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

<a href="https://www.projectceti.org/" target="_blank">Project CETI</a> (Cetacean Translation Initiative) aims to collect millions to billions of high-quality, highly contextualized vocalizations in order to understand how sperm whales communicate. But finding the whales and knowing where they will surface to capture the data is challenging — making it difficult to attach listening devices and collect visual information.&nbsp;Today, a Project CETI research team led by&nbsp;<a href="https://gil.seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Stephanie Gil</a>, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), have proposed a new reinforcement learning framework with autonomous drones to find sperm whales and predict where they will surface.&nbsp;The research is published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adn7299" target="_blank">Science Robotics.&nbsp;</a>This new study uses various sensing devices, such as Project CETI aerial drones with very high frequency (VHF) signal sensing capability that leverage signal phase along with the drone’s motion to emulate an ‘antenna array in air’ for estimating directionality of received pings from CETI’s on-whale tags. It demonstrates that it’s possible to predict when and where a whale may surface by using these various sensor data as well as predictive models of sperm whales dive behavior. With that information, Project CETI can now design algorithms for the most efficient route for a drone to rendezvous—or encounter—a whale at the surface. This also opens up possible conservation applications to help ships avoid striking whales while at the surface.Presenting the Autonomous Vehicles for whAle Tracking And Rendezvous by remote Sensing, or AVATARS framework, this study jointly develops two interrelated components of autonomy and sensing: autonomy, which determines the positioning commands of the autonomous robots to maximize visual whale encounters; and sensing, which measures the Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) from whale tags to inform the decision-making process. Measurements from our autonomous drone to surfaced tags, acoustic AOA from existing underwater sensors, and whale motion models from previous biological studies of sperm whales are provided as inputs to the AVATARS autonomous decision-making algorithm, which in turn aims to minimize missed rendezvous opportunities with whales.&nbsp;AVATARS is the first co-development of VHF sensing and reinforcement learning decision-making for maximizing rendezvous of robots and whales at sea. A well-known application of time-critical rendezvous is used with rideshare apps, which uses real-time sensing to note the dynamic paths and positions of drivers and potential riders. When a rider requests a ride, it can assign a driver to rendezvous with the rider as efficiently and as timely as possible. Project CETI’s case is similar in that they are real-time tracking the whale, with the goal of coordinating the drone’s rendezvous to meet the whale at the surface.&nbsp;This research advances Project CETI's goal of obtaining millions to billions of high-quality, highly contextualized whale vocalizations. The addition of diverse types of data will improve location estimates and routing algorithms—helping Project CETI meet that goal more efficiently.“I’m excited to contribute to this breakthrough for Project CETI. By leveraging autonomous systems and advanced sensor integration, we’re able to solve key challenges in tracking and studying whales in their natural habitats. This is not only a technological advancement, but also a critical step in helping us understand the complex communications and behaviors of these creatures,” said Gil. “This research is a major milestone for Project CETI’s mission. We can now significantly enhance our ability to gather high-quality and large-scale dataset on whale vocalizations and the associated behavioral context, putting us one step closer to better listening to and translating what sperm whales are saying,” said David Gruber, Founder and Lead of Project CETI.“'This research was an amazing opportunity to test our systems and algorithms in a challenging marine environment. This interdisciplinary work, that combines wireless sensing, artificial intelligence and marine biology, is a prime example of how robotics can be part of the solution for further deciphering the social behavior of sperm whales,” said&nbsp;Ninad Jadhav, Harvard University PhD candidate and first author on the paper.“This project provides an excellent opportunity to test our algorithms in the field, where robotics and artificial intelligence can enrich data collection and expedite research for broader science in language processing and marine biology, ultimately protecting the health and habitat of sperm whales,” said Sushmita Bhattacharya, a postdoctoral researcher in Gil's REACT Lab at SEAS.

Project CETI and Harvard have established a new reinforcement learning framework for rendezvous with whales using autonomous robots, combining sensing from diverse sensor streams

New methods for whale tracking and rendezvous using autonomous robots

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

<h3 id="isPasted">Rooster Drone: Revolutionizing Search-and-Rescue and Tactical Operations</h3>In the ever-evolving field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Rooster drone by Robotican stands out as a groundbreaking solution for search-and-rescue, tactical, and security operations. Engineered to be an agile, resilient, and intelligent UAV, the Rooster drone’s core capabilities enable it to perform in high-risk environments, making it an invaluable asset for defense forces and emergency response teams worldwide. Let's dive into the technical specifications and capabilities that make this drone a true innovation.<h4>Flight In Complex Environments</h4>Built to operate in GPS-denied environments. This system is particularly advantageous in environments with compromised visibility or structural instability, such as collapsed buildings or booby-trapped spaces.The Rooster’s AI-driven algorithms enable it to dynamically adapt to changing environments, This capability allows the Rooster to minimize risks to personnel, providing crucial data in situations where human entry would be too dangerous.<h4>Durable Design and Resilience</h4>Designed with operational durability in mind, the Rooster drone’s rugged frame and flexible, shock-absorbent materials give it the resilience needed for both indoor and outdoor operations. Unlike conventional drones that may be vulnerable in confined spaces, the Rooster’s robust body structure and flexible propeller guards ensure it can recover quickly after minor collisions, allowing it to continue its mission uninterrupted.Additionally, the Rooster’s compact design enables it to enter narrow passageways and navigate tight spaces—a significant advantage in scenarios where traditional, larger drones would be hindered. <img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1731312571642-Rooster+for+article.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h4>Real-Time Data Transmission and Advanced Sensing Capabilities</h4>Equipped with high-definition cameras, thermal imaging, and variable sensors the Rooster is capable of delivering real-time visual and thermal data to operators on the ground. This multi-sensory data provides a comprehensive view of the operational environment, enabling better decision-making under high-pressure situations. Those features are particularly useful for operations in dimly lit or smoke-filled rooms where visibility is otherwise compromised.<h4>Simplified User Interface and Intuitive Control</h4>Robotican has designed the Rooster with an intuitive user interface that simplifies control for operators with varied technical backgrounds. The system’s interface can be accessed on standard tablets or laptops, providing a real-time, high-definition feed and mission controls. Operators can quickly command the drone with straightforward commands or set it on an autonomous route using its way-point navigation system. <img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1731313531966-For+article.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">For defense applications, this ease of use translates to faster deployment and reduced training time. The Rooster’s controls are designed to be highly responsive, making it a powerful tool in fast-paced tactical scenarios where every second counts.<h4>Compact and Ready for Rapid Deployment</h4>The Rooster drone’s portability and readiness make it an ideal solution for situations requiring rapid deployment. With a fast setup time, it can be operational within minutes, significantly reducing the time between arrival on the scene and the commencement of the mission.Weighing under a few kilograms, the Rooster is compact enough to be carried in a backpack and deployed by a single operator. This lightweight design, combined with its modularity, allows for easy transport and swift adjustments based on mission requirements.<h4>Applications Across Diverse Operational Needs</h4>The versatility of the Rooster drone allows it to support a wide range of operations. From search-and-rescue missions in disaster-stricken areas to surveillance tasks in military and police operations, its capabilities serve as a force multiplier for teams in the field. In recent military applications, the Rooster has demonstrated its unique ability to identify threats, such as detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in potentially hostile environments, saving lives and improving operational outcomes.Its usage has also extended to various emergency services, with fire departments and other first responders deploying the Rooster in challenging situations where human lives are at risk. The drone’s ability to rapidly scan a building for survivors or detect hotspots in a fire scenario has proven invaluable, showcasing its adaptability and life-saving potential.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The Rooster drone by Robotican exemplifies the future of autonomous drones in high-stakes environments. Its combination of autonomous navigation, durability, advanced sensing, and rapid deployment capabilities equips it to handle the complexities of modern tactical, rescue, and surveillance operations. Whether deployed by defense forces or emergency responders, the Rooster is setting new standards for UAV performance, reliability, and mission success.As the demand for resilient, autonomous solutions grows, the Rooster drone is poised to become an essential asset in the operational toolkit of those on the frontlines, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with unmanned aerial technology.

A Hybrid Robotic Drone Engineered for Precision and Resilience in High-Stakes Tactical and Search-and-Rescue Operation

Rooster Drone: Revolutionizing Search-and-Rescue and Tactical Operations

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

<section id="isPasted">The global push for renewable energy is undeniable. Fueled by a potent combination of international cooperation and escalating climate concerns, renewable energy is experiencing a surge. At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in December 2023, over 130 countries committed to tripling renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030. Underscoring this commitment, GWEC Market Intelligence projects a significant expansion of 791 GW of new wind energy capacity in the next five years under current policies. With a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/electric-power-and-natural-gas/our-insights/offshore-wind-strategies-for-uncertain-times" target="_blank">vast theoretical potential of up to 70,000 GW</a> according to recent data shared by McKinsey, offshore wind is poised for significant growth.However, maintaining these colossal turbines, often located miles out at sea, presents a unique set of challenges. Traditional manual inspection methods relying on industrial climbers are risky, time-consuming, and expensive. This is where drone technology steps in, offering a game-changing solution for offshore wind turbine inspections.<h2>Safety First: Reducing Worker Risk</h2>Inspecting offshore wind turbines exposes workers to many dangers. From falls from heights and electrical shock to the perils of working in confined spaces, the risks are considerable. With ever-increasing turbine heights, like GE's Haliade-X reaching a staggering 850 feet, these hazards become even more pronounced.Drone solutions can solve these challenges in a transformative way. By eliminating the need for human climbers, drones significantly enhance safety and reduce the risk of accidents. Additionally, drones can conduct inspections more frequently, enabling the early detection of potential issues and preventing costly downtime through more regular inspections.<h2>Enhanced Efficiency: Faster, More Cost-effective Inspections</h2>Time is money, especially in the offshore wind industry. Traditional inspections take hours, impacting turbine operations and productivity. Drones significantly reduce inspection time. Studies suggest a potential 80% reduction in inspection time compared to manual methods, leading to substantial cost savings.Furthermore, drones offer a more comprehensive inspection approach. They can reach previously inaccessible areas and provide detailed, high-resolution images for thorough analysis. This allows for the identification of even minor defects before they become major problems, preventing costly downtime and repairs.<h2>Technological Advancements: A Look at the Cutting Edge</h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729194076738-1729194076738.png" alt="1turbine8923475 copy" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Drone technology constantly evolves, offering advanced solutions for wind turbine inspections. Here are some key areas of progress:<ul><li>Mobile Thermography: These drones use thermal imaging sensors to detect variations in heat flow across turbine blades. Areas with structural defects will show up as cooler spots, allowing for early detection of damage before it becomes critical.</li><li>Lidar Inspections: Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology provides visual inspections using high-resolution, 3D images of the turbine blades. While these inspections require slower, closer flybys, advancements in battery technology increases flight time, allowing drones to complete inspections of all blades without a recharge.</li></ul>However, the offshore wind industry has recently faced challenges. Stakeholders have expressed concerns over a high rate of project cancellations following significant cost increases. Despite these setbacks, the long-term potential of offshore wind remains substantial, and the industry is actively seeking innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles.Drones play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by optimizing operations and reducing costs. By collecting vast amounts of data, drones enable predictive maintenance strategies, allowing operators to schedule maintenance proactively, allocate resources efficiently, and extend turbine lifespan.Learn more about <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/blog/drone-pcba-tackling-sensor-integration/" target="_blank">sensor integration in drones</a> now.<h2>Data-Driven Decisions: Empowering Predictive Maintenance</h2>Drones collect a wealth of valuable data during inspections. High-resolution images, thermal readings, and 3D point cloud data from Lidar scans can be analyzed using sophisticated software. This data allows for the creation of digital twins – virtual replicas of the turbines – that can be used to predict potential problems before they occur.Predictive maintenance, enabled by drone data, empowers wind farm operators to:<ul><li>Schedule maintenance proactively: Instead of waiting for a turbine to fail, inspections can be targeted based on the collected data, optimizing maintenance schedules and reducing downtime.</li><li>Optimize resource allocation: By identifying specific areas of concern, resources can be directed efficiently, reducing overall maintenance costs.</li><li>Extend turbine lifespan: Early detection and repair of minor issues can prevent them from escalating into major problems, ultimately extending the turbine’s lifespan.</li></ul><h2>A Collaborative Approach: Humans and Drones Working Together</h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729194076496-1729194076496.png" alt="2turbine498yhud copy" class="fr-fic fr-dii">While drones offer significant advantages, they cannot replace human expertise completely. A successful drone inspection program thrives on a collaborative approach:<ul><li>Skilled Drone Pilots: Experienced pilots are essential for safe and efficient operation in challenging offshore environments. Their expertise in navigating wind conditions and maneuvering around turbines ensures the integrity of the data collected.</li><li>Data Analysts: The vast amount of data collected by drones requires skilled data analysts. These professionals interpret the data, identify trends, and generate actionable insights for wind farm operators.</li><li>Maintenance Crews: Once potential issues arise, human technicians remain vital for repairs and maintenance activities. Drones provide the initial assessment, but human expertise is crucial for addressing the identified problems.</li></ul>This collaborative approach leverages the strengths of both humans and machines. Drones handle the high-risk and repetitive aspects of inspections, while human expertise focuses on analysis, decision-making, and the complex tasks requiring manual intervention.<h2>Challenges and Considerations</h2>While drone technology offers immense benefits, there are still challenges to overcome. High winds significantly impact drone maneuverability and control, requiring experienced operators familiar with the specific challenges of flying around wind turbines. Salt spray from the ocean also affects drone components, making regular maintenance crucial.Successful drone inspection programs emphasize careful planning and preparation. Autonomous flight capabilities minimize operator error and allow for precise control, especially in challenging weather conditions.<h2>The Role of PCBAs in Drone Technology</h2><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1729194076109-1729194076109.png" alt="3turbine98tuo copy" class="fr-fic fr-dii">The widespread adoption of drones for offshore wind turbine inspections underscores the critical role of <a href="https://www.macrofab.com/pcba/" target="_blank">Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs)</a> in this rapidly growing industry. PCBAs serve as the "brain" of drones, integrating essential components like sensors, processors, and communication systems. These intricate boards enable drones to navigate complex environments, capture high-resolution images, and transmit data efficiently.As drone technology advances, the demand for more sophisticated PCBAs increases. Features such as enhanced processing power, miniaturization, and improved durability are essential for meeting the rigorous demands of offshore wind turbine inspections. Reliable and high-performance PCBAs are crucial for ensuring safe and efficient drone operation, ultimately contributing to the success of the offshore wind industry.<h2>The Future of Offshore Wind: A Symbiosis of Man and Machine</h2>The synergy between drones and advanced PCBAs is driving innovation in offshore wind turbine inspections. As the industry continues to expand, the development of cutting-edge PCBAs will be instrumental in maximizing the potential of drone technology and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future.</section><h4>Need high-quality PCBAs for your next drone build?</h4><a href="https://factory.macrofab.com/quick_quote/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=none" target="_blank">Get an instant quote now</a><section><h5> </h5></section>

Learn how reliable and high-performance PCBAs are crucial for ensuring safe and efficient drone operation, ultimately contributing to the success of the offshore wind industry.

How Drones are Transforming Offshore Wind Turbine Inspections

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

Discover how Deep Trekker’s enhanced 4K camera overcomes traditional challenges involved with underwater photography and inspections. 

How Deep Trekker Solves Underwater Photography Challenges

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

There’s a buzz around Kelowna these days.Well, actually, there are two kinds of buzz. The first is the occasional faint sound of a small but smart drone, carrying out flights every two weeks over two separate orchards. These orchards grow peaches, pears, cherries and more.And the other buzz? Well, that’s the discussion this special two-year project – a collaboration between InDro Robotics and the City of Kelowna (enabled with funding from BC Agriculture) – is generating among farmers in the region.“Technology is always getting bigger and better,” says Riley Johnson, a manager at Byrnes Farms – one of the two locations where the project is being carried out. Johnson is an experienced farmer, and the land has been in the hands of his wife’s family for five generations. He knows the land and crops well, but is curious to see what additional data can be gathered.“Anything in agriculture, the more information you get, you’re not going to be worse off. Especially for new farmers coming into the industry, any new kind of information can help out ten-fold – particularly if you’re on new land. Any information outside of the Old Farmer’s Almanac is always appreciated.”What InDro is doing, to the best of our knowledge, is a type of precision agriculture that hasn’t been carried out before. It combines data acquisition from both drones and ground robots to ensure the most robust and reliable data possible.This data is then used to assess overall vegetation health. Are there indications of pests in certain areas? Are any plants indicating low levels of chlorophyl? Does it look like that patch needs some pesticide – or maybe additional watering?These are important questions for farmers whose livelihoods depend on maximizing the yield and health of their crops.And this project? It’s all about finding the answers – and implementing solutions. Those solutions will include precision spraying of nutrients or other compounds in the precise location where they are required. The end result should be maximum yields with minimal – or no – areas of unhealthy crops.Below: Healthy pears growing at Byrnes Farm. Photo courtesy Riley Johnson<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5MDI0Njk0LWltYWdlMDAwMDAxIDIuSlBHIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h3 id="isPasted">An Introduction</h3>Before we get into all the details, it’s worth introducing you to Dr. Eric Saczuk (assuming you haven’t already met). He’s our Chief of Flight Operations – and comes with some serious chops.Eric holds a PhD in Remote Sensing. He’s been assessing vegetation health (among many other things) using satellite data since the early days – long before drones came on the scene. But when drones did come on the scene, he quickly recognized their potential for the acquisition and interpretation of multiple kinds of data. He has flown missions all over the world on behalf of InDro, all involving complex data and analysis.But that’s not all. He’s been an instructor at the <a href="https://www.bcit.ca/" target="_blank">British Columbia Institute of Technology</a> since 2003 and has been the director of the institute’s <a href="https://www.bcit.ca/learning-teaching-centre/remotely-piloted-aircraft-systems/about-rpas-bcit/" target="_blank">RPAS Hub</a> since 2016. He’s divided his time between BCIT and InDro since 2018 and is our go-to for highly complex operations. He’s also carried out multiple missions to acquire data for projects undertaken by Canada’s National Research Council – including <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/indro-robotics-flies-in-urban-wind-tunnels-for-national-research-council-project/" target="_blank">this fascinating research</a> on urban wind tunnels. There’s likely not a more qualified person in the country when it comes to drones and data.Below: Dr. Eric Saczuk on an InDro mission. Image by Scott Simmie<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5MDU5ODQxLURTQ0Y3MDQyLXNjYWxlZC5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <h3 id="isPasted">The Project</h3>Okay. You’ve most likely heard of precision agriculture by now. When it comes to drones, most of us picture something like this: A drone with a multispectral camera flies over a field of wheat or some other crop. That multispectral camera captures spectrums of light both visible and invisible to the human eye. When that data is crunched, it provides a detailed picture of crop health (we’ll explore more of this shortly).In collaboration with the City of Kelowna and local farmers, we’ve been flying a mission every two weeks over two separate fruit orchards. We use a drone with a special type of camera. It has five lenses. One of those lenses simply captures RGB (or simply, colour) images. But the other four have filters that are tuned to pick up light only within specific spectrums that can be collectively analyzed to indicate the health of vegetation.“So in addition to the RGB camera, you’d have one camera capturing just red reflected light, one capturing just green reflected light using filters, and then the other two are what we call red edge and near-infrared,” says Dr. Saczuk.Red edge is particularly useful in the early detection of disease or stress in plants – as it is highly reflected by healthy chlorophyl. But the real magic happens when you take the data captured in these different light wavelengths of light and run some calculations on them. That’s what gives you the bigger picture.“Think of each of these images as a number. Capturing these multiple spectral bands allows you to combine them using complex equations in a type of calculator to give you various indicators of vegetation health,” he says.That data can answer a lot of questions.“Is it healthy? Is it not healthy? Is it being productive? Is there chlorophyll? If so, how active is it?” he says.“These are the kinds of questions we can answer when we do what we call ‘multispectral band combinations.’ And it gives us a really clear picture that cannot be detected by the human eye.” <h3>A Closer Look</h3>We’re going to take a look at an image in a moment.Before we get there, though, it’s worth exploring something Eric said earlier. He mentioned complex math. He’s right. The math happens at the individual pixel level between each of the input bands and there are millions of pixels per band. The most common calculation is used to produce a result called NDVI (not be be confused with NVIDIA, the producer of AI chipsets). The acronym stands for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. And once the math is done, it gives you an accurate picture of vegetation health.NDVI is calculated by using near infrared (NIR) and red bands (you’ll see the formula below).The resulting pixel number in an NDVI image, will always be between -1 and +1. The higher the number, the better the health. If the number is low, it means there’s something worth looking at. The NDVI provides a detailed look at crop health and while it is regarded as the gold standard, there are also other calculations that can drill down to more specific indicators of vegetation health.Below: Healthy vegetation absorbs most of the visible light that hits it, reflecting a large&nbsp;portion&nbsp;of the near-infrared spectrum. Unhealthy or sparse vegetation (right) reflects more visible light and less near-infrared light. When you do the math, it yields a lower NDVI number. (Public domain image by Robert Simmon.)The second image is the equation used to calculate NDVI (which explains what those numbers are at the bottom of the first image).<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5MTg3Nzc0LU5kdmlfZXhhbXBsZS5qcGcud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <h3 id="isPasted">From Data to Decisions</h3>Using the equation above (as well as other formulas), Dr. Saczuk turns all of that data into something both meaningful and actionable. (He’s speaking here in general terms about the project’s goals – not about any specific farm.)“So we’ve got that data, that information that’s saying, ‘Hey, these trees were actually not doing well.’ And then the next question is, OK, can we see anything in the multi-spectral images that would indicate that these trees are somehow spectrally or reflecting light differently than the ones that are healthy?”By looking at the data – and calculating not just NDVI but other indexes, images are generated that provide an at-a-glance look at crop health.Traditionally, this has been a hugely time-consuming task involving multiple steps (and plenty of processing) on a laptop. Now, new tools are available that streamline the process. Dr. Saczuk is using&nbsp;a cloud-based solution specifically for precision agriculture.“It really makes the whole process very efficient – because not only does it do the photogrammetry on the images, stitches them into these orthomosaics, but it also gives you the tools with which to analyse them. This would typically be a multi-step process, but this software makes it a one-stop shop, which is really nice.”That’s without even getting into some of the AI capabilities of the software. It can, for example, count all the trees in a given orchard – and even give you the elevation of a specific tree.Below: An NDVI image of one of the farms in the Kelowna project.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5NDM0MzU1LVNjcmVlbnNob3QtMjAyNC0wOC0wMS1hdC0xMi4xNy41My1QTS5wbmcgY29weS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <h3 id="isPasted">Now What?</h3>At this phase of the project, InDro is gathering data by drone alone. But as it progresses, two more things will happen: We will introduce ground robots and precision spraying.The plan is that a ground robot will initially be fitted with the same kind of multispectral sensor used by the drone. Autonomous missions will be plotted and the robot will capture a series of images from the ground as it drives through the orchard. That data will be crunched and compared with the results captured from the air.“This is a way of doing ground-based validation of what we’re seeing from the air, from the aerial images of the drones,” says Dr. Saczuk.&nbsp;Once that validation is complete and if problem areas are detected, the next phase would involve precision spraying – which could be carried out by an <a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/heavy-lift-agras-drone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AGRAS agricultural drone</a> – or even potentially by ground robot. Because all of the data is georeferenced, that means the fertilizer (or possibly pesticide or herbicide, depending on the issue) can be precisely applied to only the required locations. That, of course, is where the term Precision Agriculture comes from. <h3>Vice-Versa</h3>This project is data-driven, with aerial and ground acquisition. But at the outset, shortly after our initial flight in April of 2024, farmer Riley Johnson noticed that a couple of trees weren’t doing well. It wasn’t clear what was causing this failure to thrive, but he didn’t want to take any chances that a potential disease might spread further in the orchard. So those trees were taken down.In this case, because the issue was spotted early and the location was known, Dr. Saczuk is quite interested in doing some deep drilling into the data at that spot. In fact, that’s the very issue he has recently been exploring.“So we’ve got that data, that information that’s saying, ‘Hey, these trees were actually not doing well.’ And then the next question is: Can we see anything in the multi-spectral images that would indicate that these trees are somehow spectrally or reflecting light differently than the ones that are healthy?”This is something that is also of particular interest to Johnson. Will the data reflect what years of experience indicated was a problem to his naked eye?“As the season progresses, it will be really interesting to see what InDro comes up with,” he says. “But I can definitely see the value of this for someone just getting into farming, or for farms up the hills with new plantings, new growth. This could be very useful.”Below: Another image of a Kelowna orchard from this project, showing elevation<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzIyNjE5NTkxMzMxLVNjcmVlbnNob3QtMjAyNC0wOC0wMS1hdC0xMi4xOS4yNy1QTS5wbmcgY29weS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h3 id="isPasted">InDro's Take</h3>We’ve been involved with precision agriculture projects in the past. In fact, we pioneered a “<a href="https://indrorobotics.ca/indros-drone-in-a-box-offers-precision-agriculture/" target="_blank">drone-in-a-box</a>‘ solution, where we’ve shipped a drone to farmers. We talk them through the process of being a visual observer, then instruct them on how to power up the drone. InDro then carries out the flight remotely, using 4G or 5G – while in constant contact with the observer. When it’s done, the farmer puts the drone in the box and sends it back. InDro carries out the data analysis and quickly sends an easy-to-understand report indicating what areas require attention – and what kind of attention they require.But this project is very different, and exciting for multiple reasons.“The bi-weekly flights by drone will provide a huge amount of timely data, enabling us to detect any potential problems at an early stage,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “But by adding robots to validate from the ground, we’ll have a more robust dataset that can be used to truly pinpoint areas of concern and which may require precision spraying. We are going to learn a lot with this project – and believe our findings will be of great benefit to farmers down the road.”A final note. When Dr. Saczuk isn’t carrying out these flights, they’re being flown by a new addition to the InDro team, &nbsp;Jon Chubb. He’s already had interest from other farmers in the Okanogan who are eager to maximize their own yields and have an early detection system for any trouble spots. If you’re in that neck of the woods and would like to arrange a demo, you can contact Jon <a href="mailto:jon.chubb@indrorobotics.com" target="_blank">here</a>.

Kelowna Precision Agriculture Project

Drones and Ground Robots for Precision Agriculture

Neural networks have made a seismic impact on how engineers design controllers for robots, catalyzing more adaptive and efficient machines. Still, these brain-like machine-learning systems are a double-edged sword: Their complexity makes them powerful, but it also makes it difficult to guarantee that a robot powered by a neural network will safely accomplish its task. The traditional way to verify safety and stability is through techniques called Lyapunov functions. If you can find a Lyapunov function whose value consistently decreases, then you can know that unsafe or unstable situations associated with higher values will never happen. For robots controlled by neural networks, though, prior approaches for verifying Lyapunov conditions didn’t scale well to complex machines.Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and elsewhere have now developed new techniques that rigorously certify Lyapunov calculations in more elaborate systems. Their algorithm efficiently searches for and verifies a Lyapunov function, providing a stability guarantee for the system. This approach could potentially enable safer deployment of robots and autonomous vehicles, including aircraft and spacecraft.To outperform previous algorithms, the researchers found a frugal shortcut to the training and verification process. They generated cheaper counterexamples — for example, adversarial data from sensors that could’ve thrown off the controller — and then optimized the robotic system to account for them. Understanding these edge cases helped machines learn how to handle challenging circumstances, which enabled them to operate safely in a wider range of conditions than previously possible. Then, they developed a novel verification formulation that enables the use of a scalable neural network verifier, α,β-CROWN, to provide rigorous worst-case scenario guarantees beyond the counterexamples.“We’ve seen some impressive empirical performances in AI-controlled machines like humanoids and robotic dogs, but these AI controllers lack the formal guarantees that are crucial for safety-critical systems,” says Lujie Yang, MIT electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) PhD student and CSAIL affiliate who is a co-lead author of a new paper on the project alongside Toyota Research Institute researcher Hongkai Dai SM ’12, PhD ’16. “Our work bridges the gap between that level of performance from neural network controllers and the safety guarantees needed to deploy more complex neural network controllers in the real world,” notes Yang.For a digital demonstration, the team simulated how a quadrotor drone with lidar sensors would stabilize in a two-dimensional environment. Their algorithm successfully guided the drone to a stable hover position, using only the limited environmental information provided by the lidar sensors. In two other experiments, their approach enabled the stable operation of two simulated robotic systems over a wider range of conditions: an inverted pendulum and a path-tracking vehicle. These experiments, though modest, are relatively more complex than what the neural network verification community could have done before, especially because they included sensor models. “Unlike common machine learning problems, the rigorous use of neural networks as Lyapunov functions requires solving hard global optimization problems, and thus scalability is the key bottleneck,” says Sicun Gao, associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California at San Diego, who wasn’t involved in this work. “The current work makes an important contribution by developing algorithmic approaches that are much better tailored to the particular use of neural networks as Lyapunov functions in control problems. It achieves impressive improvement in scalability and the quality of solutions over existing approaches. The work opens up exciting directions for further development of optimization algorithms for neural Lyapunov methods and the rigorous use of deep learning in control and robotics in general.”Yang and her colleagues’ stability approach has potential wide-ranging applications where guaranteeing safety is crucial. It could help ensure a smoother ride for autonomous vehicles, like aircraft and spacecraft. Likewise, a drone delivering items or mapping out different terrains could benefit from such safety guarantees.The techniques developed here are very general and aren’t just specific to robotics; the same techniques could potentially assist with other applications, such as biomedicine and industrial processing, in the future. While the technique is an upgrade from prior works in terms of scalability, the researchers are exploring how it can perform better in systems with higher dimensions. They’d also like to account for data beyond lidar readings, like images and point clouds.As a future research direction, the team would like to provide the same stability guarantees for systems that are in uncertain environments and subject to disturbances. For instance, if a drone faces a strong gust of wind, Yang and her colleagues want to ensure it’ll still fly steadily and complete the desired task.&nbsp; Also, they intend to apply their method to optimization problems, where the goal would be to minimize the time and distance a robot needs to complete a task while remaining steady. They plan to extend their technique to humanoids and other real-world machines, where a robot needs to stay stable while making contact with its surroundings. Russ Tedrake, the Toyota Professor of EECS, Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Mechanical Engineering at MIT, vice president of robotics research at TRI, and CSAIL member, is a senior author of this research. The paper also credits University of California at Los Angeles PhD student Zhouxing Shi and associate professor Cho-Jui Hsieh, as well as University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign assistant professor Huan Zhang. Their work was supported, in part, by Amazon, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the AI2050 program at Schmidt Sciences. The researchers’ paper will be presented at the 2024 International Conference on Machine Learning.

MIT CSAIL researchers helped design a new technique that can guarantee the stability of robots controlled by neural networks. This development could eventually lead to safer autonomous vehicles and industrial robots. Image: Alex Shipps/MIT CSAIL

Neural network controllers provide complex robots with stability guarantees, paving the way for the safer deployment of autonomous vehicles and industrial machines.

Creating and verifying stable AI-controlled systems in a rigorous and flexible way

FLIR-Fri Jun 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

FLIR-Mon Jul 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

FLIR-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

FLIR-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

FLIR-Sat Sep 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Cloud Ground Control-Fri Jun 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Cloud Ground Control-Mon Jul 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Cloud Ground Control-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Cloud Ground Control-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Cloud Ground Control-Sat Sep 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nexperia-Fri Jun 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Nexperia-Mon Jul 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nexperia-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Nexperia-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nexperia-Sat Sep 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nexperia-Fri Oct 06 2023 08:49:31 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

Nexperia-Tue Oct 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Nexperia-Mon Oct 30 2023 08:42:36 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

Nexperia-Mon Oct 30 2023 08:43:01 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

Nexperia-Mon Oct 30 2023 08:43:41 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

Ansys-Fri Jun 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Ansys-Mon Jul 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ansys-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ansys-Thu Aug 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Central European Summer Time)

Ansys-Sat Sep 30 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ansys-Fri Oct 06 2023 08:49:31 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

Ansys-Tue Oct 31 2023 23:59:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ansys-Mon Oct 30 2023 08:45:26 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

drones

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

drones

Profiles