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10 Dec 2015/Jan 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology A research student at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has developed open source software that provides sense and avoid capabilities for a small unmanned aircraft moving at 30 mph at ground level. The Pushbroom Stereo was developed by Andrew Barry and his supervisor Russ Tedrake of the Robot Locomotion Group at CSAIL, and uses two cameras running at 120 frames per second on a fixed-wing design with a wingspan of 70 cm (34 in). The separation of the stereo cameras provides detection 10 m ahead of the craft to avoid individual objects. With a processing time of 8.3 ms per frame to detect an object in its path, this allows the 30 mph speed. The system is used to avoid objects and also to build a map using a commercial Qualcomm processor. “Our current approach results in occasional incorrect estimates known as drift,” said Barry. “As hardware advances allow for more complex computation, however, we will be able to search at multiple depths and therefore check and correct our estimates. This lets us make our algorithms more aggressive, even in environments with larger numbers of obstacles.” • Focus on sense and avoid technology, page 34 Ground-level avoidance code Zephyr becomes even lighter Sense and avoid Airbus is building on the experience of its Z7, which holds the endurance record for a UAV, for the next-generation Zephyr 8 At the DSEI 2015 show in London last September, Airbus provided UST with some insights into the next generation of its solar-powered long-endurance Zephyr UAV, which is capable of reaching up to 70,000 ft. Steve Whitby, head of business development and sales for the High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) programme, said the Z9, or Generation One – the name is not settled yet – builds on the technology baseline established by the Z8. With an initial operational capability scheduled for 2016, the Z8 embodies experience from previous generations including the endurance record-holding Z7, which flew for 14 days and 14 nights in 2010. At 25 m, the Z8’s wingspan is slightly larger but 40% lighter than the Z7’s, a feat achieved by accurate modelling to optimise the structure without changing materials. The solar array is load-bearing, 30% more powerful than the Z7’s, and very light. “We’re talking something that you can wrap around your finger,” said Whitby. The structure is hollow and serves as a high- gain antenna. The Z9 adds 10 m to the wingspan, meaning a larger solar array, more battery capacity and a larger payload. “We’ve finished the design and done the wind tunnel tests,” Whitby said. “The only change in technology is the batteries.” UAVs