happen. Member States should clarify the applicable insurance and third-party liability regime and monitor the compensation mechanisms for potential victims. The establishment of compensation funds to cover victims of accidents caused by uninsured drone users, as used in the motor insurance sector, could be envisaged. Reporting on drone incidents should be integrated into the overall incident reporting requirements. Systematic and coherent incident reporting will improve safety and will be instrumental for insurance companies in their risk analysis on which third party liability insurance premiums are based.

Riga wasn’t the only place where stakeholders have been making progressive steps forward with regulation. In Montreal, Canada, The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) held a symposium for RPAS delegates around the world. In the US, the FAA recently released an interim measure to streamline an exception which will grant operators permission to carry out aerial work, albeit, it is still restrictive compared to European policy. And finally, in the UK, the CAA released the sixth edition to its policy on the use of drones.

All round it’s been a very reflective yet positive step forward to integrate commercial drones into airspace.

 

 

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

See all the latest robotics news on Robohub, or sign up for our weekly newsletter.

]]> 3D Robotics launches app development kit ‘DroneKit’ https://robohub.org/3d-robotics-launches-app-development-kit-dronekit/ Thu, 26 Mar 2015 13:38:51 +0000 http://robohub.org/3d-robotics-launches-app-development-kit-dronekit/

3D Robotics has unveiled DroneKit, an open-source development kit for app development. This is a clear invite for the wider development community to build upon 3DR’s flight control software.

The SDK and web API allow developers to build apps for the air, ground or cloud. Exciting times for anyone who is a 3DR customer. 3DR’s main competitor DJI also has a development kit available for the developer community.

Benefits of becoming a 3DR developer include:

  • UNIVERSAL PLATFORM – Develop your drone apps for Android, laptops, embedded computers and web.
  • ROBUST AND POWERFUL – DroneKit builds on the work of thousands of contributors and years of R&D.
  • VEHICLE AGNOSTIC – DroneKit works with copters, planes, rovers and even blimps!
  • FREE AND OPEN – No contracts to sign, no hoops to jump through. DroneKit is available to all.
  • EASY TO USE – Set up and take control of your drone in minutes, not days.
  • EXTENSIBLE – DroneKit can be extended to handle additional sensors and actuators.

DroneKit features include:

  • Fly paths with waypoints
  • Fly in spline path with fine grain control over vehicle velocity and position
  • Have the drone follow a GPS target
  • Control the camera and gimbal with regions of interest points
  • Access full telemetry from the drone over 3DR Radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or over the internet
  • View playbacks and log analysis of any mission

DroneKit powers the most successful flight control programs in the world:

  • Tower (formerly Droidplanner), hands-down the best flight planning mobile app out there, was built on DroneKit for Android
  • Droneshare, the global social network for drone pilots, is built on DroneKit web services
  • Project Tango Indoor Navigation is built on Pixhawk, APM and Tower
  • IMSI/Design TurboSite aerial reporting app for construction

You can visit the dedicated website at DroneKit.

]]> Google scraps initial ‘Project Wing’ plans for new secret design https://robohub.org/google-scraps-initial-project-wing-plans-for-new-secret-design/ Wed, 25 Mar 2015 20:26:17 +0000 http://robohub.org/google-scraps-initial-project-wing-plans-for-new-secret-design/

The head of Google's moonshot lab Google X has recently announced they have scrapped the initial 'Project Wing' design, that they have been testing in Australia. According to Dr Astro Teller, the design was difficult to control and they are now working on a new design. 

Some features from the initial design:

  • Project Wing had a wingspan of approximately 1.5m (4,9ft)
  • Propulsion was driven from four electrically-driven propellers
  • Total weight, including delivery payload, is approximately 10kg (22lb)
  • The aircraft weight is 8.5kg (18.7lb)
  • Payload 1.5kg (3.3lb)
  • The aircraft was capable of VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing)
  • The hybrid design used the rotors for VTOL and hovering but used the wing shape for forward flight to maximise range and efficiency 
  • Payloads would be dispatched from the aircraft while in hover mode using a tether 

It is understood that the team have been working on a new secret design since they started testing in Australia. This new design is said to move away from the single-wing based approach. Google has been working on drones since 2011 so will surely have a number of different concept designs. However, the 'Project Wing' design we reported on is the only one we're aware of that made it to field testing. Dr Teller explained that the design didn't cope well in high winds and its cargo shifted too much when the wing moved up and down.

Former head of 'Project Wing' Nicholas Roy has said that delivery drones 'are absolutely viable, but there are a lot of technical hurdles that have to be crossed.' Nicholas Roy is a professor at the Massachusetts of Institute of Technology and says 'we are very much in the prototype stage.'

Google are not the only ones looking at turning delivery drones into a reality. Amazon, DHL and Chinese giant Alibaba are all working on delivery drones. Some experts predict that there is another 5 years of development needed before we see large scale deployment. 

 


]]>

The head of Google’s moonshot lab Google X has recently announced they have scrapped the initial ‘Project Wing‘ design that they have been testing in Australia. According to X lab Director Astro Teller, the old design was difficult to control and they are now working on a new design. 

Some features from the initial design:

  • Project Wing had a wingspan of approximately 1.5m (4,9ft)
  • Propulsion was driven from four electrically-driven propellers
  • Total weight, including delivery payload, was approximately 10kg (22lb)
  • The aircraft weight was 8.5kg (18.7lb)
  • Payload 1.5kg (3.3lb)
  • The aircraft was capable of VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing)
  • The hybrid design used the rotors for VTOL and hovering but used the wing shape for forward flight to maximize range and efficiency
  • Payloads would be dispatched from the aircraft while in hover mode using a tether

It is understood that the team have been working on a new secret design since they started testing in Australia. This new design is said to move away from the single-wing approach. Google has been working on drones since 2011 so will surely have a number of different concept designs. However, the ‘Project Wing‘ design we reported on is the only one we’re aware of that made it to field testing. Teller explained that the design didn’t cope well in high winds and its cargo shifted too much when the wing moved up and down.

Former head of ‘Project Wing‘ Nicholas Roy has said that delivery drones “are absolutely viable, but there are a lot of technical hurdles that have to be crossed.” Nicholas Roy is a professor at the Massachusetts of Institute of Technology and says “we are very much in the prototype stage.”

Google are not the only ones looking at turning delivery drones into a reality. Amazon, DHL and Chinese giant Alibaba are all working on delivery drones. Some experts predict that there is another 5 years of development needed before we see large scale deployment.


If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

See all the latest robotics news on Robohub, or sign up for our weekly newsletter.

 

]]> 3D Robotics announces ‘Tower’ to open-source community https://robohub.org/3d-robotics-announces-tower-to-open-source-community/ Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:16:48 +0000 http://robohub.org/3d-robotics-announces-tower-to-open-source-community/

3D Robotics, the largest drone manufacturer in the United States has announced it's latest version of the Flight Controller App 'Tower', to the open-source community. Tower acts as a powerful ground control station to command any 3DR-powered drone. Tower is only available on android at the moment and forms the latest iteration of DroidPlanner. 

Developers are invited to build new features into Tower or customize existing ones. 3DR will be the major contributor to the software, and will supply support for every issue and fix all critical concerns. 

This is what 3D Robotics Chief Revenue Officer, Colin Guinn, had to say:

"3D Robotics is a big believer in imaginative uses of drones for business and pleasure, as well as in ways that benefit society. By opening up our Tower programming interface to the public, we're giving enthusiasts and entrepreneurs the ability to impact those uses in a very positive manner, we're excited to see how people use their talents to improve and innovate on Tower."

Tower features:

  • Transmitter-free control: You can fly your 3DR drone with just a phone or tablet.
  • Create flights by drawing the paths on your tablet or dropping waypoints. 
  • Because we give you over 10 different waypoint types to choose from, you can create flights that suit your specific purpose:
  • Fly in smooth curves with spline waypoints.
  • Circle waypoints allow you to orbit an object and keep the camera pointed at it.
  • Region of Interest (ROI) points allow you to keep the camera centered on a subject regardless of the path you’re flying.
  • “Survey” will automatically generate the flight pattern you need to fully cover a region of the map.
  • 3PV™ Follow Me keeps the camera centered on you while the copter follows you as you move. You can also adjust the copter’s position while it’s following you.
  • Easily make 3D scans of large structures with our automated building mapper.
  • The one-button Dronie lets you quickly capture a one-of-a-kind selfie that reveals the scenery around you as the copter flies up and back.
  • Adjust parameters within your flight controller to get a custom feel.
  • Supports both copters and planes.

Owners of a 3DR product can download the app on the Google Play Store.

The open-source community are invited to learn more and contribute on Github. You can also find more information on the project at OpenHub.

]]>

3D Robotics, the largest drone manufacturer in the United States, has announced its latest version of the Flight Controller App ‘Tower’ to the open-source community. Tower acts as a powerful ground control station to command any 3DR-powered drone. Tower is only available on Android at the moment, and forms the latest iteration of DroidPlanner. 

Developers are invited to build new features into Tower or customize existing ones. 3DR will be the major contributor to the software, and will supply support for every issue and fix all critical concerns.

This is what 3D Robotics Chief Revenue Officer, Colin Guinn, had to say:

“3D Robotics is a big believer in imaginative uses of drones for business and pleasure, as well as in ways that benefit society. By opening up our Tower programming interface to the public, we’re giving enthusiasts and entrepreneurs the ability to impact those uses in a very positive manner, we’re excited to see how people use their talents to improve and innovate on Tower.”

Tower features:

  • Transmitter-free control: You can fly your 3DR drone with just a phone or tablet.
  • Create flights by drawing the paths on your tablet or dropping waypoints.
  • Because 3DR gives you over 10 different waypoint types to choose from, you can create flights that suit your specific purpose.
  • Fly in smooth curves with spline waypoints.
  • Circle waypoints allow you to orbit an object and keep the camera pointed at it.
  • Region of Interest (ROI) points allow you to keep the camera centered on a subject regardless of the path you’re flying.
  • “Survey” will automatically generate the flight pattern you need to fully cover a region of the map.
  • 3PV™ Follow Me keeps the camera centered on you while the copter follows you as you move. You can also adjust the copter’s position while it’s following you.
  • Easily make 3D scans of large structures with our automated building mapper.
  • The one-button Dronie lets you quickly capture a one-of-a-kind selfie that reveals the scenery around you as the copter flies up and back.
  • Adjust parameters within your flight controller to get a custom feel.
  • Supports both copters and planes.

Owners of a 3DR product can download the app on the Google Play Store.

The open-source community are invited to learn more and contribute on Github. You can also find more information on the project at OpenHub.

]]> Qualcomm acquires KMel Robotics https://robohub.org/qualcomm-acquires-kmel-robotics/ Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:18:38 +0000 http://robohub.org/qualcomm-acquires-kmel-robotics/

In Qualcomm’s quest to shape the future of robotics, the US-based semi-conductor juggernaut acquired KMel Robotics last week for an undisclosed sum.

Alex Kushleyev and Daniel Mellinger founded KMel Robotics in late 2011 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. The duo have become renowned for their flying quads, attracting Lexus as a client to develop ground breaking visual displays like Amazing In Motion. It is without a doubt that the pair have become experts in the field of hardware design, high performance control and complete systems capable of autonomous operation.

Their website no longer displays the catalog of research projects they have achieved, but displays this message instead:

KMel Robotics is proud to announce its acquisition by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. on February 2, 2015.

We are extremely excited to become part of the Qualcomm team and look forward to bringing aerial robotics to the next level together.

Alex Kushleyev and Daniel Mellinger

Qualcomm already has a research lab dedicated to experimenting with their proprietary hardware and software. One of their projects, the Snapdragon Cargo, is a flying and rolling drone that has been equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. The cargo also comes with it’s own integrated flight controller.

The Snapdragon Cargo houses a multi-functional computing platform that involves both hardware as well as software platforms. The low-power Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC makes use of multi-core processing, wireless communications, sensor integration, spatial positioning and real time input-output for a variety of drone applications.

Qualcomm has it’s own venture arm called Qualcomm Ventures, and together with Techstars, launched a robotics accelerator. Announced in October 2014, the idea is to fund and mentor approximately 10 companies each year to develop and accelerate the next generation of robotics and intelligent machines. So far Qualcomm has committed $1 million towards the program. We had a quick scan through some of their earlier portfolio investments and noted that Skycatch has also received funding from the venture arm.

We’re really impressed with the KMel Robotics team, and so look forward to seeing what they can achieve with the full backing of a company like Qualcomm. They will certainly have access to a lot more resource, technology and new toys. Keep those eyes peeled for the next iteration of aerial robotics coming out of a Qualcomm lab soon.

]]> What’s next for the commercial drone industry? https://robohub.org/whats-next-for-the-commercial-drone-industry/ Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:00:17 +0000 http://robohub.org/whats-next-for-the-commercial-drone-industry/ With the commercial use of drones to increase in the coming years, we wanted to take a look at where we are today and take a quick look at what is just around the corner.

As of December 2014, there are 442 operators approved for ‘aerial work’ in the UK. These companies and organisations have gone through the pilot training necessary before becoming certified for ‘aerial work’ by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). It’s a rigorous process where pilots are required to understand the essentials of operating in airspace, prove their skills as a drone pilot and follow the operational process outlined by the CAA. Once approved, a license is valid for one year and can be extended each year. Assessments are also necessary for each drone in operation. The main training grounds for drones in the UK are Resource Group and EuroUSC.

Below is a map of just 303 of the 442 operator locations currently with approval for aerial work (we don’t have locations on all operators for various reasons). These operators carry out a range of services to cater to the needs of companies both nationally and internationally. We don’t think it will be too long before this map is dense with commercial operators given the value drones can offer and the rate pilots are seeking their permissions.

Operations are restricted to ‘line of sight’ without an extended permission and most operations are limited to 400ft (which is just under 122 meters) in height. To give you a guide of how high that is, St Paul’ Cathedral is 111 meters and the London Eye is 135 meters – so the lower end of some of the tallest buildings in London. There isn’t much reason to go above this height unless the drone needs to cover a long range for instance. For operational purposes 400ft is mostly sufficient.

london-building-height

True integration into airspace won’t be possible until drones are equipped with sense-and-avoid capabilities. There are a number of technology startups tackling this problem and the latest to announce their existence is Skydio. They have just come out of stealth mode and raised $3M in venture capital. These systems require onboard sensors to acquire an accurate representation of their surroundings at all times and in all circumstances. Kind of like what we’re seeing today with the development of autonomous cars on our roads.

Saftey is the number one consideration for the industry. There won’t be a commercial drone industry unless we are able to operate to the same safety levels of what we expect from commercial airliner operators. But with everything that is going on in the industry (far too much to consolidate into this one blog post), it’s clear to see where it’s going. To summarise:

  • We’ve got a bustling commercial drone sector here in the UK, already catering to the needs of companies in many different verticals.
  • We have the framework and guidance from a fantastic civil aviation authority – renowned as a world leader.
  • We have well funded technology startups taking on some of the biggest technological challenges the industry faces.

It looks more than likely that there will be upwards of 600 commercial operators in the UK by the end of 2015. The CAA have developed a safe framework for the commercial drone industry to grow. With some fantastic technology advancements in the pipeline, it looks likely that drones will rapidly increase in reliability and versatility.

]]> ‘Quadcopter’ crashes onto White House grounds, poses security threat https://robohub.org/quadcopter-crashes-onto-the-white-house-grounds-poses-security-threat/ Mon, 26 Jan 2015 19:12:53 +0000 http://robohub.org/quadcopter-crashes-onto-the-white-house-grounds-poses-security-threat/

The White House was put on high alert today as a drone was flown at low altitude onto the south-east side of the complex. A secret service spokesperson said "An investigation is under way to determine the origin of this commercially available device, motive, and to identify suspects". It's been reported that the drone was a 2ft long quadcopter and wasn't carrying a dangerous payload. 

One reporter from The Associated Press tweeted: 

More than a dozen agents searching WH north lawn, w/ flashlights into the bushes pic.twitter.com/iSdknDcBBK

— Nedra Pickler (@nedrapickler) January 26, 2015

While drones are posing a security threat in the wrong hands. There are some simple ways to protect against the everyday off-the shelve drones that are available on the market. Two of the best ways to do this is 'jamming' or 'hacking' which involves intercepting the control links from the operator and either taking control or disabling the device completely. Another possibility is interference with the drones GPS receiver unit making it 'think' it is in a different location than it is. The final might be an actual intercept of the drone, you could possibly use another drone to do this therefore capturing any dangerous payload in the process. 

Alternatively, you can bring in tighter regulation for the manufacturers to control such threats and develop safety measures directly into the platforms. What today illustrates is that we certainly need to be considering the implications of not just how we can use drones but how we can protect against rogue drones too.

]]> The White House was put on high alert today as a drone was flown at low altitude onto the south-east side of the complex. A secret service spokesperson said “An investigation is under way to determine the origin of this commercially available device, motive, and to identify suspects”. It’s been reported that the drone was a 2ft long quadcopter and wasn’t carrying a dangerous payload. 

One reporter from The Associated Press tweeted:

While drones can pose a security threat if they get in the wrong hands, there are some simple ways to protect against the everyday off-the shelve drones that are available on the market. Two of the best ways to do this is ‘jamming’ or ‘hacking’ – which involves intercepting the control links from the operator and either taking control or disabling the device completely. Another possibility is interference with the drones GPS receiver unit, making it ‘think’ it is in a different location than it is. The final might be an actual intercept of the drone: you could possibly use another drone to do this, capturing any dangerous payload in the process.

An alternative is to bring tighter regulations that would require manufacturers to control for such threats by developing safety measures directly into the platforms. What today’s events illustrate is that we certainly must consider not just how to use drones, but how to protect against rogue drones too.

In the latest development, White House officials are reporting that a government employee has come forward to claim responsibility for the crash, saying that he lost control of the drone while flying it for recreational purposes. Follow more here, and on Twitter:


]]> Why drones are good for business https://robohub.org/why-drones-are-good-for-business/ Tue, 20 Jan 2015 19:03:11 +0000 http://robohub.org/why-drones-are-good-for-business/

Drones have made a huge splash over the last couple of years and grabbed a lot of headlines. This has mostly been due to strong consumer products coming onto the market from hardware manufactures such as DJI, Parrot and 3DR. This led to more and more companies looking into how they can use drones in the everyday life of their business. Here are two of the main themes illustrated below.

Media

Google released the top 3 tech trends for 2014 and it appears drones have been capturing peoples imagination. In November 2014, 800,000 hours of 'drone videos' were watched on YouTube. There is obviously a growing appetite for these kinds of aerial shots. It's no surprise when you look at short films like this one from Danny Macaskill called The Ridge. 

Drones have become the new tool in the arsenal of storytelling. It has become an affective one and from our experience, this demand continues to grow rapidly. One of the fundamental advantages of shooting production shots with drones is the context you can capture in a short space of time. Here is an early look at what the BBC News team thought after they first started using drones in 2013. 

As the demand for this content increases, it will become increasingly important for companies to use this powerful new tool to their advantage. 

Data

Drones are an incredible tool when it comes to collecting data. The fact that they can cover a large amount of space over a short amount of time is one key advantage of using them as a data acquisition platform. Companies are using them at scale for mapping, inspections, surveys and regular progress reports. There are 2 million km of roads worldwide, 100,000 open-cast quarries worldwide and 500,000 farms of over 10km² worldwide. Data on these assets collected by drones will revolutionise the way they are managed, ultimately leading to efficiencies and cost savings. 

drone-data-map

Acquiring the data is one thing but processing it and making sense of it is another. There are many tools on the market today and many more being researched and developed by university drone labs around the world. This video from 3DR illustrates what's currently available and how drones are being used in mapping.

The last 3 years has seen a rapid development in drone technology and we've only just scratched the service of what's possible. The technology in smart phones has driven the cost down of what was once only available to large corporations and the military. The hobbyist community tinkering with the technology in the maker movement formed the catalyst for large drone manufacturers to step in and produce products for the masses. The commercial space has grown rapidly in the last year and many more companies of all sizes have begun using the technology. 

It is important to understand the advantages drones can have in business. We've seen companies from all sectors using the technology via our network of drone operators. Often this is either helping them advance the way they communicate via visual storytelling or helping them manage assets more effectively. 

Finally, it is crucial to be aware that there are regulations that control the airspace in every country. Some countries have an outright ban on the use of drones for 'aerial work' so please check with your local regulators. In the UK, the regulator is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which outlined rules that govern the use of drones for 'aerial work' in January 2010. As such there is a thriving commercial drone economy here. We're very excited of what the future holds and look forward to supporting many more companies as they begin to use the technology. 

]]>

Drones have made a huge splash over the last couple of years and grabbed a lot of headlines. This has mostly been due to strong consumer products coming onto the market from hardware manufactures such as DJI, Parrot and 3DR. This led to more and more companies looking into how they can use drones in the everyday life of their business. Here are two of the main themes illustrated below.

Media

Google released the top 3 tech trends for 2014 and it appears drones have been capturing peoples imagination. In November 2014, 800,000 hours of ‘drone videos’ were watched on YouTube. There is obviously a growing appetite for these kinds of aerial shots. It’s no surprise when you look at short films like this one from Danny Macaskill called The Ridge.

Drones have become the new tool in the arsenal of storytelling. It has become an affective one and from our experience, this demand continues to grow rapidly. One of the fundamental advantages of shooting production shots with drones is the context you can capture in a short space of time. Here is an early look at what the BBC News team thought after they first started using drones in 2013.

As the demand for this content increases, it will become increasingly important for companies to use this powerful new tool to their advantage.

Data

drone-data-map (1)Drones are an incredible tool when it comes to collecting data. The fact that they can cover a large amount of space over a short amount of time is one key advantage of using them as a data acquisition platform. Companies are using them at scale for mapping, inspections, surveys and regular progress reports. There are 2 million km of roads worldwide, 100,000 open-cast quarries worldwide and, also worldwide, there are 500,000 farms that over 10km². Data on these assets collected by drones will revolutionise the way they are managed, ultimately leading to efficiencies and cost savings.

Acquiring the data is one thing but processing it and making sense of it is another. There are many tools on the market today and many more being researched and developed by university drone labs around the world. This video from 3DR illustrates what’s currently available and how drones are being used in mapping.

http://youtu.be/mugwIfZCG3o

The last three years have seen a rapid development in drone technology and we’ve only just scratched the service of what’s possible. The technology in smart phones has driven the cost down of what was once only available to large corporations and the military. The hobbyist community tinkering with the technology in the maker movement formed the catalyst for large drone manufacturers to step in and produce products for the masses. The commercial space has grown rapidly in the last year and many more companies of all sizes have begun using the technology.

It is important to understand the advantages drones can have in business. We’ve seen companies from all sectors using the technology via our network of drone operators. Often this is either helping them advance the way they communicate via visual storytelling or helping them manage assets more effectively.

Finally, it is crucial to be aware that there are regulations that control the airspace in every country. Some countries have an outright ban on the use of drones for ‘aerial work’ so please check with your local regulators. In the UK, the regulator is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which outlined rules that govern the use of drones for ‘aerial work’ in January 2010. As such there is a thriving commercial drone economy here. We’re very excited of what the future holds and look forward to supporting many more companies as they begin to use the technology.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

See all the latest robotics news on Robohub, or sign up for our weekly newsletter.

]]> Enter the abyss with OpenROV, the $899 open source kit https://robohub.org/enter-the-abyss-with-openrov-the-899-open-source-kit/ Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:08:47 +0000 http://robohub.org/enter-the-abyss-with-openrov-the-899-open-source-kit/

The OpenROV submersible is a low cost and open source kit designed for exploration and education. Originally launched on Kickstarter in 2012 it has now grown into a dedicated global community launching missions everywhere from Hawaii to the UK. The project raised $111,662 from 484 backers and has now reached version 2.7. Today the kit costs $899 with a fully assembled version coming in at $1,450 which you can purchase from the online store. Units weigh in at 2.6kg and normal battery life is expected to last between 2-3 hours depending on use.

Features include:

  • Live HD video with wide-angle lens and tilt function
  • LED lighting for low-light environments
  • Easy-to-use web browser user interface
  • Beaglebone Black AND Arduino MEGA microprocessors for a flexible and powerful developer platform with dozens of input/output channels and plenty of computing power for user-designed features and experiments
  • Rechargeable lithium batteries (sold separately)
  • 100-meter lightweight 2-wire tether
  • Compact and lightweight–backpack or carry-on ready
  • Payload area for additional hardware or equipment
  • Join our open source, ocean-loving community–find all the software and hardware files online as well as a vibrant and enthusiastic community to share adventures, ask questions, and meet other people with passion for exploration

With this piece of kit and your laptop you really can start exploring the oceans, lakes and rivers around you without getting your hair wet. The maker community around 3d printers, drones and robotics is the step we usually see just before the commercial applications – so watch this space.

To find out more on what’s going on with the OpenROV take a look at the community website called Open Explorer.

Here is a great video of a trial run with Nasa’s Astronaut underwater training facility NEEMO-16 back in 2012.

 

]]> Berlin hardware startup Skysense launches drone range https://robohub.org/berlin-hardware-startup-skysense-launches-drone-range/ Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:41:47 +0000 http://robohub.org/berlin-hardware-startup-skysense-launches-drone-range/

Skysense is a Berlin based start up designing and manufacturing a range of products to enable the remote operation of drones. Their first two products are the Skysense Charging pad and Skysense Hanger. 

- The Skysense Charging Pad is a charging pad for drones that can be remotely operated, it provides fast charging and wide landing area, it supports nearly all existing multicopters and VTOL aircrafts and it can charge multiple drones at the same time.

- The Skysense Hangar is a protective hangar to store and recharge the drone between flights.

These products are the start of the infrastructure needed if you are planning to maintain routine operations. Now Skysense have launched a range of multicopters designed for professional photographers. The SS700 hexacopter is the entry level model starting from €1,498. The SS750 Hexacopter is the mid level model starting from €2.998. The SS900 Octocopter is the top level model and starts from €4,498. 

To celebrate Skysense has launched this showreel


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Skysense is a Berlin-based start up designing and manufacturing a range of products to enable the remote operation of drones. Their first two products are the Skysense Charging pad and Skysense Hangar. 

The Skysense Charging Pad is a charging pad for drones that can be remotely operated, it provides fast charging and wide landing area, it supports nearly all existing multicopters and VTOL aircrafts and it can charge multiple drones at the same time.

The Skysense Hangar is a protective hangar to store and recharge the drone between flights.

These products are the start of the infrastructure needed if you are planning to maintain routine operations. Now Skysense have launched a range of multicopters designed for professional photographers. The SS700 hexacopter is the entry level model starting from €1,498. The SS750 Hexacopter is the mid level model starting from €2.998. The SS900 Octocopter is the top level model and starts from €4,498.

To celebrate Skysense has launched this showreel:

]]> New CAA rules govern use of drones in built up areas https://robohub.org/new-caa-rules-govern-use-of-drones-in-built-up-areas/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:42:49 +0000 http://robohub.org/new-caa-rules-govern-use-of-drones-in-built-up-areas/ Source: Wikimedia Commons

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced updated rules that will give operators an annual permission to operate in built up areas.This is fantastic news for the industry as a whole. It has come about with increased demand on the CAA from operators applying for permission on a case by case basis. Now, once operators have been approved for what is called a Congested Areas Operating Safety Case (CAOSC), they will be granted extra permission to fly in cities and other built up areas. For now, the new application process will only be viable through the CAA, until a new standard has been agreed for the process.

Operators with the new permission will be granted:

  • less restricted limitations; and,
  • and annual based permission (as apposed to a case by case non-standard permission)

At Book-a-Drone, we will be highlighting the new permission on our new operator pages (due for release in the new year) to help clients easily identify those operators with these permissions. It should speed up the whole process of booking drone operators and help clients understand the work necessary to operate safely in popular locations. By setting these expectations and allowing operators a framework to continue operating safely is a positive step forward by the CAA. It is unknown how many operators will be applying for this new permission but we anticipate most successful commercial operators will need this to continue growing their business.

It is worth noting that the definition of a ‘congested area’ is defined by the CAA as ‘in relation to a city, town or settlement, means any area which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes.’ This one could argue applies to the majority of jobs an operator is likely to receive from a client.

But we must not forget that this industry is still in it’s infancy. As technology advances, skills and competency levels increase and the public awareness of drone operations is wide spread we can expect that this sort of activity will become commonplace. These legal frameworks are extremely necessary for the UK and other nations to follow to allow us to utilise this extremely useful technology.

]]> GoPro to start making drones https://robohub.org/gopro-to-start-making-drones/ Thu, 04 Dec 2014 21:43:36 +0000 http://robohub.org/gopro-to-start-making-drones/

GoPro is to start making it's own line of drones and have them ready for release as early as Christmas next year. Early indications of price point range from $500 to $1,000 for the first model. It is understandable that GoPro would make this move as they're already heavily used in the industry with most entry level drones on the market. With the recent launch of the DJI Inspire featuring their own camera technology it would seem that it's a strategic move from both companies to develop their own proprietary technology to capitalise on the rapidly growing hardware market.

GoPro being a founding member of the Small UAV Coalition has demonstrated it's long term vision in the industry. With huge YoY growth reported from the hardware manufactures it seems that the California based camera manufacturer which recently went public is looking to own a stake in the fledgling market. 

 

 

]]>

GoPro is to start making its own line of drones and have them ready for release as early as Christmas 2015.  Early indications of price point range from $500 to $1,000 for the first model.

It is understandable that GoPro would make this move as they’re already heavily used in the industry with most entry level drones on the market. With the recent launch of the DJI Inspire featuring their own camera technology it would seem that it’s a strategic move from both companies to develop their own proprietary technology to capitalise on the rapidly growing hardware market.

DJI Inspire

DJI Inspire

GoPro being a founding member of the Small UAV Coalition has demonstrated it’s long term vision in the industry. With huge YoY growth reported from the hardware manufactures it seems that the California based-camera manufacturer which recently went public is looking to own a stake in the fledgling market.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

See all the latest robotics news on Robohub, or sign up for our weekly newsletter.

]]> £1.25M advanced drone lab gets the go ahead https://robohub.org/1-25m-advanced-drone-lab-gets-the-go-ahead/ Thu, 06 Nov 2014 19:06:56 +0000 http://robohub.org/1-25m-advanced-drone-lab-gets-the-go-ahead/

Imperial College London (Rob Sidall)

Imperial Collage London today announced it is to develop the UK's most advanced aerial robotics laboratory. The drone lab to be known as The Brahman Vasudevan Aerial Robotics lab will be two stories and constructed on the roof of the South Kensington Campus. The aim of this state-of-the-art laboratory is to become one of the UK's leading centres for aerial robotics research and development. It is predicted that the global market value of unmanned aerial robot manufacturing is to reach an estimated $US 89 billion in the next ten years. 

Mr Brahmal Vasudevan, an Imperial alumnus gifted the funds to build the facility. Dr Mirko Kovac, Director of the drone lab says: 'Aerial robotics has the potential to become an important industry in the UK, but we need world beating teaching and research infrastructure to make this a reality. Thanks to the support of Mr Valsudevan we will now be able to construct an outstanding facility, which will enable the College to consolidate its position in this field and foster the next generation of engineers. Ultimately, we are aiming to develop flying robots that could improve the way companies do business, save lives and help to protect our environment'. 

So what can we expect from the drone lab? The centre has been designed with a focus on hybrid drones which can fly and dive into water. Equipped with sixteen high speed 3D aerial tracking cameras and a further eight 3D tracking cameras will be positioned in a water tank. These cameras are used to track and record the drones in real-time. The combination of cameras and a cloud based computer system power the intelligence needed to control the drones with millisecond accuracy. Compare this to human piloted drones and the similarity can be compared to the eyes and brain of a human. Crucial areas of research and development if you want to learn how to control fleets of drones simultaneously or want to automate routine operations. 

This commitment of investment will bolster the UK to become a world leader in drones and autonomous systems. At Bookadrone we are very excited with this announcement. This centre for excellence will help accelerate the advancement of new hardware and software solutions. Something which will help address safety concerns and short-term viability of the technology. 

 

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Imperial College London (Rob Sidall)

Imperial College London today announced it is to develop the UK’s most advanced aerial robotics laboratory. The drone lab to be known as The Brahman Vasudevan Aerial Robotics lab will be two stories and constructed on the roof of the South Kensington Campus. The aim of this state-of-the-art laboratory is to become one of the UK’s leading centres for aerial robotics research and development. It is predicted that the global market value of unmanned aerial robot manufacturing is to reach an estimated $US 89 billion in the next ten years.

Mr Brahmal Vasudevan, an Imperial alumnus gifted the funds to build the facility. Dr Mirko Kovac, Director of the drone lab says:

Aerial robotics has the potential to become an important industry in the UK, but we need world beating teaching and research infrastructure to make this a reality. Thanks to the support of Mr Valsudevan we will now be able to construct an outstanding facility, which will enable the College to consolidate its position in this field and foster the next generation of engineers. Ultimately, we are aiming to develop flying robots that could improve the way companies do business, save lives and help to protect our environment.

So what can we expect from the drone lab? The centre has been designed with a focus on hybrid drones that can fly and dive into water. It will be equipped with sixteen high speed 3D aerial tracking cameras, and a further eight 3D tracking cameras will be positioned in a water tank. These cameras will be used to track and record the drones in real-time. The combination of cameras and a cloud based computer system will power the intelligence needed to control the drones with millisecond accuracy. Compare this to human piloted drones and the similarity can be compared to the eyes and brain of a human. These are crucial areas of research and development if you want to learn how to control fleets of drones simultaneously or want to automate routine operations.

This commitment of investment will bolster the UK to become a world leader in drones and autonomous systems. At Bookadrone we are very excited with this announcement. This centre for excellence will help accelerate the advancement of new hardware and software solutions – something that will help address safety concerns and short-term viability of the technology.

]]>