Flyability is showcasing an improved version of its Elios caged unmanned aircraft system (UAS) called the Elios 2 at the 2019 Xponential exhibition being held in Chicago from 30 April to 2 May.
The Elios 2 has been designed for inspection work in hazardous environments and is equipped with a 40 cm spherical carbon fibre cage that protects its propellers from impact or collisions. The structure can retract to protect the inner core from frontal shock.
The Elios 2 caged UAS can be used in confined spaces such as tunnels. (IHS Markit/Melanie Rovery)
The UAS is constructed from carbon fibre, magnesium alloy, aerospace grade aluminium, and thermoplastics.
It is equipped with four electric brushless motors and seven stability sensors for hovering. It can operate for up to 10 minutes before requiring a recharge. Three speed settings are available: 1.3 m/s in pilot assist mode, 4 m/s in attitude mode, and 6.5 m/s for sport mode.
The UAS features a new 4K ultra-high definition camera that can capture 12 MP stills and video with 0.18 mm/pixel resolution, enabling operators to better discern critical details within the camera’s field-of-view.
A thermal camera and dustproof 10,000 lumens LEDs have also been installed to improve situational awareness.
Navigation is supported by an inertial measurement unit (IMU), magnetometer, barometer, as well as vision and distance sensors.
Power is provided by a lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) 5S HV battery.
The UAS can be operated via a tablet-based control system, with a line-of-sight range of 500 m. It is equipped with a fail-safe mode that performs an automatic landing when signal is lost.
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