UAVLAS puts safety first in drone landing system

UAVLAS , a creator of drone landing assistance systems, recently unveiled a precision landing system that allows drones to land safely while performing last-mile delivery functions. [caption id="attachment_57137319" align="alignright" width="300"] UAVLAS’ precision landing system for drones aims to make last-mile delivery safer and more feasible. (Photo/UAVLAS)[/caption] The precision landing system uses optical technology, UAVLAS Chief Technology Officer Yuri Kapacheuski told Air Cargo Next . “On the ground, we have infrared transmitters; onboard, we have infrared receivers,” he said, explaining that the system does not use a camera or radio. “It’s like a single-pixel sensor, with a very wide, huge dynamic range that allows us to filter signal and capture low levels from the transmitter. And, as a result, we get good performance in our system.” This technology enables use of lightweight equipment without compromising on operational range, viewing angles or landing precision, according to the company. Out of the box operationality UAVLAS, based in Warsaw, Poland, aims to simplify integration by collaborating with open-source autopilot platforms such as PX4 and Ardupilot . “Our system seamlessly integrates with the stock firmware of popular autopilots, enhancing landing algorithms and performance,” Kapacheuski said. By collaborating with Ardupilot, both companies can improve their products’ performance and ensure compatibility, he said. “Our system works out of the box with all autopilot [systems that are] built on Ardupilot stack and PX4 stack,” he said. “If we’re talking about other autopilots, most all of them have closed source code and closed functionality. … So, if some company would like to integrate our system in their own solution, in their own autopilots, we’re always open for communication. We’re always open to make some additional integration changes. For example, now we are working with companies from the Cyprus Institute , and they asked us to build some protocols to be able to work our system with their autopilot.” Safety first While it is possible for drones to fly long distances with heavy payloads, safety concerns continue to hold the drone delivery industry back, according to Kapacheuski. “The main problem why we have no cargo delivery for right now is just on the one issue: Is it safe?” he said. “Not every operator possesses the expertise to ensure a perfectly safe landing . “If we’re talking about delivery, if we’re talking about the commercial use of the product, you need to be sure that you have a very high rate for successful delivery,” Kapacheuski said. “We provide systems that work in any conditions and get very good probability of successful landing in different conditions.” When it comes to using delivery drones for more than demonstrations, the drone must consistently be able to operate and land autonomously, Kapacheuski said. “Commercial cargo delivery requires some system that can guarantee successful takeoff and landing,” he said. “Without 100% assurance that you are taking off and landing safely, there is no future in cargo delivery, or in any drone delivery at all.” UAVLAS plans to finish designing and release a “complete system” to enable customers to offer drone delivery. “It will include a set of hardware and software equipment that can be used for companies to start delivery as soon as possible without requiring [them] to implement difficult codes or programming,” Kapacheuski said. “It’s for the not-far future. But there is a lot of work right now to go to bring it to life.” Join Air Cargo Next for the second annual Air Cargo Tech Summit on Monday, Sept. 18, and Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place in Belgium. For more information on the summit and to register, click here .

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