Development of a prototype autonomous navigation system for an unmanned VTOL (UNISTEP Project 2nd Phase)
The Innovative Action 'INCUBATOR OF IDEAS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' - UNISTEP is implemented within the Regional Program of Innovative Actions 'CRINNO - Crete Innovative Region'. The action aims to create a favourable environment for the development of University Student Entrepreneurship. The program is implemented by the Technical University of Crete (TUC), the Foundation for Research and Technology / Scientific and Technological Park of Crete (FORTH/STEP-C) and the University of Crete (UOC).
IS&RL participated in the second phase of UNISTEP project in order to construct a prototype autonomous navigation system for an unmanned VTOL, during the period from April 2005 until November 2005.
The unmanned VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicles, are a special class of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), designed and utilized for highly specialized missions due to their ability to land in difficult and restricted size areas (like a ship deck), high maneuverability and ability to hover over specific areas of interest, serving as ideal platforms for target inspection and identification.
The target in this project is to design an autonomous navigation system for a VTOL. This system must have the full control of the VTOL and perform way-point navigation (navigation through input points).
The system is going to be tested on the VTOL of IS&RL. The further target is this system to be used as a commercial product.
