Aerial Robotics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [TC Spotlight]

This article presents a software layer to abstract users of unmanned aerial vehicles from the specific hardware of the platform and the autopilot interfaces. The main objective of our unmanned aerial vehicle abstraction layer (UAL) is to simplify the development and testing of higher-level algorithms in aerial robotics by trying to standardize and simplify the interfaces with the unmanned aerial vehicles. Unmanned aerial vehicle abstraction layer supports operation with PX4 and DJI autopilots (among others), which are current leading manufacturers. Besides, unmanned aerial vehicle abstraction layer can work seamlessly with simulated or real platforms and it provides calls to issue standard commands such as taking off, landing or pose, and velocity controls. Even though unmanned aerial vehicle abstraction layer is under continuous development, a stable version is available for public use. We showcase the use of unmanned aerial vehicle abstraction layer with a set of applications coming from several European research projects, where different academic and industrial entities have adopted unmanned aerial vehicle abstraction layer as a common development framework.

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Aerial Robotics: State-based Conflict Detection and Resolution (Detect and Avoid) in High Traffic Densities and Complexities

Current Robotics Reports ◽

10.1007/s43154-021-00061-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jacco M. Hoekstra ◽

Joost Ellerbroek

Keyword(s):

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽

Conflict Detection ◽

High Density ◽

Aerial Robotics ◽

Domino Effect ◽

Aerial Vehicles ◽

Essential Properties ◽

Voltage Potential ◽

Conflict Detection And Resolution

Abstract Purpose of Review A lot of research into decentralised, state-based conflict detection and resolution, or detect and avoid algorithms has been executed. This paper explains the essential properties of state-based conflict detection and reviews the work in the context of applications for not only manned but also unmanned aerial vehicles, where this might be applied relatively soon. Recent Findings Lately, based on several reviews of a variety of published algorithms, a selection has been implemented and simulated in extremely high traffic densities for comparison. Summary The modified voltage potential has been surprisingly efficient, even compared with more complex algorithms or adaptations, as is apparent from looking at macroscopic metrics like domino effect, efficiency and safety. This indicates that to this date, it is so far the most suitable algorithm for the detect and avoid role for unmanned aerial vehicles in urban airspaces, or other areas where a high density is expected.

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A Simulation Framework for Developing Autonomous Drone Navigation Systems

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10010007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Rafael Casado ◽

Aurelio Bermúdez

Keyword(s):

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽

Navigation System ◽

Engineering Students ◽

Navigation Systems ◽

State Machines ◽

Aerial Robotics ◽

Simulation Framework ◽

Level Control ◽

Aerial Vehicles ◽

Test Scenarios

Unmanned aerial vehicles are gaining popularity in an ever-increasing range of applications, mainly because they are able to navigate autonomously. In this work, we describe a simulation framework that can help engineering students who are starting out in the field of aerial robotics to acquire the necessary competences and skills for the development of autonomous drone navigation systems. In our framework, drone behavior is defined in a graphical way, by means of very intuitive state machines, whereas low-level control details have been abstracted. We show how the framework can be used to develop a navigation system proposal according to the rules of the “ESII Drone Challenge” student competition. We also show how the proposal can be evaluated in different test scenarios.

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Development of thickened semi-synthetic engine oil M-5z / 20 AERO for four-stroke gasoline engines aircraft piston of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

World of OIL Products the Oil Companies Bulletin ◽

10.32758/2071-5951-2020-0-6-44-47 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 06 ◽

pp. 44-47

Author(s):

A.A. Moykin ◽

◽

A.S. Medzhibovsky ◽

S.A. Kriushin ◽

M.V. Seleznev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽

Engine Oil ◽

Motor Oil ◽

Gasoline Engines ◽

State Research Institute ◽

Technical Requirements ◽

Aerial Vehicles ◽

State Research ◽

Industrial Batch ◽

The Russian Federation

Nowadays, the creation of remotely-piloted aerial vehicles for various purposes is regarded as one of the most relevant and promising trends of aircraft development. FAU "25 State Research Institute of Chemmotology of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation" have studied the operation features of aircraft piston engines and developed technical requirements for motor oil for piston four-stroke UAV engines, as well as a new engine oil M-5z/20 AERO in cooperation with NPP KVALITET, LLC. Based on the complex of qualification tests, the stated operational properties of the experimental-industrial batch of M-5z/20 AERO oil are generally confirmed.

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