Uncrewed Systems Technology 046

T-Motor The Safer Propulsion System Power makes your exploration www.tmotor.com UAV maker Manna is using a collaborative robot (cobot) for an automated battery swapping system (writes Nick Flaherty). Vikaso used a UR10e cobot from Universal Robotics, and programmed it to replace the battery pack in a Manna UAV. The UR10e has an arm with a reach of 1300 mm and can handle a payload of up to 12.5 kg. For the project, the arm is mounted on a linear track to move between the UAV and the battery module storage. A machine learning framework is used to identify the battery, storage rack and battery socket. The arm then removes the battery pack from the UAV and places it in the rack. The vision system then identifies a charged battery in its storage socket where it is charging, lifts it out and moves to the UAV to insert it. The UR10e is equipped with force and torque sensors to detect collisions with any part of the robotic arm, which also protects the UAV. One cobot can support two landing areas from one track and storage rack. Manna is already using UAVs to deliver payloads of up to 2 kg to customers in Ireland over a 2 km range, and the automated battery replacement is intended to speed up that process. Cobot battery swap system Airborne vehicles The cobot can support two landing areas from one track and storage rack Platform one POWER MAKES YOUR EXPLORATION www.tmotor.com