In this episode, we explore how the mechanics of bird wings are inspiring new approaches to prevent airplanes from stalling and learn how bio-mimetic designs from nature are paving the way for innovations in aviation, enhancing stability and safety for future flights.

Podcast: Scared of Flying Boeing? Nature Might Be The Solution

If you’re an RPAS pilot in Canada, you’re likely using NAV Drone (and if you’re not, you should be).The mobile and web app from NAV Canada is the app to ensure your mission is approved. As the NAV CANADA <a href="https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/drone-flight-planning/nav-drone-support.aspx" target="_blank">website explains</a>: “NAV Drone is the only app that lets you safely and legally request permission to fly a drone in airspace controlled by NAV CANADA. From the web or a mobile device, professional and recreational drone pilots and operators can easily see where they can and cannot fly with interactive maps and, when needed, submit requests to fly in controlled airspace.”It’s a snap to use. The app lets you know where you can fly – and where you can’t – and could save you from both dangerous operations and potential fines. The app also notifies you if there are other drone operations underway in the vicinity of your operations, which is really useful for situational awareness.Last week, at the <a href="https://www.aerialevolution.ca/" target="_blank">Aerial Evolution Association of Canada</a>‘s annual conference and exhibition, NAV CANADA offered an update on usage stats for the app – and revealed there are more enhancements on the horizon.Below: Screengrabs from the NAV Drone mobile app, followed by a NAV CANADA explainer video<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzQ5NzgyOTAzLUlNR182MTM0LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NAV Drone App"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzQ5ODA0MTg3LUlNR182MTM1LmpwZy53ZWJwIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NAV Drone App"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FZR6ii6PX8s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe><h3 id="isPasted">By The Numbers</h3>NAV Drone has been operational now for several years. There was a lot of buzz in the industry when it was first released, but what has that translated to in terms of actual use? Here, NAV CANADA offered some numbers – which indicate the app has been widely embraced across the sector.In 2024, NAV Drone had processed 53,000 permission requests as of early November, a growth rate of 26 per cent over the previous year. By automating this process – and avoiding manual approval (30 minutes per request at $130/hour), NAV CANADA says the app has saved more than $6.5M in Air Traffic Service (ATS) costs. What’s more, users seem to really like the app; it has excellent ratings on the App Store and Google Play.And, of course, NAV Drone has greatly enhanced safety (and provided a huge amount of data) for NAV CANADA, the country’s privately run non-profit corporation that operates our civil air navigation system.“Safety is the key reason it’s there. It’s all about keeping the airspace safe,” explained Alan Chapman, NAV CANADA’s director of RPAS Traffic Management.As we head toward increased RPAS traffic, including regulations that will permit low-risk Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights in 2025, NAV CANADA has bold plans to enhance the offerings of the NAV Drone app. And that’s good news for both RPAS operators and also those operating traditional crewed aviation.“Some big changes are coming to NAV Drone in 2025,” said&nbsp;Stewart Paveling,&nbsp;Product Family Leader, RPAS Traffic Management NAV CANADA during a panel discussion.That includes a number of additional features to the app, including greater capabilities with RPAS Traffic Management (RTM), low-risk BVLOS and EVLOS flight approvals – Including the ability to record flights undertaken with a Special Flight Operations Certificate through the app.These are big changes, indicative of recognition this industry will continue to grow as well as NAV CANADA’s desire to safely help the industry expand as we head, ultimately, into the era of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).“NAV CANADA’s strategic direction positions us to take a leadership role to effect change across the air navigation system,” read a slide during its presentation. “To unlock not just our own potential, but also the potential of the industry to be more effective, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable going forward.”To further emphasise that, the slide continued – including the bold in the following paragraph:“RTM facilitates the safe integration of RPAS, in a highly automated way, enabling growth of operations and expansion of use cases to capture the potential aviation and societal benefits.”That was followed by a high-level road map indicating priorities for the coming years.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzUwMjgxNjYxLU5BVi1DYW5hZGEtTkFWLURyb25lLXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="RTM Phase 1 Progress Report"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzUwMzAzNDYyLU5BVi1DQU5BREEtUlRNLVBoYXNlLVR3by1zY2FsZWQuanBnLndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="RTM Phase 2"><h3 id="isPasted">Next Steps</h3>Following the slides, there was a panel discussion about future plans, along with other suggestions on ways to improve the existing app. In addition to Alan Chapman and Stewart Aveling, the panel included Joanne Moon (Manager of RPAS Operations, NAV CANADA), Anne Sophie Ripple-Bouvier (Flight Safety Officer, Aerial Evolution Association of Canada) and Brian Fentiman (Project Manager, InDro Robotics/CEO BlueForce UAV Consulting, Inc.).As the slide above notes, NAV Drone will keep pace with Transport Canada regulations – including the much anticipated changes that will allow low-risk BVLOS flights in 2025. The emphasis here is on pushing the envelope with a highly automated RTM system “to support safe, efficient and scalable BVLOS operations.”For years, the sector has been eager to enable BVLOS flight without the need for a time-consuming Special Flight Operations Certificate. This obviously opens the door to a broad range of use-case scenarios, ranging from monitoring long-range assets like railroad tracks and pipelines through to large-scale mapping and other data acquisition.For those operations that will still require an SFOC, NAV Canada revealed that the capability will be in place to allow flights to be recorded in the app. Though that will simplify the process of recording for operators, NAV Canada will not approve SFOCs; these applications will be reviewed by Transport Canada, which is responsible for approving SFOCs.Later this year, Paveling added, there will be new map layers for restricted airspace. NAV Canada is also planing to improve the flight clipboard that comes with the system, redesigning it and making it easier to read. There will also be changes to the web-based support site, including a move away from PDF manuals “with better content that’s easier to consume and search.”Outside of the app, NAV Canada said it is working to beef up its ability to detect drone incursions.“We see reports of RPAS in control zones on approach paths,” said Joanne Moon of NAV Canada, adding that the corporation also obtains data from drone detection systems in place at airports. (InDro Robotics is the chief technology partner with the <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/drone-pilot-fined-3021-for-drone-incursion-at-yow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drone detection system at YOW</a>. That data is shared with NAV CANADA and Transport Canada, among others.)NAV Canada, she said, is looking at strengthening its capabilities and enforcement in this arena.“(We’ve)&nbsp;Been working with industry partners, looking at things like drone detection, information sharing, emergency response, collaboratiion with airport authorities (as well as) our own air traffic services unit.”&nbsp;<h3>Other Improvements&nbsp;</h3>There was also an opportunity during the panel to discuss other improvements that could be made to the NAV Drone app. And here, InDro’s Brian Fentiman offered some suggestions.“One of the biggest things I find, more as a trainer than an operator, is the weak spot. The weak spot seems to be emergency procedures…With a flyaway,&nbsp;I would much prefer that there’s a single number. I’d like to see that phone number up front so it’s easy for people to find. In&nbsp;controlled airspace, you do get a phone number but it’s buried in a flight report…Sometimes you’ll get that phone number and the tower is not even open during those hours.”It’s an important point – and one NAV Canada says it’s about to address.“We are actively working on that right now…for an upcoming change to NAV Drone,” said Moon.The other point Fentiman raised was with regards to conspicuity – meaning the electronic visibility of a drone within a broader RTM system.“To enable BVLOS, we need conspicuity…whether it’s from the drone to other (RPAS) traffic or to commercial aviation,” he said.That is something, said NAV CANADA, that is precisely on its roadmap. And the best way to fully get there, it was suggested, was to ensure that everyone in the industry uses the NAV Drone app.“The more people who use the tool, the better situational awareness we have,” said Chapman.Below: Brian Fentiman on the NAV CANADA panel at AEAC2024. Photo by Scott Simmie, InDro Robotics<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMxMzUwMzY4NzU4LURTQ0YzNjY4LXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Brian Fentiman"> <h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3>The annual Aerial Evolution Association of Canada’s conference and exhibit is always a great event – and precisely due to learning opportunities like this one. Conversations with bodies like NAV CANADA and Transport Canada are tremendously important for the growth of the sector.“We are fortunate in Canada to have a collaborative relationship with NAV CANADA and Transport Canada, as that’s not always the case between the industry and regulators or air traffic systems organizations,” says Philip Reece, Founder and CEO of InDro Robotics.“We have seen a true evolution over the years in terms of this relationship – and from both sides. There’s a greater recognition now from the industry that safety has to remain paramount if the sector is going to continue its growth trajectory. And we’ve also seen a real willingness from NAV CANADA and Transport Canada to work with RPAS operators to safely continue growth. The NAV Drone app – and how widely it’s now used – is evidence of this collaboration from both sides. We look forward to enhanced capabilities on this already excellent tool.”Want to learn more about the benefits of membership with the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada? You can find all the details <a href="https://www.aerialevolution.ca/become-a-member/" target="_blank">here</a>.

NAV Canada Update

Enhanced Capabilities Coming to NAV Drone App

In this episode, we explore how AI can help aerial vehicles adjust to extreme turbulence in real-time and enhance safety/stability, even in challenging driving conditions.

Scared of Turbulence? AI -Might- Fix That

This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/613afcf0-5191-4293-a6a1-7f18ec73fe53?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>“These flaps can both help the plane avoid stall and make it easier to regain control when stall does occur,” said <a href="https://mae.princeton.edu/people/faculty/wissa" data-type="link" data-id="https://mae.princeton.edu/people/faculty/wissa">Aimy Wissa</a>, assistant professor of <a href="https://mae.princeton.edu/">mechanical and aerospace engineering</a> and principal investigator of <a href="https://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2409268121">the study</a>, published Oct. 28 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.The flaps mimic a group of feathers, called covert feathers, that deploy when birds perform &nbsp; certain aerial maneuvers, such as landing or flying in a gust. Biologists have observed when and how these feathers deploy, but no studies have quantified the aerodynamic role of covert feathers during bird flight. Engineering studies have investigated covert-inspired flaps for improving engineered wing performance, but have mostly neglected that birds have multiple rows of covert feathers. The Princeton team has advanced the technology by demonstrating how sets of flaps work together and exploring the complex physics that governs the interaction.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMwMTYzMTAzMjIwLVdpc3NhLXBsYW5lLWZlYXRoZXJzLWhlcm8tZm9yLXdlYi0yMDQ4eDExNTIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Princeton researchers at the Forrestal campus. Left to right: Ahmed K. Othman, Girguis Sedky, Hannah Wiswell and professor Aimy Wissa. Photo by Lori M. NicholsGirguis Sedky, postdoctoral researcher and the paper’s lead author, called the technique “an easy and cost-effective way to drastically improve flight performance without additional power requirements.”The covert flaps deploy or flip up in response to changes in airflow, requiring no external control mechanisms. They offer an inexpensive and lightweight method to increase flight performance without complex machinery. “They’re essentially just flexible flaps&nbsp;that, when designed and placed properly, can greatly improve a plane’s performance and stability,” Wissa said.A wing’s teardrop form forces air to flow quickly over its top, creating a low-pressure area that pulls the plane up. At the same time, air pushes against the bottom of the wing, adding upward pressure. Designers call the combination of this pull and push “lift.” Changes in flight conditions or a drop in an aircraft’s speed can result in stall, rapidly reducing lift.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMwMTYzMTIzMjAxLWZvci13ZWItMDkxMjI0LVBSTi1XaW5kVHVubmVsLUxNTjI2NDcxLTE1MzZ4MTAzMC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The researchers explored the physics behind the flaps’ performance in a wind tunnel at Princeton.Wissa’s team designed a series of experiments in the wind tunnel at Princeton’s Forrestal Campus to understand how flaps mimicking the feathers would affect flight performance, especially near stall, which usually happens when the plane is at a steep angle, when covert feathers were observed to deploy. The tunnel allowed the team to examine the way different flap arrangements affected variables like air pressure around the wings, wind speed over the wing and vortices that impact performance.The team attached the covert-inspired flaps to a 3D-printed model airplane wing and mounted it in the wind tunnel, a 30-foot-tall metal contraption that simulates and measures air flow. “The wind tunnel experiments give us really precise measurements for how air interacts with the wing and the flaps, and we can see what’s actually happening in terms of physics,” Sedky said.The wind tunnel is equipped with sensors that read the forces felt by the wing, as well as a laser and high-speed camera that measure precisely how air is moving around the wing.The study uncovered the physics by which the flaps improved lift and identified two ways that the flaps control air moving around the wing. One of these control mechanisms had not been previously identified. The researchers uncovered the new mechanism, called shear layer interaction, when they were testing the effect of a single flap near the front of the wing. They found that the other mechanism is only effective when the flap is at the back of the wing.The researchers tested configurations with a single flap and with multiple flaps ranging from two rows to five rows. They found that the five-row configuration improved lift by 45%, reduced drag by 30% and enhanced the overall wing stability.“The discovery of this new mechanism unlocked a secret behind why birds have these feathers near the front of the wings and how we can use these flaps for aircraft,” Wissa said. “Especially because we found that the more flaps you add to the front of the wing, the higher the performance benefit.”Following the results of the wind tunnel experiments, the team moved outside the lab and into the field to test the covert-inspired flaps on a scaled model aircraft. Princeton’s Forrestal Campus was once an airport and still features an operational helipad. So, the researchers teamed up with Nathaniel Simon, graduate student in mechanical and aerospace engineering who researches drone flight, and demonstrated the technology in real-world conditions by equipping a radio-controlled (RC) airplane with covert-inspired flaps.The researchers worked with members of the Somerset RC model aircraft club to select a model plane. The researchers then modified the airplane body to outfit it with an onboard flight computer, and Simon drew on his experience piloting drones to fly it. They programmed the flight computer to stall the aircraft autonomously and repeatedly. Simon said it was amazing to see the flaps deploy in-flight and to see that they helped delay and reduce stall intensity, just as they did in the wind tunnel. “It’s cool to be able to collaborate in the shared space at the Forrestal campus, and to see how many areas of research this project touched,” he said.Sedky said that in addition to improving flight, their findings could be extended to other applications where modifying the surrounding fluid would benefit performance. “What we discovered about how coverts alter the airflow around the wing can be applied to other fluids and other bodies, making them applicable to cars, underwater vehicles, and even wind turbines,” he said.Wissa said that this study could open the door to collaborations with biologists to learn more about the role of covert feathers in bird flight, and that the results of this study will help form new hypotheses that can be tested on birds. “That’s the power of bioinspired design,” she said. “The ability to transfer things from biology to engineering to improve our mechanical systems, but also use our engineering tools to answer questions about biology.”<hr>The paper, “Distributed feather-inspired flow control mitigates stall and expands flight envelope,” by was published Nov. 20 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Besides Wissa, Sedky and Simon, authors include Ahmed K. Othman, and Hannah Wiswell, graduate students in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Support for the project was provided in part by the National Science Foundation.

Princeton researchers equipped the wings of an RC plane with wing feather-inspired flaps, and flew it at Princeton’s Forrestal Campus to prove that the flaps help prevent airplanes from stalling. Photos by Lori M. Nichols

Taking inspiration from bird feathers, Princeton engineers have found that adding rows of flaps to a remote-controlled aircraft’s wings improves flight performance and helps prevent stalling, a condition that can jeopardize a plane’s ability to stay aloft. 

Bird wings inspire new approach to flight safety

As you might recall from <a href="https://cypherrobotics.com/2024/10/17/cypher-robotics-puts-captis-on-the-global-stage-at-gitex-global-2024-in-dubai/?et_fb=1&PageSpeed=off" target="_blank">this post</a>, Cypher Robotics and its <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/cypher-robotics-announces-captis-a-new-solution-for-industrial-scanning/" target="_blank">Captis</a> cycle-counting/inventory management solution recently attended the huge <a href="https://www.gitex.com/" target="_blank">GITEX GLOBAL 2024</a> event in Dubai. It’s the world’s largest technology and AI exhibition, with some 200,000 attendees. It was a *huge* show.But a lot of the work – and the opportunities – for both Cypher Robotics and InDro Robotics (which incubated Cypher and has a technology agreement with the company) took place away from the show floor. Cypher Robotics CEO and InDro Vice President Peter King spent much of his time in high-level meetings with executives from five of the largest companies in the United Arab Emirates.“These were C-Suite level meetings, where we were able to learn more about what these companies do – and discuss how both InDro and Cypher can offer solutions that could benefit them,” says King.These aren’t companies where you can simply call and ask for a meeting with high-level executives. There needs to be a catalyst to facilitate such discussions.And there was: The Government of Canada; specifically, the Canadian Consulate in Dubai.Below: Cypher Robotics CEO Peter King on the floor at GITEX GLOBAL 2024. Much of his time was spent off the floor, meeting with executives from the largest companies in the UAE<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729798081995-GITEX-Peter.jpg-2.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Cypher Robotics Booth at GITEX"><h3 id="isPasted">Trade Mission</h3>Among the many responsibilities of the Federal Government is promoting trade between Canadian firms and international clients. Sometimes, there are large “Team Canada Trade Missions” which are led by a Minister and often covered by media. With these missions, there’s a specific push on the Indo-Pacific region. On other occasions, however, the government pulls together smaller groups with a very specific focus. Months before GITEX GLOBAL 2024 was to take the world stage, planning began for a mission in Dubai that would take place the same week.Government officials identified five Canadian firms in the Canadian high-tech sector it felt might be a fit for the UAE market. InDro Robotics was invited to participate – and was the only company among those five from the robotics sector.“They identified that our solutions could be highlighted in Dubai – not only for trade reasons, but also to help solve some really hard problems,” says Peter King. “We were obviously really pleased to be one of a small handful of technology companies to be on the federal government’s radar.”Canada’s Consul General in Dubai, H.E. Tracy Reynolds, was at the helm of this program and coordinated a series of meetings with “the UAE’s most influential business and technology leaders,” reads a Government of Canada document outlining the program.“Consul General Reynolds will lead a two-day outreach program that will allow selected Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) clients to pitch their products and solutions to Dubai’s conglomerates, which are considered to be major buyers of ICT products and solutions. The meetings will also allow the delegation to learn about the latest technologies being adopted by these organizations,” it adds.<h3> </h3><h3 id="isPasted">Why UAE?</h3>Though historically an oil-driven economy, the United Arab Emirates has diversified greatly in recent years. It has evolved, according to the CIA’s World FactBook, “into a trade-oriented logistics and supply chain leader (with) strong foreign direct investment orientation; building trade and investment ties through partnership agreements…” The UAE Gross Domestic Product is the fourth highest in the Middle East (after Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel), with an estimated USD 719.733 billion GDP in 2023.In Dubai, the skyline has been utterly transformed over the past few decades. It’s home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and other ultra-modern architecture. Known also for its luxury shopping and high-end autos, Dubai has also embraced technology in recent years. In fact, the local police count Tesla Cybertrucks among their fleet.Dubai has never been as dependent on oil as the other six Emirates that comprise the UAE – and Dubai has led the way in the UAE in terms of economic diversification. According to Wikipedia, “Oil production, which once accounted for 50% of Dubai’s gross domestic product, contributes less than 1% today. In 2018, wholesale and retail trade represented 26% of the total GDP; transport and logistics, 12%; banking, insurance activities and capital markets, 10%; manufacturing, 9%; real estate, 7%; construction, 6%; tourism, 5%. The International Herald Tribune described it as ‘centrally-planned free-market capitalism’.”In other words, Dubai – and the wider UAE – are a significant and growing global marketplace.Below: The Dubai Skyline at night. Photo by Ivan Siarbolin – https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-skyline-during-night-time-3787839/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95959711<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729798138316-Dubai_Skylines_at_night_Pexels_3787839-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Dubai Skyline"> <h3 id="isPasted">High-Level Agenda</h3>With that context, it’s clear why the Canadian Consulate in Dubai sees opportunity. Being on the ground, Canadian&nbsp;Consul General&nbsp;Tracy Reynolds,&nbsp;Deputy Consul General Anthony Finch and Trade Commissioner&nbsp;Arun Basandai have an insider’s vantage point into the key economic players in Dubai and the UAE.&nbsp;And so, over the course of two days, they accompanied representatives of the five invited Canadian companies to five different high-level meetings.The first was with one of the largest real estate developers in the entire UAE. Remember the earlier reference to the Burj Khalifa? This company owns it. In addition to real estate, its diverse portfolio includes&nbsp;retail, hospitality, and&nbsp;leisure. The firm’s Executive Director and its Head of Information Technology attended the meeting.We don’t want to get into the details, but it was an excellent discussion – which included how solutions from both InDro Robotics and Cypher Robotics might be useful to that firm.&nbsp;From there, it was off to a massive global investment company that has been a major driver of Dubai’s spectacular growth. It’s involved with 10 sectors,&nbsp;including real estate, hospitality, leisure&nbsp;&amp; entertainment, media, ICT, design, education, retail, manufacturing, and&nbsp;logistics and science. It owns hotels, parks, resorts, a huge arena, multiple large retail outlets – and is also involved in multiple projects to accelerate Dubai into a fully Smart City. There were fruitful discussions there as well.Meeting three was with one of the largest retailers in Dubai and the entire UAE with an emphasis on the fashion and lifestyle industry. On the food and beverage side, it runs multiple name brand franchises throughout the UAE and is the distributor/retailer of major fashion brands. It’s a huge company with a massive rolling inventory across several sectors. As with the previous meetings, all five Canadian technology companies had a chance to discuss their offerings.&nbsp;<h3>And There Was More…</h3>Once again, it was C-suite meetings with the full support of senior Consulate staff. The group met with the CEO and Chief Strategy and Technology Officer (CSTO) of the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure company across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It owns and operates 27 major shopping malls, multiple hotels, cinemas, etc. and has assets in excess of USD 18 billion and 44,000 employees.The final meeting was with “a multinational retail franchise operator of 70 brands in 20 countries.” Those brands include Starbucks, Chipotle and Cheesecake Factory. The company runs hotels and major retail outlets with names you’d recognize. The company’s Chief Strategy and Digital Officer attended this meeting, and was able to learn about solutions offered by all five Canadian technology companies.“These meetings were a tremendous opportunity to learn not only about what these leading UAE companies do, but also explore some of the challenges they face with operations at that scale,” says King. “There was significant interest in solutions from both InDro and Cypher – and I’m confident these were just the first of many conversations to come.”Below: The Cypher Robotics cycle-counting and RFID scanning Captis, which can operate autonomously for five hours and also capture precision digital twins. Below that is the InDro Robotics Sentinel, designed for remote asset inspection, security and surveillance and digital twins<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729798194505-Captis-1-scaled.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Captis Robot"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729798212185-Sentinel-in-substation-1.jpg.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sentinel Inspection Robot"><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3>We are pleased to have been selected to take part in this trade mission in the United Arab Emirates – and are exceedingly grateful to the senior staff at the Canadian Consul General in Dubai. These were exceptional meetings and, potentially, the beginning of new business relationships.“These meetings were a significant step along Cypher’s long-term roadmap, which includes markets beyond North America,” says King. “Every business relationship begins with a discussion, and these were very productive introductory meetings for all of the Canadian firms on this trip. I’d like to extend our deepest thanks for Consul General Tracy Reynolds, Trade Commissioner Arun Basandani and Deputy Consul General Anthony Finch.”InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece is also pleased.“These meetings were a remarkable opportunity for not only InDro and Cypher, but for four other innovative Canadian tech companies,” he says. “The Government of Canada recognizes the global shift toward Industry 4.0 and the role Canadian technology companies can play in that. We are pleased that InDro had this opportunity and extend our thanks to all those involved.”If you’d like to learn more about InDro Robotics solutions, contact us <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/connectwithanexpert/" target="_blank">here</a>. For Cypher Robotics and Captis, reach out <a href="https://cypherrobotics.com/contact-us/" target="_blank">here</a>.Cover image of Dubai at top of story via Wikimedia Commons by Tim Reckmann, CC BY-SA 3.0

Exploring strategic partnerships and showcasing cutting-edge robotic technologies, InDro Robotics and Cypher Robotics attend pivotal trade discussions to expand their global impact.

InDro Robotics and Cypher Robotics attend High-Level Trade Meetings in Dubai

Inspecting FPSOs in harsh marine environments is no easy task, especially with high temperatures, confined spaces, and the need for precise corrosion monitoring. Recently, a major breakthrough in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) was achieved during the inspection of an FPSO tank, where both Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and Visual Testing (VT) were conducted using SKYRON, an intelligent flying robot designed to perform NDT inspections faster, safer, and more cost-effectively.This innovative approach allowed inspectors to gather crucial data while avoiding the dangers of traditional methods like rope access and scaffolding. From capturing HD images to delivering UT readings in temperatures up to 45°C, the inspection process was completed swiftly, safely, and more efficiently than ever.Watch the full inspection video to see how NDT is being transformed!

A Technological Breakthrough

Redefining NDT Inspections in FPSOs

This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/ba9d3b2c-0388-4b26-839e-f00c49d3ec84?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>In nature, flying animals sense coming changes in their surroundings, including the onset of sudden turbulence, and quickly adjust to stay safe. Engineers who design aircraft would like to give their vehicles the same ability to predict incoming disturbances and respond appropriately. Indeed, disasters such as the fatal Singapore Airlines flight this past May in which more than 100 passengers were injured after the plane encountered severe turbulence, could be avoided if aircraft had such automatic sensing and prediction capabilities combined with mechanisms to stabilize the vehicle.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI5MDM4MjAxNjIyLUFuYW5ka3VtYXItR2hhcmliLVdpbmRfVHVubmVsX0ZhbGNvbi1XRUIud2lkdGgtNDUwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The team's experimental setup in the John W. Lucas Wind Tunnel at Caltech. A large black cylinder with a plate attached at the front creates irregular turbulence under the tunnel's high-speed winds. The airfoil wing system with eight pressure sensors and a pitot tube is mounted on a load cell to measure the lift experienced by the system. Credit: CaltechNow a team of researchers from Caltech's <a href="https://cast.caltech.edu/">Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies</a> (CAST) and Nvidia has taken an important step toward such capabilities. In a new <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44182-024-00013-0.epdf?sharing_token=6SA8UpWMvumTfhM3BzcI0NRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0OYBT9CUtY2_MnOaaTlLg26HDgxOHgFndBOc1Ku9JjlUbinxhxQy2OVlESO-2I1ea10WRlqhnXFkZL3MD7WxjALanseKL57Txyt7Qm936pSVU30LsD6GimfDMNURtTs7_Q%3D">paper</a> in the journal npj Robotics, the team describes a control strategy they have developed for unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, called FALCON (Fourier Adaptive Learning and CONtrol). The strategy uses reinforcement learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to adaptively learn how turbulent wind can change over time and then uses that knowledge to control a UAV based on what it is experiencing in real time."Spontaneous turbulence has major consequences for everything from civilian flights to drones. With climate change, extreme weather events that cause this type of turbulence are on the rise," says <a href="https://www.eas.caltech.edu/people/mgharib">Mory Gharib</a> (PhD '83), the Hans W. Liepmann Professor of Aeronautics and Medical Engineering, the Booth-Kresa Leadership Chair of CAST, and an author of the new paper. "Extreme turbulence also arises at the interface between two different shear flows—for example, when high-speed winds meet stagnation around a tall building. Therefore, UAVs in urban settings need to be able to compensate for such sudden changes. FALCON gives these vehicles a way to understand the turbulence that is coming and make necessary adjustments."FALCON is not the first UAV control strategy to use reinforcement learning. However, previous strategies have not tried to learn the underlying model that truly represents how turbulent winds work. Instead, they have all been model-free methods. Such methods focus on maximizing a reward function that cannot be used to tackle different settings, such as different wind conditions or vehicle configurations, without retraining because they focus on just one environment."That's not so good in the physical world, where we know that situations can change drastically and quickly," says <a href="https://www.eas.caltech.edu/people/anima">Anima Anandkumar</a>, the Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Caltech and an author of the new paper. "We need the AI to learn the underlying model of turbulence well so that it can take action based on how it thinks the wind will change.""Advancements in fundamental AI will change the face of the aviation industry, enhancing safety, efficiency, and performance across a range of platforms, including passenger planes, UAVs, and carrier aircraft. These innovations promise to make air travel and operations smarter, safer, and more streamlined," says Kamyar Azizzadenesheli, a co-author from Nvidia.As the FALCON acronym says, the strategy is based on Fourier methods, meaning that it relies on the use of sinusoids, or periodic waves, to represent signals—here, wind conditions. The waves provide a good approximation of standard wind motions, keeping needed computation to a minimum. Within those waves, when extreme turbulence arises, the unsteadiness shows up as a noticeable change in frequency."If you can learn how to predict those frequencies, then our method can give you some prediction of what is headed your way," says Gharib, who is also director of the <a href="https://www.galcit.caltech.edu/">Graduate Aerospace Laboratories</a> at Caltech."Fourier methods work well here because turbulent waves are better modeled in terms of frequencies, with most of their energy lying in low frequencies," says co-lead author Sahin Lale (PhD '23), now a senior staff research engineer at Neural Propulsion Systems, Inc., who completed the work while at Caltech. "Using this prior knowledge simplifies both the learning and control of turbulent dynamics, even with a limited amount of information."To test the effectiveness of the FALCON strategy, the researchers created an extremely challenging test setup in the <a href="http://windtunnel.caltech.edu/">John W. Lucas Wind Tunnel</a> at Caltech. They used a fully equipped airfoil wing system as their representative UAV, outfitting it with pressure sensors and control surfaces that could make adjustments online to things like the system's altitude and yaw. They then positioned a large cylinder with a moveable attachment in the wind tunnel. When wind flowed over the cylinder, it created random, major fluctuations in the wind reaching the airfoil."Training a reinforcement learning algorithm in a physical turbulent environment presents all kinds of unique challenges," says Peter I. Renn (BS '19, PhD '23) co-lead author of the paper who is now a quantitative strategist at Virtu Financial. "We couldn't rely on perfectly clean signals or simplified flow simulations, and everything had to be done in real time."After about nine minutes of learning, the FALCON-assisted system was able to stabilize itself in this extreme environment."With each new observation, the program gets better because it has more information," says Anandkumar."The future really depends on how powerful the software gets in terms of needing less and less training," says Gharib. "Quick adaptation is going to be the challenge, and we are going to push, push, push."Looking to the future, he adds that the researchers envision giving UAVs and even passenger planes the ability to share sensed and learned information about conditions with each other. Such plane-to-plane sharing of sensor measurements and artificial intelligence–based learning, especially when in the vicinity of a disturbance, could help keep aircraft safe."I believe that's going to happen," says Gharib. "Otherwise, things will get pretty dangerous as extreme weather events increase in frequency."The paper, "FALCON: Fourier Adaptive Learning and Control for Disturbance Rejection Under Extreme Turbulence," was published online on September 24. Babak Hassibi, the Mose and Lillian S. Bohn Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Caltech is also an author of the new paper. The work was supported by CAST and by grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Office of Naval Research.

In nature, flying animals sense coming changes in their surroundings, including the onset of sudden turbulence, and quickly adjust to stay safe. Engineers who design aircraft would like to give their vehicles the same ability to predict incoming disturbances and respond appropriately.

AI-Trained Vehicles Can Adjust to Extreme Turbulence on the Fly

FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units) demand meticulous inspection due to exposure to harsh marine environments, including waves, currents, and saltwater corrosion. Additionally, given the nature of the asset, corrosion monitoring in hull tanks and oil storage is critical. Advanced inspection and monitoring can help prevent catastrophic events. Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and Visual Testing (VT) are imperative methods employed to ensure the structural integrity of these vessels. These inspections identify corrosion, erosion, or damage that may compromise their strength, allowing for timely repairs and maintenance to prevent costly downtime or accidents caused by tank failures.Assessing assets such as FPSO tanks presents numerous challenges, including high temperatures and limited access through conventional methods like scaffolding or rope access in confined spaces. However, the industry is evolving by embracing innovative technologies like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). While UAVs can operate autonomously, they are typically controlled remotely by a human pilot. Additionally, specialized equipment tailored for high-temperature environments is being integrated to enhance inspection efficiency and effectiveness.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI3Mzc3MzIwMTMxLVBpY3R1cmUyLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Elevated temperatures within the FPSO pose significant challenges.Recently, Avestec achieved a successful milestone by conducting a comprehensive inspection of an FPSO tank, employing the cutting-edge technology of SKYRON. The mission was meticulously designed to conduct both UT and VT inspections within the confined spaces of the FPSO tank. Leveraging SKYRON's advanced capabilities, the VT inspection meticulously captured General Visual Inspection (GVI) and Close Visual Inspection (CVI) HD images, while UT readings were diligently collected from the tank’s surfaces. Despite facing scorching ambient temperatures reaching up to 46°C, SKYRON's performance remained unparalleled, thanks to its integrated proprietary cooling system, ensuring peak efficiency even in the most challenging conditions. SKYRON is also equipped with two long-range video systems optimized for operation in metallic confined spaces. One link transmits HD video for inspection, and the other transmits low-latency FPV (First Person View) video for navigation. The FPV allows inspectors to stay in a safe place and have a view of the areas being inspected.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1727378118456-Picture03.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">First Person ViewFor the inspection within confined spaces, SKYRON's capabilities shone brightly. Equipped with a robotic arm for UT and a gimbal-mounted camera for VT, SKYRON navigated narrow spaces with remarkable ease, efficiently capturing crucial data. SKYRON UT utilizes a robotic arm on the front of the flying platform, allowing the UT transducer to take measurements at 25 points within a 2" x 2" square grid. Additionally, the robotic arm seamlessly attaches to surfaces of various angles and curvatures, including narrow horizontal and vertical stiffener flanges, enhancing the quality of contact-based UT readings. On the other hand, SKYRON VT utilizes a gimbal mounted on the front of the flying platform, enabling a full ±90o pitch for a floor-to-ceiling view. The gimbal is equipped with a Sony camera, featuring a full-frame lens mirrorless camera with a motorized lens for remote zooming, a laser pointer, lidar, and a lighting system for operation in dark environments.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1727378226420-Picture4.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1727378197184-Picture5.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">SKYRON's tether cableMoreover, SKYRON's tethered design eliminates the need for batteries, ensuring uninterrupted operation and longer flight times in hot environments. The smart tether system is developed to supply power to the flying robot at lengths of up to 100m. It also incorporates a server that runs a proprietary inspection, robotic control, temperature monitoring, and reporting software application. This system is complemented by our software Avesoft, which permits real-time data transmission and report generation. All GVI (General Visual Inspection), CVI (Close Visual Inspection), and UT (Ultrasonic Testing) measurements were captured using SKYRON, with ABS surveyor approval. This serves as a significant step toward method approval, as SKYRON can be considered a new approach for FPSO inspections, eliminating the need for humans to work at height using ropes or scaffolding.In conclusion, SKYRON proves to be a game-changer in FPSO inspections, offering enhanced safety for inspectors, faster assessment processes, and reduced costs. Its ability to operate in challenging environments, coupled with its advanced capabilities, positions SKYRON as a reliable solution for ensuring the integrity of FPSOs worldwide.

Utilizing SKYRON Technology

Optimizing FPSO Inspection Processes

As Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technology advances, industries like energy, oil and gas, and maritime cargo are demanding more sophisticated, efficient, and safer inspection methods. Traditional approaches may no longer meet the complex requirements of today’s critical infrastructure inspections.&nbsp;Avestec's&nbsp;latest development, SKYRON 2, introduces significant advancements in this area, notably through its use of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology and 3D mapping capabilities.&nbsp;Importance of SLAM and 3D Mapping in Inspection Industries&nbsp;1. Enhanced Precision and Accuracy&nbsp;SLAM technology allows robots to generate detailed, real-time 3D maps of their surroundings while concurrently tracking their own position. This capability is essential for high-precision inspections of critical assets such as pipelines, cargo hulls, and FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units). Traditional methods often involve manual measurements and visual inspections that can be prone to errors. By integrating SLAM with 3D mapping, SKYRON 2 offers a more&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;and comprehensive view of the asset, minimizing missed defects and improving overall inspection quality.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI2MzE0NTgxLWNhcmdvLXRhbmttZWFzdXJlbWVudC5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">2. Efficient Data Collection&nbsp;3D mapping is crucial for efficient data collection, particularly in complex and expansive environments like large oil and gas refineries. With SLAM-equipped tools, inspectors can cover extensive areas and intricate structures more swiftly than with manual methods. This efficiency not only accelerates the inspection process but also reduces downtime for critical assets, thus supporting continuous operations and cost management.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI1ODk4NzA1LU1lYXNzdXJlbWVudC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> 3. Real-Time Navigation and Analysis&nbsp;Real-time 3D mapping&nbsp;facilitates&nbsp;dynamic navigation and immediate data analysis. SLAM technology provides live updates on the robot’s position and environmental conditions, enabling operators to make informed decisions during inspections. This is particularly&nbsp;advantageous&nbsp;in hazardous or confined spaces where traditional methods might be inadequate. The ability to adapt to real-time conditions and address issues as they arise enhances inspection effectiveness and contributes to better maintenance practices.&nbsp;4. Safety Enhancements&nbsp;Safety is a major concern in many inspection environments, especially in high-risk or hard-to-reach areas. SLAM and 3D mapping technologies enable inspectors to&nbsp;operate&nbsp;from a safe distance, reducing the need for direct human involvement in potentially dangerous conditions. Remote-controlled robots equipped with these technologies mitigate risks and ensure inspections can be conducted in areas where human access may be restricted or unsafe.&nbsp;5. Detailed Asset Analysis&nbsp;The high-resolution point clouds produced by SLAM technology offer detailed insights into the condition of inspected assets. This level of detail supports thorough analysis and detection of even minor defects or anomalies. For precision-critical industries like&nbsp;energy and oil&nbsp;and gas, detailed 3D models&nbsp;facilitate&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;assessment and informed decision-making for maintenance and repairs.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI2MzI1OTA0LTNEbWFwLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">6. Integration with Advanced Technologies&nbsp;SLAM and 3D mapping are integral to the integration of advanced technologies such as sensor-fusion systems and autonomous navigation. By combining data from multiple sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, and IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units), SLAM enhances the robot’s operational capabilities in diverse and challenging environments. This integration improves the reliability and accuracy of inspections, expanding the range of applications and enhancing overall tool performance.&nbsp;SKYRON 2’s Contribution&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NDI2MzQ0NjI0LVNLWVJPTjIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> SKYRON 2 exemplifies these advancements by incorporating a sophisticated SLAM processing engine and high-resolution 3D mapping features. Its ability to produce detailed, real-time 3D maps ensures high precision in inspections, even in complex and dynamic environments. The integration of sensor-fusion technology further enhances its effectiveness, providing a comprehensive solution for modern industrial inspection challenges.&nbsp;In summary, SLAM and 3D mapping are pivotal in advancing the inspection industry by offering enhanced precision, efficiency, real-time navigation, and safety.&nbsp;Avestec’s&nbsp;SKYRON 2&nbsp;leverages&nbsp;these technologies to deliver a powerful and precise inspection tool, addressing the evolving needs of various industries and setting a new standard in industrial asset inspection and management.&nbsp;

The Role of SLAM and 3D Mapping in Modern NDT Inspection Technologies

Elevating Industrial Asset Inspection

The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has made significant progress in developing turbines for efficient and climate-compatible aircraft engines in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Deutschland. Researchers have deployed a trick carried over from many modern aircraft wings: attaching 'winglets' to the tips of the turbine blades to increase engine efficiency. Winglets and other technologies are already being used in the latest Rolls-Royce engines from the Pearl range and have significantly reduced fuel consumption.Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/at" target="_blank">DLR Institute of Propulsion Technology</a> in <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/dlr/locations-and-offices/goettingen" target="_blank">Göttingen</a> worked with Rolls-Royce Deutschland to investigate a new type of two-stage high-pressure turbine. At the Göttingen institute's <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en/at/research-transfer/research-infrastructure/turbine-test-beds/next-generation-turbine" target="_blank">Next-Generation Turbine Test Facility (NG-Turb)</a>, which offers infrastructure unrivalled in Europe, the researchers were able to validate turbine computer simulations from Rolls-Royce. In a turbojet engine, the turbine is positioned after the combustion chamber, from where the emerging exhaust gas jet causes the turbine blades to rotate. The NG-Turb test bed replicates this set up, putting turbines through their paces under real-world engine conditions.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1722783344279-image-400-a2810991432fbb2b39ff2a064e2c6158.png" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Turbine blades with winglets Detail of the turbine blades with new winglets at the tips. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)<h2>Turbine inlet temperature crucial</h2>The initial measurements on the NG-Turb test stand, conducted as part of the German government's aviation research programme (the LuFo HittTurb project), initially focused on the efficiency of the turbine. As the operating point of turbines varies during take-off, cruising flight and landing, determining the relationship between efficiency and the speed and pressure ratio of the turbine was crucial. "This turbine serves as a demonstrator for various technologies that are to be used in the real engine, including winglets on the rotor blades," says Andreas Pahs, Project Manager of the DLR Institute of Propulsion Technology's Göttingen site. Applying winglets to the blade tips significantly changes the geometry of the blade and hence the flow around it, giving rise to improvements in both turbine and overall engine efficiency."We have also carried out detailed flow field measurements," Pahs continues. "We analysed pressure, temperature, flow angle and Mach number using sensors developed in-house here at the institute." The findings were incorporated into the development of Rolls-Royce's Pearl engine range, which powers ultra-long-haul business jets.<h2>Current focus on combustion chamber–turbine interaction</h2>In addition to the new turbine design, the researchers were interested in the influence of the combustion chamber outlet flow on aerodynamics, efficiency and temperature. Given the extreme operating temperatures that turbine materials are subject to, a crucial development task is to identify hot spots early on and target them for cooling by applying cooling air to the turbine blade surface.In the follow-up project, which was recently completed as part of the EU research programme Clean Sky 2 (an EU Transition project), the scientific research focused on the interaction between the combustion chamber and the turbine. For this purpose, a combustion chamber simulator was developed and installed in front of the turbine on the NG-Turb test stand. The simulator generates flow fields with properties comparable to those from the combustion of conventional fuels and which correspond to the exit profile of a real Rolls-Royce engine combustion chamber.A better understanding of the temperature distribution at the transition from the combustion chamber to the turbine is key to generating new technology concepts. "Our task is to precisely measure the thermal load within the turbine in order to make the cooling of the turbine blades more efficient," explains DLR Institute of Propulsion Technology project manager Anna-Samira Söhngen. Using targeted, optimised cooling saves on cooling air and further improves overall engine efficiency.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1722783390887-image-1600-4c05b05d70b4ca8c3a7d5dcd897a4297.jpeg" style="width: 790px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Test facility for future turbines Investigations are conducted at the NG-Turb test facility to research more efficient and climate-compatible turbines for future aircraft and power stations. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)<h2>Europe's only hydrogen-ready turbine test bench</h2>The NG-Turb test stand works in a closed circuit with dry air as the flow medium. The stand includes air temperature and pressure regulation, allowing the researchers to set the key parameters of Mach and Reynolds number independently. The system also has an air dryer and a separate air-cooling compressor that diverts flow from the system and supplies it to the turbine for cooling air simulation. The test stand also now includes heat exchangers to lower the temperature of the cooling air and thus allow another parameter, the main-flow to cooling-air temperature ratio, to be set as realistically as possible.DLR receives financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) to prepare its ground test rigs, including the NG-Turb in Göttingen, for the investigation of climate-compatible fuel and propulsion technologies in aviation (the UpLift project). The focus of the project is on the potential use of hydrogen in engines, the impact of which is also set to be the subject of future investigations in turbine research. The funding is part of the BMWK aviation research programme LuFo Klima, the central government funding instrument supporting the aviation industry on its path to becoming carbon neutral.<h2>Other projects</h2>Another research focus is currently 'hot streak tracking', where researchers measure temperature streaks and their flow through the turbine.<hr><h2>Related links</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/country-sites/northamerica.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rolls-Royce website</a></li><li><a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/products-and-services/civil-aerospace/business-aviation/pearl-10x.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The newest member of the Rolls-Royce Pearl engine family</a></li></ul>

The DLR turbine test facility 'NG-Turb' Future high-performance turbines are being investigated at the Next-Generation Turbine Test Facility (NG-Turb) at the DLR Institute of Propulsion Technology in Göttingen. Credit: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

DLR and Rolls-Royce Deutschland are developing more climate-compatible aircraft engines.

DLR and Rolls-Royce Deutschland develop more climate-compatible aircraft engines

A battery component innovation could help keep power delivery high when electric aircraft land with low charge, according to a study led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory with expertise from the University of Michigan.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1721205836855-electric-aviation-featured.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The research provides a solution <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsenergylett.8b02195" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to a problem identified in 2018</a> in a study led by <a href="https://aero.engin.umich.edu/people/viswanathan-venkat/" target="_blank">Venkat Viswanathan</a>, a professor of aerospace engineering at U-M and a coauthor of the new work published in Joule.&nbsp;“Both takeoff and landing require high power, and landing is more challenging because you’re not fully charged,” Viswanathan said. “To get high power you have to bring all the resistances down. Anything that affects the ability to deliver that power.”The team emphasized that this is distinct from the needs of EV batteries, which mainly need to maintain their ranges.“In an electric vehicle, you focus on capacity fade over time,” said <a href="https://profiles.lbl.gov/232755-youngmin-ko" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Youngmin Ko</a>, a postdoctoral researcher at Berkeley Lab’s <a href="https://foundry.lbl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Foundry</a> and lead author of the Joule study. “But for aircraft, it’s the power fade that’s critical—the ability to consistently achieve high power for takeoff and landing.”<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1721205881180-prop-stand-test.jjpg_.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Tested at the single cell level, the new electrolyte developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory maintains the power-to-energy ratio needed to support electric flight for four times longer than conventional batteries. The next step is for 24M to build the cells into a battery and send them for testing them on And Battery Aero’s propeller stand, running the battery through realistic flight missions. And Battery Aero was co-founded by U-M aerospace engineering associate professor Venkat Viswanathan. Image courtesy of And Battery Aero.Both capacity fade and power fade typically occur when lithium ions can no longer move easily in and out of the electrodes. While the key for capacity fade is the quantity of lithium ions that can move between the electrodes, the main factor for power fade is speed. The problem is that corrosion builds up on the electrodes, taking up space that could have housed lithium ions and making it harder for the lithium to reach available spaces.Under the leadership of <a href="https://foundry.lbl.gov/about/staff/brett-a-helms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brett Helms</a>, corresponding author of the study and a senior staff scientist at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry, the team explored the interactions among the electrodes and electrolyte using an approach borrowed from biology. In studies of life, the field generally called “omics” looks for clues in the constituents of cells—what genes are being read, what proteins are being made, and so on.&nbsp;In this case, the team tried different electrolyte chemistries, looking at subtle changes that occurred within the electrolyte at different locations in the battery during charging and discharging. Prior research has typically attributed power fade to problems arising at the battery’s negative side, as lithium metal is very reactive.&nbsp;However, the team observed that damaging molecules were forming near the positive side—nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide in this case. Reacting with those molecules caused the particles of the positive electrode to crack and corrode over time, hindering the movement of lithium and reducing power delivery.&nbsp;“It was a non-obvious outcome,” Ko said. “We found that mixing salts in the electrolyte could suppress the reactivity of typically reactive species, which formed a stabilizing, corrosion-resistant coating.”The company <a href="https://24-m.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">24M</a> (Cambridge, MA), then built a test cell with this chemistry and sent it to <a href="https://www.and.aero/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">And Battery Aero</a> (Palo Alto, CA)—a startup that Viswanathan co-founded with his former PhD student Shashank Sripad, a co-author of this study and the one from 2018.&nbsp;Sripad tested the cell by repeatedly drawing power from it in a realistic sequence of takeoff, flight and landing, as if the cell were part of a complete battery module powering an electric aircraft. When compared to conventional batteries, the new cell maintained the power-to-energy ratio needed for electric flight for four times longer.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1721205913022-example-electric-aviation-battery.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The next step is for 24M to build the cells into a full-size aviation battery, like the one pictured, for further testing at And Battery Aero. Image courtesy of And Battery Aero.“Heavy transport sectors, including aviation, have been underexplored in terms of electrification,” Helms said. “Our work redefines what’s possible, pushing the boundaries of battery technology to enable deeper decarbonization.”Next, 24M will build a complete battery that And Battery Aero will test on a propeller stand, running the propeller through the flight sequence repeatedly. Then, next year, the team intends to attempt to perform an electric flight test with those batteries.The team—which includes scientists at the University of California, Berkeley—also plans to expand the use of omics in battery research, exploring the interactions of various electrolyte components to further understand and tailor the performance of batteries for current and emerging use-cases in transportation and the grid.&nbsp;The Molecular Foundry is a DOE Office of Science user facility at Berkeley Lab.This work was supported by DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and DOE’s Office of Science (Basic Energy Sciences).&nbsp;Viswanathan and Sripad have a financial interest in And Battery Aero.

Borrowing methods from biology, a team of scientists and engineers designed and tested an electrolyte that keeps battery power delivery high, cycle after cycle.

Electric aviation: Batteries that stay strong for the flight duration

<h2 id="isPasted">Stay at the cutting edge of the aerospace industry</h2>We are pleased to have partnered with <a href="https://www.rocelec.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rochester Electronics</a> to launch the Future-Proofing Aerospace whitepaper.The aerospace industry is continuously evolving, driven by the need to modernize, improve efficiency, and drive down costs. However, as avionics – the electronic systems that power aircraft – continue to advance, the preservation of legacy systems becomes increasingly vital. This whitepaper offers critical insights into the importance of maintaining these systems, the challenges posed by component obsolescence, and the solutions available to navigate these complexities.<h3>Whitepaper highlights:</h3><ol><li>Understand the Importance of Legacy Systems: Discover why preserving legacy avionics systems is crucial for reliability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.</li><li>Navigate Component Obsolescence: Learn about the challenges aerospace designers face due to outdated or discontinued components and how to address them.</li><li>Explore Solutions from Rochester Electronics: Gain insights into how Rochester Electronics specializes in preserving and replicating obsolete components to ensure the continued operation of legacy systems.</li></ol>One of the most pressing threats to the continuity of legacy systems is component obsolescence. Obsolescence occurs when a component is no longer produced, supported, or available from the original manufacturer, rendering it difficult or impossible to procure. This situation poses a significant risk to the ongoing operation and maintenance of aerospace systems, as finding suitable replacements can be challenging and costly.Components can become obsolete for a myriad of different reasons, and often, a confluence of various reasons ultimately renders a component obsolete. Influences such as market trends, technological advancements, and economic pressures all come into play in this unfortunate but unavoidable part of the electronics lifecycle.At Rochester Electronics, we specialize in helping customers navigate the complexities of component obsolescence. Understanding the causes of component obsolescence is necessary for developing effective strategies to mitigate its impact.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzE5NDg1MzQzODczLXJvY2hlc3RlciBtb2NrdXAzLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><iframe src="https://c8056756.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAI58ML_0Jkq9ohSSVMrlfZ0o5Eup39aCZcy3V6OAZo33jakOcLECU6nQ3NIK9BP2kTGzF7l86SWC2L2j4CzrX7ON60erda6KYq1u3fkfZlqfqvx3n-tgHoSgZUr9MPV6ZCTY28OxdOhn8Fe0Sr2_Je6Hij8GIv-S5GMMYtVvFfZS2Eb2YYUeZ97JSsuW5lvaTW-dqGZytjXp" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" allowfullscreen="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 540px; height: 350px;" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true">&nbsp;</iframe><h2 dir="ltr">Tester Platform Evolution</h2>An important aspect of the component manufacturing lifecycle is the testing procedures that confirm product quality and functionality. To this end, component manufacturers employ a variety of specialized testing platforms, which entail complex and expensive equipment. In this context, one of the largest causes of component obsolescence is the obsolescence of the underlying testing platforms.&nbsp;Consider a component first developed in the 1980s. At the time of development, the testing equipment used in the manufacturing process was likely state-of-the-art, meeting the frequency, power, and communication protocol requirements to test the component under test accurately. Fast-forward to today, however, and what was considered state-of-the-art for the testers in the 1980s is likely extremely antiquated.&nbsp;Modern semiconductor devices operate at higher frequencies and lower voltages while employing newly developed communication protocols that didn’t exist in the 1980s[1]. Naturally, a testing platform from antiquity cannot support the testing of new components, and as such, the industry has moved towards newer, more advanced tester platforms. In moving away from legacy tester platforms, the industry also inadvertently pushes legacy components towards obsolescence, as the testing infrastructure needed for manufacturing is no longer supported or economical to maintain. As new tester platforms are often incompatible with legacy components, this incompatibility creates a significant hurdle for maintaining legacy systems. The inability to test these components effectively can lead to increased risks of failures and reduced reliability[2].<h2 dir="ltr">Advances in Silicon Fabrication Processes</h2>In a similar fashion, component obsolescence is often a result of advances in the silicon fabrication processes used for modern components. As semiconductor manufacturers develop more sophisticated and efficient techniques, they introduce new generations of components with enhanced performance, reduced power consumption, and smaller form factors. These new components often lead to the end-of-life (EOL) status for older components because the previous technology cannot compete with the improved capabilities and efficiencies of the new models[3].Additionally, as fabrication processes evolve, the equipment and materials required to manufacture older components become less available, increasing production costs and reducing the economic viability of continuing to produce these outdated parts. Manufacturers are more inclined to shift their resources toward producing newer, more profitable components that align with the latest fabrication technologies.The impact of these advances extends beyond the components themselves. New silicon fabrication processes often necessitate updates in design software, testing protocols, and even supply chain logistics. Companies must adapt their entire ecosystem to accommodate these changes, further accelerating the EOL status of older components incompatible with the new infrastructure.<h2 dir="ltr">Package Obsolescence&nbsp;</h2>Evolution in packaging technology for modern components can often be a driving force in the obsolescence of legacy components[4]. As packaging technologies evolve to meet the demands of modern electronics, such as smaller sizes, better thermal management, and greater power capacity, older packages become less viable, eventually phasing out components that rely on these outdated packages.Packaging advancements are driven by the need for smaller, more efficient, and higher-performing electronic devices. Modern packaging techniques, such as Ball Grid Array (BGA), Chip Scale Package (CSP), and Wafer Level Package (WLP), offer numerous benefits over older methods like Dual In-line Package (DIP) or Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC). These advanced packages enable higher pin counts, better thermal performance, and improved electrical characteristics, all of which are essential for contemporary high-speed and high-density applications.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzE5NDg2ODc1OTM1LXNodXR0ZXJzdG9ja182OTE1NDg1ODMuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">When a new packaging technology is introduced, it often leads to the development of new components designed to take full advantage of the improved performance and miniaturization. This shift renders older packages less attractive, as they cannot match the benefits offered by newer technologies. Consequently, components that rely on older packages become obsolete as demand decreases and manufacturers shift their focus to producing components with modern packaging.Moreover, the transition to new packaging technologies can lead to supply chain and manufacturing challenges. Older packaging equipment and materials may become scarce or more expensive to source and maintain, making it economically unfeasible for manufacturers to continue producing components with outdated packages. This economic pressure accelerates the obsolescence of components using older packaging technologies.<h2 dir="ltr">Economic Factors</h2>Manufacturers may discontinue the production of no longer profitable components, particularly if demand has shifted to newer technologies[5]. Like many others, the aerospace industry is subject to market dynamics that influence the availability of components. As newer, more advanced technologies become prevalent, the demand for older components declines, leading to their obsolescence.A notable variable in this equation is the cost inefficiencies associated with producing small quantities of obsolete components, which can be prohibitive for manufacturers. For instance, maintaining production lines for older components requires significant machinery, tooling, and skilled labor investments. These production lines often need specialized equipment and processes tailored to the specific requirements of the legacy components. As these components age, the machinery and tooling needed to produce them may also become obsolete, requiring costly upgrades or replacements.Additionally, sourcing raw materials for obsolete components can present significant challenges. Materials used in older manufacturing processes may no longer be readily available, or their supply may have dwindled, driving up costs. Manufacturers must navigate these supply chain complexities, often dealing with higher prices for limited quantities of materials. This situation can further erode the profitability of producing obsolete components.Given these economic realities, manufacturers often prioritize the production of components with higher demand and better profit margins. Newer technologies attract larger markets due to their improved performance, enhanced capabilities, and greater efficiency. As a result, manufacturers allocate their resources to developing and producing these advanced components, leaving older technologies behind. This shift in focus accelerates the obsolescence of legacy components as manufacturers gradually phase out their production to concentrate on more lucrative opportunities.<h1 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h1>Component obsolescence is a major threat to the preservation of legacy systems. It is important to fully understand its potential causes to best prepare ourselves to handle the challenges arising from it. At Rochester Electronics, we’ve spent decades helping customers navigate the complexities of component obsolescence across all industries. In the next article in this series, we’ll look deeper at the challenges customers encounter when faced with obsolete components.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">You can learn more about the future-proofing of the aerospace industry by diving into this insightful whitepaper.</h3><h3>Futureproofing Aerospace Whitepaper Highlights:</h3><ol><li>Understand the Importance of Legacy Systems: Discover why preserving legacy avionics systems is crucial for reliability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.</li><li>Navigate Component Obsolescence: Learn about the challenges aerospace designers face due to outdated or discontinued components and how to address them.</li><li>Explore Solutions from Rochester Electronics: Gain insights into how Rochester Electronics specializes in preserving and replicating obsolete components to ensure the continued operation of legacy systems.</li></ol><iframe src="https://c8056756.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAI58ML_0Jkq9ohSSVMrlfZ0o5Eup39aCZcy3V6OAZo33jakOcLECU6nQ3NIK9BP2kTGzF7l86SWC2L2j4CzrX7ON60erda6KYq1u3fkfZlqfqvx3n-tgHoSgZUr9MPV6ZCTY28OxdOhn8Fe0Sr2_Je6Hij8GIv-S5GMMYtVvFfZS2Eb2YYUeZ97JSsuW5lvaTW-dqGZytjXp" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" allowfullscreen="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 540px; height: 350px;" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true">&nbsp;</iframe><h3 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">You can learn more about the future-proofing of the aerospace industry by diving into our related article series.</h3>Read more in the series:<a href="http://the%20importance%20of%20preserving%20legacy%20systems%20in%20avionics/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Article 1: The Importance of Preserving Legacy Systems in Avionics</a><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-causes-of-component-obsolescence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Article 2: The Causes of Component Obsolescence</a><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/customer-challenges-with-obsolete-components" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Article 3: Customer Challenges with Obsolete Components</a>Article 4: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/solving-obsolescence-with-rochester-electronics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Solving Obsolescence with Rochester Electronics</a>Article 5: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/proactive-strategies-for-managing-avionics-obsolescence/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Proactive Strategies for Managing Avionics Obsolescence</a><h1 dir="ltr">References</h1><ol><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://saemobilus.sae.org/papers/integrated-test-platforms-taking-advantage-advances-computer-hardware-software-2005-01-1044" target="_blank">https://saemobilus.sae.org/papers/integrated-test-platforms-taking-advantage-advances-computer-hardware-software-2005-01-1044</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7589645" target="_blank">https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7589645</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5388819/" target="_blank">https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5388819/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/364/1/012095" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/364/1/012095</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/mksc.8.1.35" target="_blank">https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/mksc.8.1.35</a></li></ol>

Futureproofing Aerospace Series. Article #2: Understanding the causes of component obsolescence can help us better prepare for it.

The Causes of Component Obsolescence

Drones are integral to military operations globally, especially in high-risk environments where manned flight is impractical. Learn how to integrate sensors into these devices properly. 

Drone PCBAs: Tackling Sensor Integration for Defense & Beyond

Introducing SKYRON 2, the latest innovation in flying robotic inspection explicitly tailored for the non-destructive testing industry. Building upon SKYRON's visual and contact-based inspection tools, SKYRON 2 offers advanced capabilities for comprehensive assessments. Safety during flight operations is prioritized with SKYRON 2. A full product release on SKYRON 2 will happen later this May.

The latest innovation in inspection flying robots explicitly tailored for the non-destructive testing (NDT) industry.

SKYRON 2 Release

<h1 id="isPasted"> </h1><section>When you hear the word “drone,” you likely imagine an airborne device the size of a hat box that uses propellers to fly and is controlled remotely by someone in the immediate vicinity, perhaps in a park or another open area. Recreational drones like these have become increasingly popular in recent years.But if you expand your definition of drones to include all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ranging from long-range drones used in military applications, to transport vehicles, to insect-sized drones, their potential applications expand exponentially. Imagine commercial airliners without pilots, drones capable of transporting shipping containers like those now delivered by trucks and ships, or even tiny, dexterous drones that fly into narrow gaps like insects.While there are many obstacles for developers to overcome before these innovations can become a reality, the technology is evolving quickly – much faster than you might expect. This blog discusses where the technology currently stands and where it may go.<h2></h2><h3>High-Capacity Drones: Autonomy and Engine Innovations</h3>Scaling up drones to carry larger payloads, fly at higher altitudes, and travel greater distances presents major challenges for developers. Currently, semi- and fully autonomous large-scale drones (classified as UAVs that can carry a payload of greater than 1320 pounds and operate at altitudes greater than 18,000 feet) are most commonly implemented by military organizations to replace aircraft piloted by human operators.Unlike smaller counterparts that rely on electric motors, larger drones use more robust internal combustion or jet engines. Not just a matter of size scaling, this means enhanced efficiency, reduced weight, and optimized fuel consumption, while also delivering precision control crucial in moving large loads.By removing the human pilot and the various systems needed to support him, most large-scale drones are lighter and are usually built from lighter materials like plastics or carbon fibers. This increases the range of the vehicle. It can also reduce engine weight without compromising strength.This is especially true for high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones. HALE drones must stay airborne for extended periods, sometimes days, at various altitudes and temperatures, and are often solar-powered. They are ideally suited for reconnaissance. In 2021, the U.S. Forest Service began testing HALE drones to locate and fight wildfires.However, UAVs that operate at higher altitudes have more difficulty dissipating heat in the thinner atmosphere where they fly. <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/blog/overview-pcba-manufacturing-processes-technologies/" target="_blank">Printed circuit boards</a> for larger UAVs require additional heat transfer and use additional metal to connect to heat sinks to maximize performance at higher altitudes. This must be taken into consideration at the design stage. Simulating heat generation, flow, and dissipation in the development process is a valuable tool for these types of designs.In terms of operational control, remotely piloted ICE (internal combustion engine) or jet aircraft aren’t significantly different from their traditional onboard piloted counterparts. A human operator guides the drone from a station with controls and monitors that are similar to the ones in airplane cockpits while cameras and radar-based imaging systems provide the visuals.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1714573625993-1714573625993.png" alt="Drone carrying package" class="fr-fic fr-dii">“Flying cars,” or “air taxis,” are already a reality, with China approving the first self-driving air taxi late in 2023. <a href="https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis" target="_blank">Similar air taxis are being planned in the USA</a>, though they will initially require a pilot on board for safety.However, a significant hurdle in designing UAVs for human transportation or valuable cargo lies in bridging the information gap. While current sensors can track weather conditions, altitude, and airspeed, they cannot do so with the speed and sensitivity necessary. Onboard pilots can sense subtle changes in an aircraft’s behavior intuitively, a nuance challenging to replicate with sensors. By 2030, 6G wireless networks should significantly alleviate this issue by enabling ultra-low latency and improved data reliability, enhancing sensor responsiveness.Lastly, many UAVs today boast semi-autonomous features like the ability to return to their starting point unaided. Autonomous or semi-autonomous flight software must be capable of dynamically adjusting flight paths in response to changing conditions, akin to how commercial airline pilots maneuver to avoid turbulence. This capability underscores the ongoing evolution and increasing sophistication of UAV technology in adapting to complex operational environments.<h2></h2><h3>Compact Drone Engineering: Revolutionizing Small-Scale UAVs</h3><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1714573626104-1714573626104.png" alt="Compact drone engineering" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Every drone, from super large to shoe-box sized, relies on motors or engines to propel itself. In contrast to making drones larger, which requires increasing their power while reducing their overall weight, making them smaller necessitates removing motors altogether.Using actuators to mimic how an insect flaps its wings plays a role in “micro drone” design. Early versions of this technology used ceramic materials to conduct and store electricity, but their inherent fragility made them unsuitable for repeated use.The most recent innovations implement soft actuators composed of rubber cylinders surrounded by carbon nanotubes. Applying voltage causes the rubber cylinders to expand and contract repetitively and at high frequency (as much as 500 times per second), causing the drone “wings” to flap up and down.These tiny drones, with their soft actuators, are resilient and capable of withstanding mid-air collisions, making them suitable for various tasks, including agricultural monitoring and pollination. Future uses may include structural inspection, search and rescue, surveillance, and data collection.<a href="https://www.macrofab.com/prototyping/" target="_blank">PCB designs</a> for smaller, more malleable devices have to consider factors like weight, rigidity, and resistance to impact and vibration. As in the case of larger UAVs, software simulation to test mechanical reliability in smaller UAVs is a valuable development tool.<h2></h2><h3>The Future of UAVs Great and Small</h3>In the future, UAV commercial passenger flights or large material transport using entirely autonomous flights still have some design challenges to overcome. Regulations, however, are more likely to hinder their long-term progress. Like self-driving cars, the adjustment period will require examining and discussing the risks and rationale of flying without a human pilot, with safety always taking precedence.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1714573626041-1714573626041.png" alt="Uav future" class="fr-fic fr-dii">On a smaller scale, however, UAVs may have more immediate practical applications. With micro drones with cameras that relay images back to a human operator, inspecting intricate mechanisms is possible in small spaces that are otherwise impossible to reach without dismantling the entire mechanism, such as industrial motors or airplane engines. Drones can even be used during natural disasters to locate missing or injured people who cannot be reached by rescue workers.As UAVs shrink and grow, it will alter how we define them. Along with providing previously difficult-to-obtain images and delivering small payloads, UAVs will become a practical and labor-saving alternative to traditional means of transportation, cultivation, and commerce.</section><h3>Need UAV PCBAs Manufactured?</h3><a href="https://www.macrofab.com/pcba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out MacroFab’s PCBA production services</a>

UAV technology continues to expand and become increasingly sophisticated. 

The Future of UAV Design: Very Big and Very Small

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Aviation

Fig 1 - Printed Circuit Board Chips and Radio Components

Unveiling the Duel of Digital Design - A Comprehensive Exploration of History, Syntax, and Applications of the two popular hardware description languages

Verilog vs VHDL: A Comprehensive Comparison

In this article, we will dive deep into the world of simultaneous localization and mapping using Lidar technology. Lidar SLAM has been gaining popularity in recent years, thanks to its versatility and applications across various domains, including autonomous vehicles, mobile robotics, and indoor mapping.

Lidar SLAM: The Ultimate Guide to Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

Aviation

Profiles