Bridging the Gap between Simulation and Real Autonomous UAV Flights in Industrial Applications

Autor: Rafael Perez-Segui, Pedro Arias-Perez, Javier Melero-Deza, Miguel Fernandez-Cortizas, David Perez-Saura, Pascual Campoy
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Aerospace, Vol 10, Iss 9, p 814 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2226-4310
DOI: 10.3390/aerospace10090814
Popis: The utilization of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased rapidly due to their ability to perform a variety of tasks, including industrial inspection. Conducting testing with actual flights within industrial facilities proves to be both expensive and hazardous, posing risks to the system, the facilities, and their personnel. This paper presents an innovative and reliable methodology for developing such applications, ensuring safety and efficiency throughout the process. It involves a staged transition from simulation to reality, wherein various components are validated at each stage. This iterative approach facilitates error identification and resolution, enabling subsequent real flights to be conducted with enhanced safety after validating the remainder of the system. Furthermore, this article showcases two use cases: wind turbine inspection and photovoltaic plant inspection. By implementing the suggested methodology, these applications were successfully developed in an efficient and secure manner.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals