Shubham Sawarkar
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The world is becoming more accessible and user-friendly as a result of robotics and drones. Some companies decided to show off everything they have in mind for this genre at CES 2022 keynote this week.
Hyundai MobED
The Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED), a brand-new and ground-breaking tiny mobility platform based on cutting-edge robotics technology, was unveiled by Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) at CES 2022.
The MobED is designed in an unusual way. Its flat, rectangular body is supported by four huge wheels and an independent suspension system that allows for good body posture and stable movement even on slanted or uneven roadways. The platform’s suspension allows it to navigate through complicated urban situations by allowing it to freely modify its wheelbase and steering angles.
The MobED adapts and reaches perfect standing on diverse road surfaces and settings thanks to unique technology such as an advanced ‘Eccentric Wheel’ drive and high-tech steering, braking, and altitude control systems. The three motors that are installed on each wheel provide power and precision steering while also managing the body’s general posture.
In-place rotation and omnidirectional movement are possible because of the intelligent design arrangement of each wheel, which includes an individual power and steering control system. This allows for very effective mobility even in tight spaces.
By altering the height of each wheel in response to the ground environment, the eccentric mechanism-based posture control system additionally stabilizes the body’s attitude. The 12-inch pneumatic tires of the MobED assist to absorb even more shocks and vibrations.
MobED is 50kg and measures 67 cm long, 60 cm wide, and 33 cm high. Its wheelbase stretches to 65 cm for maximum stability in high-speed driving, then shrinks to 45 cm for low-speed movements in more steep hills. It has a top speed of 30km/h and a battery capacity of 2kWh, allowing for about four hours of travel on a single charge.
The MobED is designed for maximum portability and modularity, allowing it to be used for a variety of applications based on the installed device. The wheel flexibility, compact body size, and low vibration characteristics of the platform are expected to make it an ideal technology option for delivery, guiding, and filmmaking equipment, according to the Group.
The platform can also be utilized for service robots that can operate both indoors and outdoors, thanks to its excellent agility.
When the platform is sufficiently raised for individuals to mount it, MobED can be utilized as a mobility aid for the elderly or disabled. It can be used as a stroller or a recreational vehicle.
Sony Airpeak S1
Sony claims that the Airpeak S1 is the world’s smallest drone capable of carrying a full-size mirrorless Alpha camera. This drone can soar with a top speed of 55.9mph, a flight length of 22 minutes with a payload (without payload), and a 0 to 50mph acceleration of under 3.5 seconds.
The landing gear retracts so that the field of view is not limited, and the propellers are removable for convenient transportation. This is a cool method to get your Sony Alpha camera off the ground if you have one.
The Sony Airpeak S1 Professional Drone costs approximately $8,999.99 in the United States and can be purchased from Adorama and at other stores, check them out below.
Airpeak Base is a web-based system for controlling overall drone operations, notably automating flight planning and storing flight logs. Airpeak Base can be set up with a single Airpeak S1 or with a fleet of them. Reviewing equipment status and usage logs, downloading flight logs from the drone, and setting up error warnings and maintenance reminders are just a few of the administration capabilities.
To improve information security and accountability in aircraft utilization, separate accounts can be formed. Because it’s a web-based application, all data is conveniently saved on the cloud, allowing team members to view it from anywhere. It also aids Sony’s Airpeak S1 customer service staff in providing more efficient problem responses.
Mission Flight mode makes use of Airpeak Base’s Projects section to allow you to design automated flight plans that can be executed by the pilot using the Airpeak Flight mobile app. Along with controlling the gimbal direction and timing of image and video capture, you may set the drone’s speed and position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) along a timeline. This mode, like a camera on rails when you’re on the ground, can be saved and run multiple times.
Repeat Flight function correctly recreates historical flight paths, including gimbal and camera movement, from flight logs. Pilots maintain manual control in both Mission Flight and Repeat Flight modes to fine-tune the route and settings at the time.
Airpeak Flight is a mobile app that allows you to control your aircraft, remote, camera, and gimbal using your optional Apple devices, including iPhone or iPad (requires iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 or later). You may check the flying distance, battery usage, and other information while in flight.
In Mission Flight mode, Airpeak Flight can also be used to confirm and execute automated flight plans prepared by Airpeak Base. Pilots retain control of the gimbal and camera during automated flights in Mission Flight mode and can check aircraft status, monitor equipment, and view a live feed from the nose-mounted FPV camera.
The propulsion and numerous sensing metrics, such as IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), direction, barometric pressure, and infrared range, are integrated by the flight control system and ESC (Electronic Speed Control). The S1 can correctly establish its spatial position and orientation in real-time thanks to five stereo cameras (front, rear, left, right, and bottom) and two IR range sensors.
This feature reduces camera shake while flying at low altitudes and is required for automatic obstacle avoidance in congested regions or when GNSS reception is unavailable. If an impediment is identified, the S1 can activate the obstacle braking function, which automatically decelerates or stops the plane if necessary. Obstacle braking can also be activated manually if necessary.
Flight Modes
- Standard Mode: Ensures all sensors and obstacle detection are on
- Velocity Mode: Reduces effects of wind on hovering, turning, and maneuvering
- On Course Function: Pilots can accomplish accurate recreations of circular flight paths
- All Modes: You can customize maximum speed, angles, acceleration rates, and other parameters
The Return to Home (RTH) feature automatically returns the drone to its starting spot when the battery is low or the remote controller signal is lost. If there are obstructions in the way of a straight flight, the aircraft will calculate an alternate route intelligently. Pilots can also use RTH to relieve themselves of the responsibility of flying the plane home at the end of a shoot.
Before starting its motor, the Airpeak S1 does a comprehensive system check, alerting you to any potential faults and prohibiting takeoff and landing if they are too severe. Self-diagnostics can also be performed while in flight, alerting pilots to any problems so that an emergency landing can be made if necessary.
The Airpeak S1 and optional gimbal may be controlled in real-time with the provided remote controller. The dual Futaba-designed control sticks, as well as various aircraft, gimbal, and camera buttons, can all be modified if necessary.
In addition, four configurable buttons can be assigned to activities that correspond to your unique flying requirements. The remote’s mobile device holder can open up to 7″ to accommodate an Apple iPhone or iPad. Use the built-in HDMI connector to broadcast video to an optional monitor for external drone footage monitoring by a product team.
Skydio 2+
With the usage of drones, we’ve seen the cinematic world change. This year, the Skydio 2+ was presented with the capacity to navigate obstacles on its own. This concept is aimed mostly at filmmakers and content developers. It has a 5GHz Wi-Fi radio for better connectivity over greater distances. With the controller, you’ll be able to fly up to 1.86 kilometers away.
The new upgraded battery provides you with a flight time of 27 minutes. Keyframes are used by the Skydio 2+ to create pre-determined flight trajectories for spectacular images.
