An Unmanned Future

iRobot’s uPoint Multi-Robot Control (MRC) software is an Android based application for touch screen tablet devices, capable of running any Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) (also referred to herein as “robot”) manufactured by iRobot (iRobot, 2014).   The software runs on any Android based handheld tablet device and offers an intuitive touch screen interface designed for ease of use during “high-stress, critical operations” according to Frank Wilson, senior vice president and general manager of the Defense and Security Unit at iRobot (iRobot, 2014).   The use of an application as opposed to a propitiatory hardware based controller takes advantage of the computing power of modern mobile devices and enables the end user to select the Android tablet that most suits their need or application.   Additionally, it empowers the user with an all-in- one device (UGV control, business software, email, mapping tools) that is cost effective to upgrade or replace compared to traditional bulky and exp

This week’s blog will focus on DJI’s Inspire 2, a professional quality quadrotor Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) designed for filmmakers.   The UAS is capable of speeds of up to 58 mph and has an endurance of 27 minutes through the use of dual, redundant, battery packs (Inspire 2, 2017).   In addition to an integrated first-person view (FPV), 2 axis, 4K camera built into the nose, the aircraft can support a variety of 360 degree rotatable gimbled film cameras, including DJI’s top of the line Zenmuse X7, capable of recording in 6K CinemaDNG at 30 frames per second (fps) or 5.2K Apple ProRes video formats at 30 fps; both formats are capable of 60 fps rates at reduced quality (Inspire 2, 2017; Zenmuse X7, 2017).   The Zenmuse X7 camera is also capable of capturing DNG RAW 20 fps (burst mode) still photos at 24 megapixels (MP), as well as the commonly used JEPG format (Zenmuse X7, 2017).     DJI. (2017). Inspire 2 [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.dronethusiast.com/wp-content

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) rely on onboard sensors for navigation and to provide an operator or ground observer with imagery captured by the aircraft.   The selection and placement of these sensors is dependent on the design of the aircraft and the intended purpose.   Today’s blog will examine sensors utilized for DJI’s Phantom 4 Pro, a UAS designed for aerial photography, and ImmersionRC’s Vortex 250 Pro, a UAS designed for first person view (FPV) drone racing. DJI Phantom 4 Pro DJI. (2017). Phantom 4 Pro [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.dji.com/phantom-4-pro DJI’s Phantom 4 Pro is an excellent UAS for obtaining high definition aerial video and still images at altitudes below 400 feet.   The quadrotor UAS is capable of flying for up to 30 minutes at speed s up to 31 mph while shooting 4K/60 fps video or still imagery, all while avoiding obstacles (Phantom 4, 2017).   The quadrotor design of the aircraft, as opposed to the use of a traditional fixed win