3 August/September 2024 | Contents Uncrewed Systems Technology | August/September 2024 20 24 86 04 Intro Evolution is the name of the game when it comes to eVTOL air taxis, airspace management, transponders and UTM systems 06 Platform one: Mission-critical info A sensor that detects its environment in real-time 3D, scalable chips for self-driving cars, superalloys developed by NASA that are opening up new opportunities for UAV and space design, a sensor with infrared imaging for remote crop monitoring, high-speed neuromorphic vision for robots, a lightweight singlephoton airborne laser and enhancing underwater images with AI 20 In conversation: Andy Lacher NASA’s chief technologist for future airspace ops discusses the challenges of today’s airspace operations, which are human-centric and reliant on voice communications 24 Dossier: Schiebel Camcopter In late spring, the 523rd unit of the S-100, the product of 30 years of perfecting its design, left the testing line 40 Technology focus: UTM Addressing the difficulties of operating UAVs beyond visual line of sight using sense-and-avoid systems and broader UTM links 50 Digest: Bedrock Ocean AUV On a mission to provide high-quality oceanological data for its customers, this company decided to design and build its very own fleet of underwater vehicles to gather it 60 Show report: Xponential Defence Defence giants from around the world assembled in San Diego to showcase the best uncrewed military tech and systems around 68 Dossier: Avadi Engines A modern take on sleeve-valve engines aims to be the ideal choice for modern UAVs, with fuel and maintenance savings 78 Insight: UAVs Spotlighting the new breeds of uncrewed vehicles coming to the fore, from miniature photographers to gargantuan aircraft 86 Product focus: Transponders How these information-transmitting devices are being optimised for new regulations and UAVs 96 In operation: Swiss-Mile UGV How the founders made a robot able to walk, stand, grab and roll, fulfilling various on-site roles from observation to security 102 Show report: Xponential part 2 In the second half of our report on the world’s biggest show for autonomous systems, we take a look at some of the innovations and technologies setting the industry buzzing 114 PS: AI fighters Various types of AI are being applied to air combat systems and insects are proving a unique inspiration for swarm intelligence 50 96
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