Unmanned Systems Technology 024 | Wingcopter 178 l 5G focus l UUVs insight l CES report l Stromkind KAT l Intelligent Energy fuel cell l Earthsense TerraSentia l Connectors focus l Advanced Engineering report

63 Stromkind KAT series | Digest uses an automatic identification system and radar, with EO/IR cameras and sonar for midrange collision detection. For close- range operation, for example for docking with an electric charger at a harbour, the KAT system uses a lightfield camera, a stereo camera and Lidar laser ranger. A lightfield camera captures more information about the light emanating from a scene than a traditional camera, capturing the direction of travel of the light rays as well as the intensity of the light to provide more accurate data. This lightfield sensing is performed using an array of image sensors and a specialist image processing chipset from Intersense; it also allows stereo imaging. The data from all the sensors is handled by a rugged Intel-based board on the craft. Enabling new designs Another advantage of using water through the thruster for propulsion rather than a propeller is that the jets of water can be directed in multiple directions. However, that presents a major challenge to the control system, which has to consider multiple directions of movement and the choice of thruster power, and therefore the specification of the batteries. “The pump-based nature of our propulsion system means we can direct the water through a 3D-printed block,” says Desch. This provides four outputs in 45 º increments. “With two thrusters at the rear, this can run as a vector control system on all four edges so you can turn and move right and left. It looks funny as the craft is moving sideways, even up and down, for example to lift to keep the craft’s position stable – that is what we are working on right now,” he says. One challenge for the control system is in providing a stable platform for a high-definition video camera. Although the camera is mounted on a gimbal, that has to be carefully controlled. As well as using a gimbal, the control system can adjust the vertical jets to maintain a stable position, but the additional power for the vertical jets requires more batteries and so would only work on the larger KAT-750. These vertical jets can also keep the craft on station with an echo sounder or fish monitor that needs to be kept in a certain position. This idea of a stable platform then extends to using the KAT as a landing platform for a UAV, which is one of Stromkind’s current projects. “On the water you can land more safely than on land,” Desch says. “This is what we are currently working on – a cargo platform that can land a small aircraft.” The vertical thrust vector capability also opens up other applications, he says. “From the platform side we want to make a manned version for urban mobility on rivers, using a hop-on, hop-off system being developed in France. Houseboats for example don’t need to anchor as the jets can keep them in position – that is also very interesting,” Desch says. Unmanned Systems Technology | February/March 2019 Automatic identification system: Raymarine Radar: Raymarine Optical sensor: DST Control Optical sensor: FLIR Sonar: custom design Lightfield camera: Lightec Stereo camera: Lightec Lidar: Slamtec Processing: Intel Sensor fusion: Intel Key suppliers The water-jet propulsion unit can be used to direct water in three different axes to provide vertical lift On the water you can land more safely than on land. This is what we are working on – a cargo platform to land a small aircraft