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Imitating a test flight through simulations
imitating a test flight through simulation
Like so many research and development projects in the mining industry, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to our partnership with AutoModality™ (AM). Because of restrictions on travel and site accessibility, we had to develop a new testing strategy: simulating our test flights in a virtual environment. AM’s autonomous flight-control system Perceptive Navigation™ was uploaded to a virtual drone in the simulation environment, and we conducted our flight tests more quickly and efficiently than ever before. In many ways, this adaptation was a blessing in disguise: it allowed our team to develop new algorithms that would prove to expand our flight capabilities and improve the quality and quantity of data that we can collect. We are currently testing new technology to autonomously explore and map in vertical shafts, stopes, and caverns at the touch of a button and have resumed physical test flights on a limited basis. We have also upgraded our primary drone platform to the DJI M300 and are testing our flight-control and autonomous technology on other platforms that will enable us to fly in a variety of environments. Although COVID-related delays impacted all of us, we continue to work toward developing the most advanced autonomous drone for underground mining anywhere!
For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Ben Haugen, Remote Geotechnics Program Lead, Ben.Haugen@respec.com
Top photo: Screenshot of a Simulation of the Drone System Flying Autonomously in a Cave-Like Virtual Environment. Bottom photos: Photographs of the Updated Drone Platform (DJI M300) During Initial Flight Tests.
