UK engineering and design company Plextek has partnered with Norwegian drone specialist Griff Aviation for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a load capacity of up to 250 kg for use in the construction sector.
Griff Drone. Image: Griff Aviation
The autonomous drones could be potentially used to carry building materials and equipment to remote or difficult-to-reach construction sites.
Plextek has developed on-board software and an e-scan micro radar which together can detect power lines from a distance of 60 metres and larger obstacles such as bridges and buildings from up to 300 metres.
According to Plextek, the equipment operates in the 60 GHz frequency, meaning it can be used in most territories without interfering with other equipment in the vicinity.
Griff UAVs have been fitted with the Plextek tech and are being trialled in Norway. Further test projects are lined up in Japan and Australia.
Peter Doig, Business Development Director at Plextek, said his company has “established internationally recognised expertise in mm-wave radar over the last six years and is now applying its technology for the ‘sense and avoid’ navigation of drones and other UAVs”.
“The Griff Aviation project is particularly challenging and exciting as up until now, most drones have been used for light weight payloads and heavy lift drones require very precise and reliable flight control,” he continued.
Hans Petter Forde, technical lead at Griff Aviation, said: “Innovation is needed to develop heavy lifting UAVs with robust systems for navigation and sensing. Plextek’s micro radar technology is ahead of the field and is ideal to fit our needs. We believe firmly that working together, Plextek and Griff Aviation will develop a system that will set the standards for the future of UAS navigation.”
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