Aiding with Optics

The main limitation for many microelectromechanical (MEMS) based inertial measurement units (IMUs) is the realization that drift will always be a factor when left uncompensated for. In today's market many solutions have been developed using GNSS data, magnetics, or optical sensors.

Optical data, when fused with an IMU, is useful for both dynamic and static applications depending on the level of computer vision implemented into the system. By using the IMU as a reference for orientation, optical data can be used to mitigate drift of the gyroscopes.

Inertial Labs has been continuously developing next generation systems that can use a combination of day and night operation cameras to stabilize heading.

Aerial Photogrammetry

Aerial Photogrammetric analysis may be applied to a single image or high-speed imagery and remote sensing to detect, measure and record complex  3D motion fields. This is done by feeding measurements and image analysis into computational models that estimate the relative motions and positions with increasing accuracy. While in its early days it was used mostly for topographic mapping, it’s application base has recently expanded into numerous industries. Modern sensors and software capabilities allow for the creation of precise 3D renderings and point cloud generation which is widely used in industries such as Filming, Sports, Game Development, Agriculture, Real Estate, Forensics, Land Surveying, and in Civil or Architectural Engineering. For these different applications, two methods of photogrammetry are used in practice today, Aerial Triangulation (AT), and a more modern approach, Direct Georeferencing.

Value Added AHRS

Since its first release, the Inertial Labs Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) has continued to develop and improve in its performance as well as its integration abilities. The newest addition, the AHRS-II-P, is a compact, lightweight, and affordable solution both as a standalone reference unit or a solution where applications involving the integration of an external compass or GNSS receiver may be needed to improve an existing system. Although the AHRS-II-P comes standard with an embedded fluxgate magnetometer to determine accurate Heading, input is supported for an external magnetic compass to increase static and dynamic accuracy. The AHRS-II-P offers advantages over its competitors present on the market by recording and transmitting very accurate Heading, Pitch and Roll; a very appealing choice for applications involving motion control such as UAV’s, aircrafts, ships, or robotic devices.

The Price of Safety

As of today, the leading cause of fatalities and injury in the construction industry is due to a falling related incident. Data that was gathered by the United States Department of Labor and published by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) found that in 2017, falling incidents alone contributed to 39.2% of the total construction tragedies(1). But how do these incidents happen?

Much of the conventionally used construction equipment is designed to safely extend a worker as far as possible in order to allow them to operate in difficult to reach places that current automated processes are not capable of doing. These working platforms are called Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs). Although effective by design for accomplishing work, these machines, when used improperly, can become dangerous. Below are a few examples of commonly used equipment where risk of injury is much higher.

Hydrography and Bathymetry

Bathymetric or Hydrographic surveys are survey methods used for submarine topography that have been implemented for observation of marine landscapes and structures for several decades. With the technology for executing a survey becoming more affordable, many businesses which can benefit from such data begin to pursue the proper equipment to use for themselves. Most users have a common goal of being environmentally aware of changes occurring due to the interaction with nature. Studying these changes usually involves measuring physical and chemical features of a body of water; or generating a 3D map of an underwater landscape/structure, to show its current state, or how it changes over time. A few examples of these survey methods being put into practice are:

• Floodplain analysis
• Dock maintenance
• Seafloor tectonic interpretation
• Submarine life conservation
• Submarine natural resources deposit investigations