Considering Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs) the planning tasks mainly consist of finding paths between given waypoints with respect to given constraints. In this paper we developed a path planning system for flying UAVs (VTOLs and CTOLs) built upon Hexagonal grids which also supports simple dynamics (handling with speed). The planning system is additionally supported by a trajectory smoothi...

We present in this paper an integration scheme of a low-cost inertial attitude and position reference system for a mini unmanned helicopter by utilizing the robust and H1 filtering technique. The result has been successfully implemented and tested on our mini-scale unmanned helicopter. Simulation and flight experiment results show that the proposed technique is very effective in real-time and s...

This paper approaches detection and tracking of an aero-modelling helicopter with a laser range-finder. The sensing device can complement vision for aerial vehicle control in operations such as landing or taking off from the ground. To this end, a conventional 2D laser scanner has been adapted for 3D operation by means of a motorized base. First experimental results are presented for a small-sc...

Nursing bouts by 15 muskox (Ovibos moschatus) calves were measured to evaluate potential use of nursing behaviour as an indicator f muskox responses to helicopters. The muskox calves nursed 225 times during 313 hours of bservation: 63% under undisturbed conditions; 12% when helicopter overflights took place; and 25% following those overflights. During exposure to the helicopter, the calf moved ...

A control algorithm for autonomous helicopter autorotation is proposed and evaluated. The algorithm consists of a multiphase control law with fuzzily defined transitions and provides outputs in the form of collective commands, desired forward speed, and maximum pitch and roll angle limits. The algorithm is designed to be used in conjunction with an inner loop velocity tracking controller. A uni...

–The UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) systems like unmanned autonomous helicopters are used in various missions of flight navigation and used to collect the environmental information of the surroundings. To realize the full functionalities of the UAV, the software part becomes a challenging problem. In this paper embedded real-time software architecture for unmanned autonomous helicopter is propos...

This paper will outline the technical challenges of dynamic interface modelling & simulation, with a specific example of the Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP). This program, one of the most ambitious helicopter simulation programs undertaken to date, has helped both to understand the potential of rotorcraft simulation today, and to realize the limitations of technology. The...

BACKGROUND Helicopter air ambulance crews are influenced in their selection of the destination hospital for their patients by several factors including: distance from the scene; facilities, on site specialties, and senior cover of the receiving hospital; and the proximity of the helicopter landing area to the emergency department (ED). Only a limited number of hospitals have landing sites adjac...

In the absence of visual orientation cues, the inadequacy of the vestibular sense often contributes to orienting illusions [1] during flight. Spatial disorientation (SD) plays a significant role in helicopter accidents [2, 3], often when outside visual references are lost during landings in dusty environments [4]. The lack of ambient visual cues, the close proximity to the ground, and the urgen...

Helicopter Safety Study 3 (HSS-3) is a Norwegian joint industry research project established in 2008. The main objectives of the study are to assess the risk level associated with offshore helicopter transportation, propose indicators to monitor safety, and identify safety measures for further improvement. The study will address risk through two complementary approaches: one using risk influenc...