Latest News
It's built3rd January, 2011
After a month or so of hacking hardware together, the prototype autopilot for the 2011 outback challenge is built.
Based on a 3.5" Atom single board computer, the autopilot is connected to:
- SBG systems AHRS
- 2 x GPS
- Pitot
- Barometer
- Compass
- 2 axis Pyro (just to check up on the AHRS)
- Servo controller
We should be flying and calibrating instruments by the end of January... we just need a plane... a big one.
It starts !!28th November, 2010
During a brief break from our underground world, "The Privateers" managed to launch the campaign for the 2011 UAV Outback Challenge.
Sitting on the balcony with strong coffee and freshly baked blueberry muffins, it took about an hour to sketch out the control system block diagram, make a decision on the hardware and start hacking out some code. We hope to be flying in the next two weeks, testing out our AHRS and telemetry systems. We just need a plane!
Because it's there.12th October, 2010
After much beating of chests and gnashing of teeth, staff from ADR have decided to team up with a couple of renegade roboticists and enter the 2011 UAV Outback Challenge...
It's one thing to claim you're the best in the business, but next year we plan to go out and prove it. The competition has been running for four years and no team has claimed the prize. Next year's contest is already gaining much interest from around the world even though no official announcement has been made.
http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/2010/index.cfm?contentID=5
The group will be entering as a bunch of Privateers with ADR donating the hardware, project management and logistics support. We'll keep you informed on progress.
Pass the sunscreen... not!!! 12th October, 2010
Well, we're still underground playing with robots and the bigger the robots, the bigger the infrastructure required...
As part of the installation and commissioning package, our staff are managing the design of a new control room, the design of the SCADA interface, the design and specification of the optic fibre backbone between the surface and underground and the installation and commissioning of the communications and safety systems. As is always the case, the cost of the infrastructure is about the same as that of the autonomous vehicles. It will be a while before we see sun again!
Rock and Roll, Pitch, Yaw 15th August 2010
We've just received our new SBG Systems Attitude, Heading Reference Sensor (AHRS). This little unit is an IMU complete with magnetometers, gyros and a GPS. Its Kalman filtered output is claimed to be drift free and incredibly stable...
Whether you're on the ground, under the water or in the air, absolutely reliable attitude and heading data is essential for any unman ned system.
The team at ADR have tried a number of units from a number of manufacturers and have yet to find an AHRS that we would consider a robust solution.
As a mobile robotics designer and integrator, it's essential that we have a suite of off-the-shelf solutions we can use as building blocks for any project. It's one thing to have the hardware available, but it's another to have the experience in the application of that hardware. i.e. the experience and knowledge to be able to integrate that solution into existing or new control platforms be it C++, Unix, Embedded C, Matlab or Labview.
Over the next few months we will be testing our new unit, firstly on the ground and then in the air. Watch this space.
Please leave a message after the beep! 5th June 2010
It's taken a long time, but it would appear that Australia is finally beginning to embrace the potential that mobile robotics and unmanned systems present to industry...
After a number of false starts and after the GFC, the staff at ADR has been offered a role in the rollout of autonomous vehicles for a large Australian miner. While this opportunity will consume all of our staff for an extended period, it's one we're very exited to join. While we're always happy to discuss customer requirements, it won't be until April 2011 that we'll be able to take on any major work. Stay tuned for updates.