Unmanned aerial systems, what they are and what is available? Professor Sandor M Veres University of Sheffield

28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield Contents UASs: What are they? System Classifications Why now?- technological breakthroughs What to look for in the (near) future

28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield UAS questions What are the UAS classifications ? What are the technical categories ? What sensors do UAS use ? What do UAS autopilots ? What kind of safety features do we need ? What kind of artificial intelligence capabilities should we have ? Do they need to be piloted?

28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield UAS Classifications Civil Aviation Authority Publication CAP 722, 10 Aug 2012 Relevant other authorities: 1. European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment 2. Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (USA)

UAS technical categories Fixed wing aircrafts: Long flights possible (more than an hour) Large loads possible Used for large areas Remote piloting difficult at large distances 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield Flying wings Traditional UAS

Rotary wing aircraft Lot of power needed Hovers, safe Short flights Autopilot needed Larger frames have high noise levels 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield

The sensors they use 3D Gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer (IMU) Altitude sensors Airflow sensors(?) GPS Ultrasonic sensors Computer vision 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield

28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield Safety features Slow speed at all times Propeller cut off Auto landing Power monitoring Autopilot Perception of environment

Artificial intelligence capabilities Auto-landing and take off Waypoint following autonomously with picture taking Robustness to weather – wind, rain, temperatures Adaptivity and mission capability 3D modelling of tarrain 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield

Why now? 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield Technological breakthroughs in cheap sensing and imaging Sufficiently small computers for onboard computing – integrated sensing Advances adaptive control methods Advances in AI for autonomous task and mission execution Lower price of lightweight materials Single board integration: GPS 3D Accelerometer 3D Gyroscope 3D magnetometer Pressure sensor Powerful GPU for vision Powerful CPU for autonomous features

What to look for as a user? 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield Right choice of propulsion and size/type of plane Autonomous take off and landing Can operate in rain and wind High resolution cameras in combination with automated 3D environmental mapping Autonomous mission features Ease of system reconfiguration Level of safety features

Thanks. Any questions? 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield

28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield My background 1980 : applied maths and physics : industrial dynamical modelling and process control – Electronics and embedded systems : vibration control : autonomous formation flying : intelligent autonomous vehicles 28/08/2015© The University of Sheffield