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Fuel systems

As discussed in our cover feature on page 24, the world of UAVs is converging around fuel-based powertrains...

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Additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing are pushing the limits of materials, processes and designs...

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Image sensors

One of the key tools for autonomous systems is the image sensor. To put that into perspective, about 30,000 people are killed on US freeways each year, and image sensor developers have the ambitious aim of reducing that to 300 using advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS)...

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Sonar systems

In the world of autonomous vehicles, demand has arguably grown faster for marine systems than for any other vehicle type...

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Solar power

Many UAVs and USVs now come fitted with solar panels covering much of their surfaces. The interest in solar energy comes from more than it being a potentially limitless source of green power; for uncrewed systems it extends autonomy in a practical sense.

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5G networks

While 5G phones are now widely available, and network operators are rolling out commercial 5G networks in urban areas around the world, the technology is also being developed with uncrewed systems in mind...

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AI

Machine learning (ML) and AI are used in many different ways and in different parts of uncrewed systems for a range of functions to boost their performance. For example, AI is used extensively for applications based on image processing....

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Propellers

Uncrewed systems have evolved over the past few years, leading to commercial, high-end UAV manufacturers attracting investment and setting up partnerships with organisations in markets including logistics, energy and defence....

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Performance monitoring

Monitoring the performance of uncrewed systems is evolving. The increasing number of sensors in a platform, with more integrated electronics to provide data about system...

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Connectors

The number of connections needed in an uncrewed vehicle for power and comms means that connector designs often reflect the nature of the vehicle itself. Lighter connectors help to make it less heavy, for example, while more rugged ones help it to better...