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WiBotic – a Seattle-based firm that makes a speciality of superior charging and energy optimization programs for the quickly increasing ecosystem of aerial, cell, house and industrial robots – launched PowerPad Pro, a stand-alone platform that may additionally seamlessly combine into any current hangar or different UAV storage facility. PowerPad Pro robotically costs drones with out bodily connection factors, whereas wirelessly transferring flight knowledge, photos and video.
WiBotic’s new PowerPad Pro with a drone. | Source: WiBotic
“PowerPad Pro enhances drone functionality for our partners working in environments where autonomous or semi-autonomous operations are a priority,” Ben Waters, co-founder and CEO of WiBotic, mentioned. “We designed it as a flexible solution for those who either already own and operate drones – and have their own infrastructure in place – or those who are looking for a more cost-effective option for fully autonomous operations. PowerPad Pro can be used as a stand-alone landing platform, or it can be integrated into any number of enclosures and form factors such as trailers, sheds, or even truck beds.”
One of WiBotic’s first companions for PowerPad Pro is Valmont Industries Inc., a world chief that gives important infrastructure and advances agricultural productiveness whereas driving innovation by know-how.
“Valmont has been working closely with WiBotic and other partners to enhance our drone inspection capabilities,” Angi Chamberlain, VP of UAS Technology Solutions at Valmont, mentioned. “For the first time, PowerPad Pro provides a charging platform that works with any of the different UAVs we use. Remote flight plan uploads and automated sensor data downloads also allow us to perform inspections on a moment’s notice at any location where the platform is deployed.”
Wireless Data Transfer
During battery charging, PowerPad Pro’s wi-fi knowledge switch permits UAVs to rapidly and simply obtain flight and sensor knowledge to an industrial pc contained in the pad. The knowledge can then be processed regionally and/or robotically transmitted to a central location utilizing LTE or long-range knowledge backhaul radios.
Using the identical wi-fi knowledge hyperlink, distant operators can add flight plans or monitor flights in actual time, making certain secure and managed flights. Without this functionality, high-resolution photos, video and different knowledge can rapidly fill the UAV’s onboard storage. By eradicating this restriction, PowerPad Pro gives extra flexibility and flexibility within the missions that UAVs can carry out.
Autonomous Charging
In addition to wi-fi knowledge switch, PowerPad Pro additionally robotically begins wi-fi battery charging upon touchdown. This eliminates the necessity for cables and connectors and permits totally different sizes and sorts of UAVs to share a typical touchdown pad platform (or collection of platforms) deployed throughout massive areas.
Unlike contact-based charging stations, WiBotic’s patented know-how gives energy by the air. The pad is totally sealed to the weather, defending each electronics and mechanical elements from mud, particles, rain, bugs and different environmental elements which will ultimately impression reliability. Programmable voltage and present additionally assist lengthen battery lifespan, decreasing the necessity for expensive battery replacements and upkeep.
Industry Benefits
By providing these twin advantages – wi-fi knowledge switch coupled with autonomous charging – PowerPad Pro dramatically enhances drone operations throughout quite a few industries:
- Energy & Utilities: Utility operators want knowledge from infrastructure inspection day by day – not a few times a 12 months. Permanently deployed UAVs with the flexibility to fly a number of repetitive missions, utilizing one PowerPad Pro or a collection of them over lengthy distances, are essential for decreasing inspection prices whereas growing inspection frequency.
- Construction: Remotely monitoring building websites gives innumerable advantages by way of security, construct high quality and proprietor/builder/subcontractor relations. However, most building knowledge is extraordinarily excessive bandwidth and getting it to engineers and undertaking managers at distant areas is extraordinarily troublesome and not using a answer like PowerPad Pro.
- Defense: Drones are often outfitted with high-resolution cameras, infrared sensors and different superior imaging gear that collect terabytes of knowledge. In a fight zone, nonetheless, it’s extraordinarily harmful to depart a protected car to swap batteries or retrieve the SD playing cards that include that knowledge. A totally autonomous platform like PowerPad Pro ensures the warfighter stays protected whereas she or he gathers intelligence on enemy actions.
- Agriculture: UAVs have made monitoring 1000’s of acres of farmland simpler than ever earlier than – however that’s to not say it’s straightforward. Drones nonetheless have restricted flight time and restricted onboard knowledge storage. A community of strategically positioned PowerPad Pros solves this downside by offering charging stations throughout the complete farm and an computerized backhaul of knowledge to the farm HQ the place it may be put to quick use.
While these onboard chargers could be built-in into almost any UAV, Wibotic is happy to announce BlueHalo as the primary accomplice for PowerPad Pro. The BlueHalo Intense Eye V2 (IE-V2) and E900 fashions can now be bought with WiBotic’s PowerPad Pro to help each charging and knowledge offload.
“BlueHalo provides UAVs to both the commercial and defense sectors, with extensive experience in applications ranging from inspection and monitoring to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions,” Mary Clum, Sector President and Corporate Executive Vice President of BlueHalo, mentioned. “There is a growing demand for permanently deployed and remotely controlled UAVs. PowerPad Pro has given us a single, reliable tool to integrate autonomous charging and data offload capabilities into our UAV platforms, allowing us to offer new solutions and better support critical customer missions.”