Jan 7 2013
Unmanned Innovation, a leading provider of Development Platforms for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), announced that it has partnered with VectorNav Technologies to integrate VectorNav's VN-100 inertial measurement unit (IMU) into its os-Series Autopilots.
Unmanned Innovation's os-Series Autopilots offer a customizable solution that enables rapid prototyping and cost-effective production of fixed-wing, helicopter, multi-rotor, and custom configuration UAS. Unmanned Innovation has integrated VectorNav's VN-100 miniature, calibrated MEMS-based, surface-mount IMU to provide customers the option of a fully calibrated and thoroughly tested IMU.
Unmanned Innovation's os-Series Autopilots, made commercially available for the first time in November 2012, combine modular hardware with an open architecture, making each autopilot a Development Platform. The os-Series Autopilots are offered in multiple form factors with features tailored for various vehicles, payloads, and applications. Each os-Series Autopilot is a complete integrated solution and contains an INS/GPS with air data incorporating the VectorNav VN-100, a datalink radio, payload interfaces, and a Linux computer within one miniature package; starting at just 32 grams. The os-Series Autopilots come with professionally written flight control and mission software which Unmanned Innovation provides under a royalty-free license that allows for easy modification, extension, and inclusion in proprietary products.
Unmanned Innovation's osFlexPilot Autopilot.
The partnership between the two companies began during AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America 2012 conference in August, where Unmanned Innovation was introduced to VectorNav's VN-100 and recognized it as an attractive alternative to their existing inertial measurement sensors due to its small form factor, low-cost, and high-precision calibration. Unmanned Innovation's flexible architecture allowed for quick integration of the VN-100 and VectorNav provided custom firmware with a faster update rate to make the IMU compatible with Unmanned Innovation's requirements.
The VN-100 IMU, calibrated for bias, scale factor and misalignment errors at room temperature or over the entire thermal operating range of the sensor increased the accuracy of the os-Series Autopilot navigation solution. After a short development cycle, testing and verification, VectorNav's VN-100 IMUs are now fully integrated within Unmanned Innovation's os-Series Autopilots. The complete os-Series product line is currently shipping to customers in the USA and abroad and is free of ITAR restrictions.
"We are very pleased to be working with Unmanned Innovation on their os-Series Autopilot, which we find to be a very unique and high-value product that fills a significant gap in this market," said John Brashear, VectorNav's President. "We hope that the VN-100 adds to this value by allowing Unmanned Innovation to focus on their strengths improving the os-Series while securing a long-term, dependable sensing solution and partnership with our company."
"We're very excited about working with VectorNav as their well calibrated hardware has added enhanced accuracy to our os-Series Autopilots," said Jonathan Downey, CEO of Unmanned Innovation.
About Unmanned Innovation:
Unmanned Innovation specializes in professional grade, customizable autopilots which act as Development Platforms for micro to mid-size fixed-wing, helicopter, multiple-rotor, and custom configuration UAS. Made commercially available in November 2012, Unmanned Innovation's os-Series Autopilots integrate hardware, tailored to specific needs, with an open architecture. This combination gives Unmanned Innovation's autopilots the flexibility to be used on both development and production aircraft platforms, enabling UAS manufacturers to rapidly develop diverse and innovative UAS for commercial and military applications, while creating and maintaining intellectual property.
About VectorNav Technologies:
VectorNav Technologies specializes in manufacturing high-performance navigation and inertial sensors using the latest miniature MEMS inertial sensor technology. Since its founding by five graduates of Texas A&M University in 2008, VectorNav has been providing customers worldwide access to high quality, fully calibrated inertial sensors with state-of-the-art digital filtering technology. With a strong background in aerospace engineering and experience in the development and testing of spacecraft, launch vehicles, and micro-aerial vehicles, VectorNav brings high performance aerospace filtering and calibration techniques into the world of low-cost industrial grade MEMS sensors, expanding the possibilities of today's MEMS sensor technology.