Drones and Autonomous Systems

Specialist expertise

• Radar hardware
  
• Hyperspectral imaging
• AI, CV and image processing
• Georeferencing, mosaicization and 3D models
• Electronics and prototype building, instrumentation
• Development of drone platforms
• Operations, airmanship
• Field and logistics experience

Software and instrumentation

The researchers at NORCE develop software and adapt the payload to different needs:

Sensor systems - optical
Optical cameras, from UV to IR, have for years been the primary sensor on most UAV platforms. The applications range widely, but are mainly related to research activities within environmental mapping, land surveying, resource management, etc. This technology has been used in projects for mapping sea ice and icebergs in connection with maritime operations in the far north. NORCE also develops machine learning to use drone data to detect errors and deviations in airport operations and safety management.

Sensor systems - radar
The UAV Radar system development at NORCE has primarily focused on applications related to snow and ice. A UAV-mounted ground-penetrating radar has applications ranging from climatological studies with snow and ice parameters such as snow depth, density and stratigraphy over large areas, to the detection of buried objects or people in connection with e.g. avalanche search.

NORCE is also developing RPAS technology for operation under Arctic conditions, and especially in connection with operation from a ship mapping sea ice in the Arctic. This includes problems related to weather and climate, but also challenges related to operation from the ship, communication, processing and sharing of data, as well as measuring snow and ice parameters.

NORCE has had several projects where navigation systems are involved, either as a primary focus or as part of a larger project. Precise and reliable positioning has been a long term focus of the research group.

Communication systems

NORCE has several projects that focus on improving communication, navigation and identification of UAVs. This involves both the integration of drone platforms into existing air traffic control systems, and high-bandwidth communication systems for real-time visualization of data.

We are also working on the development of a drone system for the transport of general cargo between vessels, installations and land. The project focuses on developing a method for landing on moving vessels.

NORCE has installed and tested a number of optical image sensors on the Lufttransport Dornier aircraft stationed in Longyearbyen, as part of the SIOS-InfraNor project. The aircraft is instrumented to obtain aerial photographs and hyperspectral remote sensing data in addition to the normal transport operation. NORCE also has its own research aircraft in Tromsø, which we will put into operation during 2022.