3 April/May 2025 | Contents Uncrewed Systems Technology | April/May 2025 20 04 Intro The growing demands of military, nuclear, logistics and transport industries are pushing uncrewed systems R&D harder than ever before 06 Platform one: Mission-critical info UAVs in forest fire monitoring get boosted by solar gas sensors and charging pods; an mmWave radar system that enables UAVs to self-localise indoors and in the dark; an autonomous SWATH vessel for carrying UAVs and AUVs into Arctic waters; and more 20 In conversation: Prof. Barry Lennox Nuclear inspections and surveys are dangerous not only for humans, but uncrewed systems too. We talk to a leading expert on how carefully-engineered robots are making a difference 26 Dossier: LOXO Alpha & Digital Driver Consummate expertise in bleeding-edge AI tech and functional safety are how LOXO’s Alpha self-driving van and Digital Driver technology are transforming European road logistics 40 Focus: Lidar On land, air and sea, Lidar is bigger than ever. We go through the many types, components, and applications of this missioncritical sensor technology 50 Digest: RigiTech Eiger UAS We dive into how this Swiss tech house managed to engineer its UAV and its cloud for the precise needs of logistics stakeholders, first in Europe, and now worldwide 60 In operation: Seasats Lightfish USV Crossing the Pacific with a big, expensive vessel is one thing; can it be done with a small, low-price one? A Lightfish USV from Seasats is doing just that 68 Dossier: Alpha-Otto REV Force We explore the balance of core and ancillary parts enabling this engine’s low-temperature combustion, and its efficiency with (and easy switching between) different fuels 80 Insight: UGVs UGVs are becoming workhorses in myriad applications, and their manufacturers are right-sizing and optimising them accordingly 88 Focus: Motor controllers As industries start deploying fleets of uncrewed systems, better and more energy-efficient motor controllers are crucial 98 Report: XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 The launch of a European AUVSI XPONENTIAL trade show surpassed all expectations. Our report gives a taste of what was on offer 108 Digest: ISS Aerospace Sensus L UAV We unpack a heavy-lift multicopter, purpose-built in the UK to carry weighty data-gathering payloads for serious industrial users 114 PS: Replacing lost insects Uncrewed systems can now supplement or replace shrinking insect populations as vital environmental pollinators. Here’s how 40 26 68 60
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