Uncrewed Systems Technology 049 - April/May 2023

3 April/May 2023 | Contents Uncrewed Systems Technology | April/May 2023 48 108 58 24 66 04 Intro Image sensing systems are becoming smaller and less expensive, opening up new applications for UAVs as well as UGVs 06 Platformone: Mission-critical info Intel and Daedalean unveil the first certifiable avionics design using machine learning, MIT develops simple and scalable way to build AUVs, UAVs automate rice plant counting, and much more 20 In conversation: Noel Heiks The chairman of Censys Technologies explains how she sees AI playing a vital role in high-resolution inspections by UAVs 24 Dossier: Marine Advanced RoboticsWAM-V This auto-levelling USV is proving to be a go-to solution for users who want to survey large areas quickly, even in rough seas. We detail its development and the surprising inspiration behind it 38 Focus: Image sensors Sensor prices are falling and they’re getting smaller, setting the stage for a raft of new design options for uncrewed vehicles 48 Digest: Ottonomy Ottobot How Covid-19, social distancing and labour shortages created the conditions for producing this last-mile delivery UGV 58 Digest: Eurolink Systems Beluga Taking its design cue from the bulbous-headed cetacean has led to this quadrotor that’s intended for multiple applications 66 Insight: UGVs If a job’s considered too dangerous or too dirty to be carried out by people, there’s nowmore than likely to be a UGV that has been designed specifically to do it instead 76 Show report: IDEX 2023 Our round-up of products showcased at the latest outing for this biennial exhibition for the armed services 82 Dossier: Rotron RT600-HC We report on the development of this popular twin-rotor Wankel gasoline engine developed for uncrewed helicopters 92 In operation: Cleo Robotics Dronut X1 Details of the design choices behind this duct-shaped UAV for inspecting hazardous and GNSS-denied indoor spaces 98 Focus: Sonar systems USV and UUV operators are demanding more from sonar technology, leading to its developers to continue making advances in its capabilities, details of which we explain here 108 In operation: DroneWorks solar panel inspection How this UAV removes the need to use people to inspect solar arrays, and how the data it generates can save a lot of money 114 PS: The human body as a UAV platform A look at research that shows we don’t mind UAVs landing on us, but it depends on where and what we’re doing at the time