Unmanned Systems Technology 012 | AutoNaut USV | Connectors | Unmanned Ground Vehicles | Cobra Aero A33i | Intel Falcon 8+ UAV | Propellers | CES Show report

78 Show report | CES 2017 Innoviz of Israel has developed a prototype demo Lidar device that is being used by automotive subsystem supplier Magna. The solid-state sensor provides a 200 m range with a 100 º FOV and a depth accuracy under 10 cm in a 50 x 50 x 50 mm unit. The company said it will cost less than $100 in volume production in 2018 but is not releasing details of the laser, scanning or sensor technologies. “The device gives Magna a full suite of sensing systems – camera, ultrasonic, radar fusion, and Lidar – for our autonomous vehicle capability,” said Swamy Kotagiri of Magna. “Our systems knowledge and complete-vehicle expertise give us the ability to efficiently fuse various sensors and develop robust systems as vehicles continue to progress towards full autonomy.” AutonomouStuff has been bringing together all the elements needed for driverless cars, from sensors to navigation technology. At CES it demonstrated Novatel’s SPAN satellite navigation receiver combined with an inertial navigation system for accurate 3D positioning. The combination provides positioning data accurate to 1 cm, and can work if there is no satellite connection. The technology has been integrated with AutonomouStuff’s vehicle perception kits to allow three different levels of positioning performance, depending on the grade of IMU being used. “The Novatel solutions are a significant piece of autonomous research and development,” said Bobby Hambrick of AutonomouStuff. “We’ve done the work, allowing users to choose which kit is best according to the accuracy needs and price range.” AutonomouStuff launched three new driverless car platforms at the show – the Ford Fusion, Polaris Ranger and Polaris GEM – that can use the Novatel navigation system as well as sensors and middleware. “The platforms offer proven reliability and safety along with features that greatly benefit researchers and industry leaders interested in the future of autonomous driving,” said Hambrick. The ITRI research institute in South Korea has developed technology to allow multiple UAVs to be controlled through an LTE 4G cellular connection and the internet. A major challenge to such a system has been the latency of both the cellular network and the network connection. For inspecting solar panels, for example, the system allows a fleet of UAVs to detect hot-spot heating on panels in solar farms, which can consist of millions of panels across thousands of acres – well beyond the range of remote control UAVs but easily within the range of LTE. An aerial inspection would reduce the possibility of hot-spots caused by dust or leaves that may result in permanent damage to a panel. In another application, landslide inspection, “The technology would allow a fleet of drones to survey landslide conditions beyond visual line of sight, and even from other countries, to help save lives,” said Tsung-Hsien Chen of ITRI’s Information and Communication Research Laboratories. The system has three components. February/March 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology Schematic of how the Innoviz automotive Lidar would work in a real-world setting One of the new driverless car platforms launched at CES by AutonomouStuff