GPS World, October 2018

UAV REPORT screw inserts in the bottom to attach the TRIUMPH F1 to a pole mount for field use The TRIUMPH F1 features userfriendly mission programming The four lithium polymer batteries that power the eight propeller motors arranged in a stacked quad formation The TRIUMPH F1 also has two micro SD slots for image storage a SIM card slot a USB connector for uploading flight plans and downloading collected images and indicators for satellite tracking and communications Other indicators are dedicated to flight status and gyro Vertical Landing WingtraOnes vertical landing technology enables touchdown in confined areas as small as 2 m x 2 m like boats or forest lanes Combined with a flight range of up to 50 km this makes largecoverage mapping missions feasible The vertical take off and landing VTOL drone WingtraOne is designed to safeguard its valuable sensors and eliminate wear and tear of the equipment Instead of broken wings or damaged cameras from belly landings parachute touchdowns the WingtraOne lands gently During the vertical S8 GPS WORLD descent laser sensor data enables the WingtraOne to sense the ground and land safely even on rocky or hilly hilly terrain In case of a changing landing environment like a drifting boat or recently parked cars the landing spot can be adjusted easily The WingtraOne works truly autonomously during its entire mission including take off and landing Instead of catapult or hand launches that can cause injuries or damage equipment the WingtraOne takes off vertically without any human interaction Shipping and Logistics Matternet based in Switzerland is testing deliveries using drones under a 3 year program run by the North Carolina Department of Transportation The NC program is one of 10 authorized by the FAA to evaluate the commercial use of drones The objective is to transport small items like blood samples but initially vials of water will take the ride from a medical office building before landing on a hospital roof In March the company was authorized to operate drones over populated areas in Switzerland carrying samples to hospitals in Lugano Items can be securely deposited into the drone station for pick up or retrieved following delivery A smart phone application is used to authorize pick up and delivery The item is then scanned for pick up the station automatically installs the item into the drone for transport the drone then departs for the assigned destination and on arrival scanning is required to retrieve the delivered item at the other end Conclusion These examples just skim the surface of an exploding industry which just keeps on keeping on constantly developing new solutions and applications High altitude pseudo satellite drones drone delivery of goods within minutes of placing an internet order automated drone facility inspections power via wireless to keep drones airborne parachute safety systems for drones the list goes on and on Clearly the UAV UAS industry has only begun its journey There are many unexpected places we can look forward to it visiting in coming months and years 0 10 20 30 40 50 Better quality images Smaller lightweight sensors Control via mobile devices Augmented reality Competition from satellites aircraft Regulations Other 25 12 13 12 13 12 13 0 10 20 30 40 50 Aerial surveying and mapping Aerial surveillance and security Aerial insepction of infrastructure utilities pipelines etc Aerial delivery 37 13 25 25 What is the biggest challenge for the UAV industry graphic from GPS Worlds State of the Industry Report September 2018 What is the killer app for drones What professional UAV market sector will most powerfully drive adoption and influence new regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles graphic from GPS Worlds State of the Industry Report September 2018