Unmanned Systems Technology 010 | nuTonomy driverless taxi | Embedded computing | HFE International marine powertrain | Space vehicles | Performance monitoring | Commercial UAV Show Asia report

4 I was disappointed to learn that technical issues have forced Michael de Lagarde and Antoine Delafargue to postpone until next year their seven-day underwater cycle ride from Plymouth in England to St Malo in France. De Lagarde’s company Delair-Tech developed the DT18 UAV we featured in issue 4 (Autumn 2015). Now, while the Projet Poisson Pilote submarine isn’t unmanned – on the contrary, de Lagarde and Delafargue will take turns to put in the necessary 18 hours a day of pedalling – its navigation is autonomous, since GPS isn’t available underwater. A downward-pointing camera takes photos of the seabed every few seconds and then, in conjunction with an optical speed sensor, calculates the relative displacement of the submarine in relation to the sea floor by means of a specific algorithm. Thus is the trajectory of the vessel deduced throughout its crossing while the camera captures data for research purposes. But the point of this story is the spirit of adventure demonstrated by a UAV engineer prepared to spend an entire week submerged under the English Channel, his fact-finding two man-powered capsule negotiating strong currents and discarded ammunition dumps. That pioneering ethos is fundamental to Unmanned Systems Technology . And the good news is that the exploration of new technological frontiers – be it anywhere from the bottom of the sea to outer space – doesn’t have to be at the risk to life and limb. You’ll find it characteristic of all the projects featured in this publication. Be inspired! Ian Bamsey | Editorial Director Tales of adventure October/November 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology Intro | October/November 2016 Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Staff Writer Stewart Mitchell Contributors Peter Donaldson Rory Jackson Mark Venables Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Dr Donough Wilson Design Andrew Metcalfe andrew@meticulousdesign.com UST Ad Sales Please direct all enquiries to Simon Moss simon@ust-media.com Subscriptions Jim Cavanagh jim@ust-media.com Publishing Director Simon Moss General Manager Chris Perry Office Administrator Frankie Robins EchoBlue Media Online Publisher Caroline Rees caroline@echobluemedia.com Subscribe today @ www.ust-media.com Editorial opportunities Do you have a strong technical knowledge of one or more aspects of unmanned systems? As we grow we are on the lookout for experts who can contribute to these pages. If that sounds an interesting challenge then don’t hesitate to explore the possibility of writing for us by emailing me: ian@ust-media.com Protected property The latest system-related patents Get on board Embedded computing solutions Mission control Autonomy for space exploration UST 10 :OCT/NOV 2016 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Volume Two | Issue Six October/November 2016 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 (0)1934 713957 Fax: +44 (0)20 8497 2102 www.highpowermedia.com ISSN 2056-9823 Printed in Great Britain ©High Power Media All rights reserved. Reproduction (in whole or in part) of any article or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, the publisher can accept no liability for errors or omissions. Nor can responsibility be accepted for the content of any advertisement. US COPIES ONLY Unmanned Systems Technology ISSN No: 2056-9823, is published by High Power Media in England and is distributed in the United States by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. Postmaster please send address changes to: Unmanned Systems Technology, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available from High Power Media at the address above or directly from our website. Overseas copies are sent via air mail. UST SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS 1 year subscription – 15% discount: UK – £75; Europe – e 125 USA – $150; ROW – £97.50 2 year subscription – 25% discount: UK – £135; Europe – e 225 USA – $270; ROW – £175.50 Make cheques payable to High Power Media. Visa, Mastercard, Amex and UK Maestro accepted. Quote card number and expiry date (also issue/start date for Maestro)