Aerialtronics Collision Avoidance System

Jason Bach

          UNSY 605 – Unmanned Systems Sensing, Perception, and Processing

         Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

10/25/2016

             

            The world of small unmanned systems (sUAS) has improved immensely over the past few years. The sUAS have become autonomous and have been introduced to collision avoidance systems that allow them to perform tasks where precision flying is a must (Meyerson, 2015). This technology of sense and avoid allows sUAS to change direction, height, speed, and even fly as a swarm while avoiding obstacles and others in the swarm (Meyerson, 2015). This technology for sense and avoid will allow drones to operate in all conditions in what is a three dimensional environment. If drones are to fly themselves the sense and avoid technology must be researched and proven safe for applicable tasks.

            The AerialTronics Collision Avoidance System is currently mounted on Altura multirotor systems and allows the technology to automatically adjust the sUAS position to avoid other objects in a predetermined surrounding area. It has obstacle detection sensors working in unison with data fusion algorithm software and also integrated into the guidance system (sUAS News, 2014). The system detects both static and moving objects with sensor and algorithm data and processing making automatic adjustments. Aerialtronics Altura multirotor sUAS will be able to communicate through sensors and software to avoid other sUAS in their 3D surrpounding environment (sUAS News, 2014). The Altura multirotor sUAS are less than five pounds with sensors and payload when operating. Constant algorithm usage combined with data input from the Aerialtronics collision avoidance technology aids the aircraft when flying in or around tight spots or with other drones. When objects come within approximately 23 feet it senses and comes up with an avoidance solution and will have a bounce back feature when within 2 feet of the object (Aerialtronics, 2016). No additional power requirements are needed for the avoidance system since it is built into existing hardware and payloads. The system will allow the sUAS to see and avoid making safer flying in and around the sUAS using the system. Altura drones with the Aerialtronics collision avoidance system included can be purchased for approximately $2,000 dollars.

            Collision avoidance systems will become commonplace on sUAS drones of all types as technology reduces prices and sizes of sensors along with other technology needed for the sense and avoid systems. Aerialtronics technology leads the way in unmanned systems and provided this collision avoidance systems as one of the first of its kind (Aerialtronics, 2016).  

             

References

Aerialtronics. (2016, January 2). Aerialtronics adds sense and avoid technology to Zenith UAS.

Retrieved from http://www.aerialtronics.com/2016/02/aerialtronics-adds-sense-and-avoid-technology-to-zenith-uas/

Meyerson, B. (2015, March 4). Emerging tech 2015: sense and avoid drones. Retrieved from

            https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/03/emerging-tech-2015-sense-and-avoid-drones/

SUAS News. (2014). Aerialtronics improves safety by incorporating sense and avoid. Retrieved

from http://www.suasnews.com/2014/09/aerialtronics-revolutionarily-improves-safety-by-incorporating-sense-and-avoid/