GPS-非GPS領域を含む広域自律飛行可能なドローンシステムの提案

抄録

Achieving practical and full-scale use of drones will require a transition from first-person-view (FPV) flight based on visual radio control to autonomous wide-area, long-distance flight. However, technology that enables drones to fly autonomously over a wide area and long distances while feeding back positioning in ever-changing real-world environments has yet to be established. It is essential that R&D efforts take up both waypoint flight using GPS data and non-GPS autonomous flight. We have previously developed an integrated drone navigation system that combines autonomous waypoint-GPS flight and non-GPS autonomous flight using positioning based on ground images taken by an on-board camera. We have since been developing an autonomous wide-area, long-distance flight system that feeds back drone positioning in actual ever-changing environments via the public cellular network using an on-board mobile phone. We have achieved good results in basic operation trials for both systems demonstrating their potential for practical use.