drone

VTOL flying wing is now surveying 2 km autonomously and out of the sight of the pilot

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This genuine innovation could transform inspections and surveys for asset owners in both the public and private sector.

@amey vtol the flying wing

The Flying Wing is a long-range hybrid drone. AmeyVTOL flying wing surveyed an area of 2km autonomously and out of the sight of the pilot.

AmeyVTOL has successfully demonstrated the first drone inspection of UK infrastructure to go beyond visual line of sight (BVLoS). Being able to go beyond visual line of sight will not just provide safer, more effective inspections but it will empower asset managers with increasingly reliable data, resulting in informed, intelligent decision making.

During the demonstration, the VTOL flying wing surveyed an area of 2km autonomously and out of the sight of the pilot. Previous to this, drone inspections were limited to flight within visual line of sight (WVLoS) and as such, could not go further than 500 metres from the pilot.

The successful trial opens up significant possibilities for BVLoS inspections of long linear infrastructure such as roads, railways and overhead power lines. Not only does BVLoS save time and massively reduce inspection and survey costs, it also increases the quality, volume, and repeatability of data – enabling better asset management decisions and more efficient maintenance.

Most importantly, it also enables inspections and surveys to be undertaken without people needing to work alongside a live railway, removing ‘boots from ballast’.

The success was made possible through AmeyVTOL’s innovative VTOL Flying Wing that can fly up to 100km on a single charge due to a unique hybrid design and an optimised energy system. Preparation and execution of the trial was made possible through AmeyVTOL’s state of the art operational control centre which enables the planning, simulation, and remote monitoring of BVLoS drone operations. Advanced communications and simulation capabilities were developed in partnership with world leader Collins Aerospace.

“Being able to go beyond visual line of sight will not just provide safer, more effective inspections but it will empower asset managers with increasingly reliable data, resulting in informed, intelligent decision making,” said Alex Gilbert, Managing Director, Amey Consulting.

AmeyVTOL will now be offering this capability to infrastructure owners and operators who want to deliver efficient and repeatable asset safety and condition inspections, and topographical surveys, without placing people in hazardous environments.

@amey vtol the flying wing

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Enjoy your diving. this autonomous diving drone follows. It also works from the boat

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Your own pilot fish. While you enjoy your underwater experience, this smart wireless drone with its camera and lights captures every moment for you.

iBubble cameras
The first autonomous diving drone follows you and captures beautiful footage, hands-free. Entirely autonomous, iBubble follows you and films your entire diving session. With the wireless connected bracelet you can film from different professional angles.

iBubble opens a whole new (underwater!) world of filming opportunities. Create shots like a professional: record what you see from a distance, follow and film yourself, have iBubble orbit around you, and much more. Integrated LED lights automatically adjust their brightness to allow you to capture the true colors of your surroundings.

The drone uses sonar to avoid hitting coral or reefs. It is silent and works on emission levels without danger for marine mammals.

iBubble cameras at fair iBubble cameras 2017

“The iBubble project was born from the meeting between diving enthusiasts and experienced engineers in the fields of drone, underwater mechanics, embedded software and machine learning, ” commented the team.

“The first works allowed to validate iBubble’s ability to follow you underwater, wireless. Currently, we are working on the development and industrialization of iBubble, using lean and agile methods. ”

Not sure what’s under the boat? If you’d rather scout unknown spots from the comfort of the boat before diving, you’ll love iBubble’s remote control option. Plug it in, immerse iBubble and see for yourself if it’s worth getting wet.

“As we kept developing iBubble, we had to make a few changes to iBubble’s design in order to have the most hydrodynamic design and get the best out of the drone. We personally love it!” said the designers team announcing a final prototype and iBubble’s new design.

iBubble camera final prototype Fall 2017
iBubble’s new 2017 updated design
iBubble camera final prototype Fall 2017-
iBubble Camera’s new updated 2017 design

 

1HOUR BATTERY LIFE 60 M / 196 FT. MAX DEPTH

Dive and film all day long, easily replacing the battery between dives. iBubble dives to 200 ft (60 m) and can move up to a speed of 2.2 mph (3.5 km/h). It automatically resurfaces in case of emergency. It returns and clips onto the diver when out of battery.

Since water absorbs colors starting at a depth of 5 ft, images and videos can appear noticeably blue- green. In order to give you perfect filming conditions and to help you avoid carrying extra lights, the designers have incorporated two 1000 lumen light bulbs in iBubble’s design. These lights can be switched on and off at the diver’s convenience.