Unmanned Vehicles Systems
Amtech Aeronautical has a proven experience in the modification and conversion of several air and ground vehicle platforms to a controllable remotely operated vehicle in conjunction with DRDC Suffield including a six wheeled skid steer all-terrain vehicle, a hydraulically actuated bobcat excavator, as well as several other specially designed test platforms including aerial platforms. Amtech can also provide custom software development and troubleshooting for the integration of various other system components including navigation, audio/video transmission, custom sensors, vision processing and tracking, driving remotely, autonomous operation as well as any special function unique to the platform being controlled. Recently Amtech has been working with DRDC Suffield to develop and test a common command and control system that would allow for the control and monitoring of various both commercially available and custom developed platforms using a single ground control station.
Amtech has been intimately involved with the development of a custom control station that allows for the control and monitoring of multiple vehicles and platforms by a single operation. Autonomous operation based on GPS coordinates can also be sent to the platform to allow for unattended operation.
Unmanned Air Vehicles Payload Development
Amtech Aeronautical has developed several different payloads and sensor packages for a variety of unmanned air vehicle platforms. Most recently this work has included development of a custom sensor payload board and Data Acquisition System (DAS) for the FLIR R70 platform. The first generation of the payloads are currently being used for trials with the development of the second generation that expands on the capabilities and interfaces ongoing including the development and testing of a more seamless integration into the FLIR flight control software and aircraft interfaces.
Custom Payload Development For Unmanned Systems
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Payloads
Amtech Aeronautical has been working for several years with government and civilian agencies in the detection and identification of Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) agents utilizing small unmanned aerial vehicle platforms (UAVs). This work has led to several commercially available CBRN sensors being integrated into a Data Acquisition System (DAS) that can be carried on a FLIR Skyranger R60 Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). This work has been continued and is being migrated onto a newer Skyranger R70. These systems are also capable of being mounted on ground vehicle platforms or connected into a networked array of sensors located in buildings or other trial areas.
Unmanned Ground Vehicle Development
Amtech has been involved in all aspects of the development of unmanned systems including custom embedded hardware and software development to the mechanical/electrical installation of motors and actuators to allow for remote operation.
Some of our more recent projects include the following:
UNIVERSAL SENSOR AIRCRAFT/GROUND DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS (DAS)
Amtech is currently involved in the development of a universal data acquisition system capable of being mount on both unmanned air and ground vehicle platforms with a variety of civilian and military sensors. This system includes an embedded controller with a custom daughter board capable of interfacing to a wide variety of systems and communication buses.
GENERIC ROBOTIC CONTROLLER BOARD (GRC)
Amtech was involved in the development, procurement and assembly of the robotic controller boards to be used as a generic controller board capable of operating the various robotic platforms used at DRDC Suffield. The board featured multiple interface ports including CAN and serial as well as being capable of driving high current outputs.
BOBCAT EXCAVATOR
Amtech was involved in the conversion of a stock Bobcat excavator into a tele operated robotic platform to be used as a demining test platform. The project involved the conversion of the hydraulics to be electronically actuated as well as the addition of numerous sensors and actuators to allow for remote operation.
MICROHYDRAULIC TOOLKIT ROBOT PLATFORM (MHT)
MULTI AGENT TACTICAL SENTRY (MATS) / GROUND CONTROL STATION DEVELOPMENT
Amtech has been involved in the development and programming of a new Ground Control Station capable of adjusting itself to the various robotic platforms that can be tele operated or autonomously controlled by an operator. The system is capable of multiple vehicle control and brings back a variety of information based on the sensors and capabilities of the vehicles being actively controlled.
nSCORPION EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE ROBOTIC PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT
Amtech has been involved in the repair and development of additional functionality and capabilities for an Explosive Ordinance (EOD) robotic platform to improve its search and rescue capabilities using a LIDAR sensor as well as to provide a stable platform for various research to be conducted on. Control is done remotely through a ground control station that provides the operator with video / audio feedback as well as control and feedback of the various joints and drive actuators.
For more information of any of these projects please contact us at (403) 529-2350 in Medicine Hat Alberta.