Skip to main content

u-blox GPS satellite receiver module aids unmanned microdrone flight

Equipped with an on board u-blox GPS satellite receiver module, a microdrone from German light-weight vertical take off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) manufacturer, microdrones, has successfully completed a high-precision aerial journey over the Alps from Switzerland towards Italy. Precise GPS coordinates and elevation were crucial for navigating obstacles and completing the flight in punishing weather conditions. Carrying a high-resolution video camera, the autonomous microdrone completed 18 pre-programmed
July 2, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Equipped with an on board 602 U-Blox GPS satellite receiver module, a microdrone from German light-weight vertical take off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) manufacturer, microdrones, has successfully completed a high-precision aerial journey over the Alps from Switzerland towards Italy.

Precise GPS coordinates and elevation were crucial for navigating obstacles and completing the flight in punishing weather conditions.  Carrying a high-resolution video camera, the autonomous microdrone completed 18 pre-programmed flight segments, mapping designated landmarks along the way.
 
“This successful journey of our microdrone demonstrates the robustness, reliability, and versatility of our autonomous drone technology which is being increasingly used for aerial mapping, surveying, search and rescue, security, utilities inspection, and aerial photography.” said Sven Juerss, microdrones CEO, This autonomous flight would not have been possible without the robust, ultra-precise, real-time satellite positioning technology from u blox.”
 
“Fully automated devices are increasingly used to do tasks that are too costly and dangerous for human operators,” said Herbert Blaser, VP Business Marketing at u-blox, “this is an application that exploits all the features of our satellite navigation modules; fast, accurate-fix, low-power consumption and reliable operation in extreme environmental conditions.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Valeo acquires Peiker, expands connectivity offering
    December 23, 2015
    Automotive supplier Valeo is broadening its range of connectivity solutions with the acquisition of German on-board telematics supplier Peiker. Valeo is developing an extensive range of high-technology systems using ultrasonic sensors, radars, cameras, laser scanners, head up displays and software to make the car of the future more intuitive to drive, safer and more efficient. The integration of Peiker into the Valeo group will allow the French based automotive supplier to offer automakers global solutions
  • Toyota introduces DAB traffic information in Belgium
    October 9, 2012
    Toyota is to equip all of their Toyota Land Cruiser V8, Grand Prius+ Lounge version, Prius Solar Premium version cars sold in Belgium with traffic information for their in-car systems on DAB, powered by provider of traffic and mobility information, be-mobile, and using the RTBF DAB network in French-speaking Belgium and the VRT DAB network in Flanders. The company says DAB represents a major industry advancement for real time traffic information; larger traffic data volumes can be processed which in turn en
  • Video developments in automatic incident detection
    May 22, 2012
    David Crawford reviews technological progress with automatic incident detection Highway safety problems are likely to intensify given recent predictions of future traffic growth across the world. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that currently over 30,000 deaths and 1.5 million injuries occur as the result of accidents on the nation’s roads each year. These figures will increase with the number of kilometres travelled each year in the US expected to gr
  • Wi-SUN: here’s why mesh networking works
    May 10, 2019
    There are several networking options available for smart city planners. Phil Beecher of Wi-SUN Alliance makes the case for wireless mesh networks when it comes to rolling out IoT solutions The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing fast. Connecting thousands of sensors and control systems in bi-directional networks is paving the way for a new generation of smart city and transport infrastructures. For many of these applications, wireless connectivity is essential where cable installation is not practical.