NEDO: UAV､quasi-zenith satellite linked: Notification of failure, running out of fuel, bad weather
December 25, 2019
NEDO / SUBARU / Japan Radio / Japan Avionics / Mitsubishi Electric / Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory
NEDO: UAV: Quasi-zenith satellite
NEDO is promoting a new project for the social implementation of unmanned aerial vehicles.
On December 16 to 24, a flight test was conducted on Mikawa Bay, which connects Mitsu, Toyokawa and Shirahama, Tahara, to demonstrate “Urgent emergency autonomous danger avoidance technology.”
Flight test: specific content
Specifically, it is assumed that unmanned aerial vehicles will be operated on remote islands.
If a fault is detected during the flight,
When detecting a decrease in the fuel level,
If bad weather is detected,
Demonstration tests were conducted for “the UAV judges and changes the route” and “the ability to fly to an emergency landing site in advance”.
This technology: Effective for transport in depopulated areas
In inter-island logistics, the communication infrastructure between the ground and unmanned aerial vehicles is not sufficiently developed.
It is OK even in situations where assistance from the ground is not available, such as instructing emergency avoidance routes.
With this technology, it will be possible to safely operate unmanned aerial vehicles.
Tests performed: Content and results
<Method>
A medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped with a positioning receiver that receives quasi-zenith satellite signals.
Autonomous route change based on failure simulation signal, fuel warning simulation signal, and bad weather simulation information.
The flight status is confirmed using the high-precision positioning information of the QZSS.
<Result>
Based on information on malfunctions, a decrease in fuel level, and bad weather, it was confirmed that the unmanned aerial vehicle “changed autonomously from a preliminary flight route.”
Using high-precision positioning information from the quasi-zenith satellite system, it was confirmed that “fly to an emergency landing site in advance.”