Tag Archives: UAV

Propeller Aero and Quantum Systems team up to improve drone survey accuracy and time

Automation, IoT, Mine surveying, , , , , , ,

Propeller Aero, the drone data visualisation and analytics platform, and Quantum-Systems, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems developer, have announced their joint effort to include compatibility of Propeller’s site surveying and 3D mapping software with Quantum-Systems’ Trinity F90+ drone.

Propeller’s Post-Processed Kinematic solution (PPK) enables seamless surveying and 3D mapping of work sites across the construction, mining and earthworks industries. Coupled with Quantum-Systems’ Trinity F90+ drone, a dedicated large scale mapping drone, contractors will be able to improve survey accuracy, condense their traditionally weeks-long data collection process into a few hours, and quickly share digital models among their broader work site teams, according to the companies.

Designed and manufactured in Germany, the Trinity F90+ drone builds on Quantum-Systems’ previous F9 model and makes electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft accessible to customers at an affordable price point without compromising technical quality or usability, the company says. Additionally, the Trinity F90+ drone can fly for up to 90 minutes – well beyond the industry standard of 60 minutes – allowing earthworks professionals to survey larger worksites more efficiently, and it comes with the broadest choice of integrated sensors in the industry, it added.

“Today’s contractors and surveyors are eager to adopt new technologies that modernise workflows and allow them to analyse more aspects of their worksite than ever before,” Richie Hadfield, Head of Product at Propeller Aero, said. “The clients we work with are doing cutting-edge work in the construction, earthworks, and mining space and are already using drone technology to accelerate project timelines, reduce costly rework, and create safer environments for their employees. Our new partnership with Quantum-Systems gives our customers in Europe and around the world even more ways to achieve this increased efficiency and accuracy with the highly advanced F90+ drone.”

To use the combined solution, surveyors place Propeller AeroPoints™ (smart ground control points) around the work site, fly the Trinity F90+ drone above to collect survey data and upload that data to Propeller’s cloud-based platform where it is processed and available to use within 24 hours.

“The drone industry has progressed a lot over the last couple of years, along with customer expectations,” Florian Seibel, Co-founder and CEO of Quantum-Systems, said. “It is no longer reasonable to have customers figure out a complete solution for their needs. As a technology company, we listen to our customers and understand their needs and how best to address them. With the full Trimble Stratus solution completed with Trinity F90+, customers can proactively finish their projects from end to end.”

Burgex adds ExynPak LiDAR capabilities to mine mapping offering

Communications in mining, IoT, Mineral exploration, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , ,

Burgex Inc Mining Consultants has announced newly acquired in-house capabilities to provide high accuracy mapping of surface and underground mine workings with the addition of the ExynPak from Exyn Technologies to its fleet of mining and mineral exploration solutions.

With a gimballed Velodyne LiDAR sensor and the ability to provide real-time 3D mapping with survey-grade accuracy, the ExynPak is the leader in high accuracy handheld mapping for mining and exploration applications, according to Burgex. Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) provides accurate, survey-grade 3D mapping in real-time without the use of GPS, it added. This delivers precision mapping in underground mining environments that have been traditionally difficult to map using modern methods.

“The ability to map underground and surface mining workings in high resolution provides an enormous advantage to mine planning and mineral exploration projects,” Burgex said. “With LiDAR capabilities of over 600,000 points per second and a 360° horizontal field of view, it is possible to quickly identify slopes, faults and other geological features in real time. In addition to generating <3 cm accuracy point clouds in real time, the ExynPak is also equipped with two FLIR Chameleon3 RGB cameras that are capable of colourising points – providing yet another layer of functionality to geologic mapping and mine planning projects.”

Leveraging portable LiDAR with aerial data collection provides a new level of flexibility in modelling for mining and mineral exploration projects that is not offered at many, if any, other mining consulting firms in the US, Burgex said. Combined with aerial mapping, the Burgex team can pin underground and surface LiDAR surveys to geo-referenced base surveys and maps – creating a completely modelled project that can be used for mine planning, exploration programs, and more.

Additionally, Burgex Mining Consultants has recently added a DJI Matrice 300 RTK (M300) to its fleet of UAVs, providing even greater capabilities for aerial data collection.

“Not only can the M300 collect data more efficiently that other UAVs, but it can also simultaneously carry up to three payload sensors,” the company said. “The M300 has a max transmission range of up to 9.3 miles (15 km) with a 55-minute maximum flight time. The IP45 water and dust protection ratings and expanded operating temperatures will enable operation in a broader range of field conditions.”

Stuart Burgess, CEO and Co-Founder of Burgex Inc, said: “We are very excited about the addition of this new equipment and the new services we will be able to provide for our clients. From underground to surface, we’ll be able to map and model projects quickly and with centimetre accuracy, which is something that used to be very difficult and expensive to achieve, especially in underground environments. These new tools represent the next generation of mining and mineral exploration advancements.”

Alpha Unmanned Systems to take part in Inmarsat UAV Pop-up lab

Communications in mining, Mine surveying, Mining equipment, Mining software, , , , ,

Alpha Unmanned Systems, a Spain-based designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted gasoline-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) helicopters, has been selected to participate in Inmarsat´s UAV Pop-up lab.

Alongside six other UAV companies, Alpha will execute a range of missions using Inmarsat´s global satellite network, “enabling beyond line of sight operations and global resilient command and control capability for safer and more efficient flight operations”, it said.

The UAV Pop-up lab is a unique innovation programme exploring the value of satcoms in the commercial UAV sector, according to the company.

“As part of the Pop-up Lab, Alpha Unmanned Systems will integrate the Inmarsat connectivity services using the Cobham AVIATOR UAV 200 terminal on to its Alpha 800,” Alpha said.

The Alpha 800 is a tactical gasoline powered helicopter UAV that provides three hours of continuous flight with a 3 kg payload, according to the company. It is equipped with the “lightest and strongest airframe in its class” and a military-grade autopilot with high precision GPS and sensors, Alpha said. Originally conceived for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, it is now also used for many other services, including delivery of urgently needed supplies.

Using this equipment and services, Alpha will execute a beyond visual line of sight mission to deliver urgent medical supplies in a limited/no radio-frequency coverage area. The mission will use Inmarsat satcoms to enable long-range control and real-time video streaming from the Alpha 800 tactical helicopter UAV, aiding the precise delivery of sensitive cargo such as medical supplies, Alpha said. “The three-hour flight time of the Alpha 800 means that a very large area can be covered, and its vertical take-off and landing capabilities allow for very precise control during missions.”

The company continued: “Inmarsat´s satellite technology brings tremendous benefits for UAV missions in remote areas with poor terrestrial network coverage or rough terrains where radio line-of-sight is hard to achieve. Utilising Inmarsat’s global L-band network, the Alpha 800 will be easily deployed to execute missions anywhere in the globe, ideal for humanitarian agencies and governments with a need for precision delivery of sensitive, time-critical cargo in remote areas.”

Jordan Picard, Digital Incubation Lead at Inmarsat, said: “We are delighted to work with companies such as Alpha Unmanned Systems to push the boundaries of innovation in the commercial UAV sector.”

Trial outcomes will be presented at a showcase event on May 30, 2019 at Inmarsat’s headquarters.

Japan’s Terra Drone invests in underground aerial robotics startup Inkonova

Automation, Base metals, Coal technology, Energy minerals, IoT, Mine surveying, Mining safety, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

Terra Drone, a leading global commercial drone technology company, has acquired a significant stake in Inkonova AB, a Swedish startup developing aerial robotics for underground mining.

The deal, comprised of a cash injection, will see changes to the management team, as well as technical, business development, and operational collaborations, Inkonova said.

Terra Drone’s UAV inspection, survey, and other service provisions cover various industries globally including mining, which just happens to be Inkonova’s main market.

Ahmed AlNomany, Inkonova AB Co-Founder and CEO, said: “Terra Drone’s global network of clients, post-processing domain, service-based business model, customer experience, technical personnel, and human and financial resources, will help us dramatically ramp up our business development and commercial-readiness efforts, taking our technology to the next level.”

Under the deal, Inkonova will supply Terra Drone with its UAV core technology, including anti-dust and waterproof platforms (as in the TILT Ranger, pictured) and infrastructure-denied autonomous navigation (as in the Batonomous technology), while Terra Drone – apart from providing finance – will employ its global clients, local offices, pilots, post-processing capacity, and broader commercial and technical domain expertise.

Toru Tokushige, Founder and CEO of Terra Motors Corp and Terra Drone Corp, who will be appointed as an Inkonova board member, said the company had been looking to partner with other companies in the mining field in order to expand.

“Underground mining still has huge issues. According to the statistics from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the number of lost-time injuries in 2015 was 4,517 in America, and those of other developing counties were incomparably high.

“So, I hope the cooperation between Terra Drone, with its broad network and innovative technologies, and Inkonova, the eminent company for mining drone services, contributes to the rapid and further technical improvements for underground safety and productivity.”

In line with the partnership, Inkonova’s products will undergo rebranding to streamline with Terra Drone products, details of which will be announced later this month.

Inkonova’s products include aerial platforms, and aerial autonomous navigation/mapping solutions customised to the constraints of underground mines, and subterranean or constricted industrial spaces.

Earlier this year, Inkonova demoed the Batonomous navigation system for its TILT Ranger and TILT Scout underground drones in Gällivare with LKAB. It has since also worked with Barrick Gold on the Golden Sunlight mine in Nevada.