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Electric drone observes at low cost
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03/07/2007
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A tiny German-made electric helicopter with four rotors is being used with considerable cost saving benefits for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.
Alistair Fox, business development manager of UK vendors, MW Power Systems told us at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics show that the ‘Microdrone’, “Can hold its position using GPS despite gusts of up to 20mph. It uses four brushless motors to drive the rotors and an auto control system that adjust the relative speeds of the motors to change the attitude to move it in any particular direction”. Made entirely of carbon fibre, it is less than 1m across and “Weighs about 1kg” but can carry a camera payload of more than 200g. Fox said modestly that, “It cost significantly less than a helicopter to run”. Systems including ground stations cost, “Upwards of about £25,000” to purchase with leasing and rental options available. It is also significantly quieter than a helicopter, producing less than 63dBA noise at 3m, and much less obtrusive. Flight duration is about 20 minutes.
The electronic control system is immensely sophisticated. As well as GPS, it uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and air pressure, humidity and temperature sensors. In the event of low battery or no radio signal it lands autonomously. Whether any of these machines have ended up in the tops of trees we do not know. The developers are working on a version capable of carrying payloads of up to 5kg.
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Author
Tom Shelley
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