Air Robotics, LLC, formerly Indiana Unmanned Aircraft Systems, announces the release of a new class of Unmanned Aircraft System built for use in a wide range of scientific applications, the Im VII AVSTM. The aircraft is currently integrated to hyper-spectral cameras for use in precision agriculture image capture and analysis. The images are used by growers to determine the health of their crops, insect infestation, storm damage assessment and nitrogen run-off analysis.
Jeff Imel, company founder and chief design engineer states, “Potential users require an aircraft that is capable to carrying a wide range of sensors and cameras. We designed our aircraft to meet this demand. The Im VII AVSTM is a universal airborne vehicle able to carry a wide range of sensors and cameras making it the platform of choice for organizations who wish to simplify their airborne fleet with one platform. Unlike most UAV’s that are built around a single sensor payload, the user can customize the Im VII with a wide range of sensors and cameras for on-demand missions, saving money over competitor systems. The design is so unique, it is appropriate to differentiate our aircraft from the standard, run-of-the-mill drone. Thus the nomenclature “Airborne Vehicle System.”
The company recently announced the successful completion of the Im VII AVS™ test flight program. The program consisted of 50 hours of flight time where the company worked through a series of test flight cards to explore the flight handling specifications and characteristics of the Im VII AVS. The Im VII AVS represents over six years of research and development into flying wing aircraft that do not require an onboard flight computer to remain stable in the air. The company is the only designer and manufacturer of all-wing aircraft developed specifically for scientific imaging applications. The company is working with universities and agriculture businesses across the states of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
