Issue 41 Unmanned Systems Technology December/January 2022 PteroDynamics X-P4 l Sense & avoid l 4Front Robotics Cricket l Autonomous transport l NWFC-1500 fuel cell l DroneX report l OceanScout I Composites I DSEI 2021 report

Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com UST 41 :DEC/JAN 2022 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Traffic signs Why sense & avoid ismoving to ground-based systems It’s all in the blend Focus on advances in compositematerials Wing-folding wonder How the PteroDynamicsX-P4 exploits some innovativeVTOL-transitioning technology 4 The roll-out of autonomous technology is accelerating. After years of development and early field trials, regulations are now changing in countries around the world to allow the use of unmanned systems. In the air, regulations are now accommodating BVLOS operation. More important, some projects are actively developing the sense & avoid technologies to allow UAVs to mix safely in the same airspace as manned aircraft, as we see in more detail in our Focus on page 36. On the ground as well as at sea, self- driving systems are moving from the trial stage to full real-world implementation. The Insight on page 54 for example looks at the introduction of several self- driving bus and ferry services, while our Platform One section starting on page 6 details a new way of operating a car hire service using vehicles that are remotely driven to and from collection. This marks the diversification of unmanned technology from full Level 5 autonomy to other use-cases in a broadening of the maturing technology ecosystem. With cities in China and the US expanding their high-end ‘robotaxi’ trials into full commercial services, unmanned technology has reached the tipping point where it will become an everyday sight on roads and waterways around the world. Nick Flaherty | Technology Editor Tipping points Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Deputy Editor Rory Jackson Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Production Editor Guy Richards Contributor Peter Donaldson Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Ian Williams-Wynn Dr Donough Wilson Prof James Scanlan Design Andrew Metcalfe UST Ad Sales Please direct all enquiries to Freya Williams [email protected] Subscriptions Frankie Robins [email protected] Publishing Director Simon Moss [email protected] General Manager Chris Perry Intro | December/January 2022 December/January 2022 | Unmanned Systems Technology Volume Eight | Issue One December/January 2022 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 (0)1934 713957 www.highpowermedia.com ISSN 2056-9823 Printed in Great Britain ©High Power Media All rights reserved. Reproduction (in whole or in part) of any article or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, the publisher can accept no liability for errors or omissions. Nor can responsibility be accepted for the content of any advertisement. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available from High Power Media at the address above or directly from our website. Overseas copies are sent via air mail. UST SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS 1 year subscription – 15% discount: UK – £75; Europe – £90 USA – £93.75; ROW – £97.50 2 year subscription – 25% discount: UK – £135; Europe – £162 USA – £168.75; ROW – £175.50 Make cheques payable to High Power Media. Visa, Mastercard, Amex and UK Maestro accepted. Quote card number and expiry date (also issue/start date for Maestro) ALSO FROM HPM THE COMMUNICATIONS HUBOF THE RACING POWERTRAINWORLD VALERIALORETI: ReimaginingFormulaOne fuel www.highpowermedia.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 UK £15,US/CN$25,EUROPE e 22 PROMODPROGRESS MikeMoran redefines the drag racing pushrodV8 MONTECARLOORBUST What is the scope for all-electric rallying? VINCENTONNITRO Exploring the amazing potential of a septuagenarianV2 ISSUE012 | WINTER2021 UK£15 USA$30 EUROPE€22 E-MOBILITY ENGINEERING THE COMMUNICATIONS HUB OF THE ELECTRIFIED POWERTRAIN Moving onup Returnofan icon Focuson the impactsof switching to48Vsystems HowEverraticarriedout its ‘resto-mod’ofaclassicPorsche911 Power couples SigmaPowertrain’sEMAX two-in- onemotorsolution forheavyEVs The USE network Having now provided several enterprises around the world with the support and connections they need to implement efficient and sustainable technological solutions, we’re keen to continue expanding this free service. If the unmanned vehicle and/or system you’re working on could benefit from some independent advice, from engineers specialising in the appropriate field, then please do get in touch. Email your question/challenge/dilemma/predicament to [email protected] or visit www.unmannedsystemsengineering.com and raise a case with us. All questions will be treated in the strictest confidence, and there’s no obligation whatsoever to follow any recommendations made.