Bioinspired optical sensors for unmanned aerial systems

Javaan Chahl; Kent Rosser; Akiko Mizutani

doi:10.1117/12.880703

19 March 2011 Bioinspired optical sensors for unmanned aerial systems

Javaan Chahl, Kent Rosser, Akiko Mizutani

Proceedings Volume 7975, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication; 797503 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.880703
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Insects are dependant on the spatial, spectral and temporal distributions of light in the environment for flight control and navigation. This paper reports on flight trials of implementations of insect inspired behaviors on unmanned aerial vehicles. Optical flow methods for maintaining a constant height above ground and a constant course have been demonstrated to provide navigation capabilities that are impossible using conventional avionics sensors. Precision control of height above ground and ground course were achieved over long distances. Other vision based techniques demonstrated include a biomimetic stabilization sensor that uses the ultraviolet and green bands of the spectrum, and a sky polarization compass. Both of these sensors were tested over long trajectories in different directions, in each case showing performance similar to low cost inertial heading and attitude systems. The behaviors demonstrate some of the core functionality found in the lower levels of the sensorimotor system of flying insects and shows promise for more integrated solutions in the future.

Citation Download Citation

Javaan Chahl, Kent Rosser, and Akiko Mizutani "Bioinspired optical sensors for unmanned aerial systems", Proc. SPIE 7975, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication, 797503 (19 March 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.880703

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