INL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Science

Robotic Air Monitoring System

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Overview

The project team is developing a real-time automated

guidance system on an aerial

platform to collect air samples

within airborne plumes to

collect them most accurate

data it possibly can. The team

is also researching methods to

improve the stability of small

unmanned aerial platforms

that perform these functions

to improve their consistency

and overall performance

under various conditions.

Instrumentation is also being

added to ensure that when

sample are taken, an on board

global positioning system

(GPS) will record the location, and time of the sampling

event. Other features the team

is developing include: lowpower, lightweight, and

portable air sampling devices;

and, designing all aspects of

the aircraft to limit its impact

on the air being sampled. As

part of this research activity,

the following elements are

also being developed:

• Mobile sensor interface

design

• Ground- and aerial-based

mobility platforms to test

sensors, robots, and human

interfaces

• Sensor development,

modification and optimization for field-ready

deployment and improved

mobile platform navigation

• Video and photographic

capabilities.

New Technology

The small robotic air sampling systems are unique in

that they enable a user to

collect samples in hazardous

environments that previously

were impossible to collect. In

addition, these smaller

systems are less expensive to

purchase, own and operate.

And, the difficulties associated with always piloting

The Environmental Services Project and the Human, Robotic and Remote Systems

Department of the Idaho National Laboratory have teamed up to develop the Robotic

Air Monitoring System. This system uses state-of-the-art technology to characterize

contaminated airborne plumes — such as those caused by wildfires and other unexpected

events.

INL’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) expertise is recognized for its

autonomous control architecture, and its use in aircraft like this

helicopter that has a range of up to two miles, a flight time of one

hour and a total sampling time of 1/2 hour.

small remote controlled

aircraft within a line of sight

are being resolved. With the

technology developed for this

program, it is now possible to

fly the systems beyond line of

sight and into hazardous

areas.

Innovations

The system not only uses

GPS, it also has advanced

attitude sensing, and a

microcomputer to automatically fly the craft to a sample

collection point and then

return to the launch area.
INL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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05-GA50193-11

For more information

INL is a U.S. Department of

Energy national laboratory

operated by Battelle Energy

Alliance

Management Contact

Jerry Harbour

Acting Manager,

Human Robotic & Remote

Systems Department

208-526-4301

Jerry.Harbour@inl.gov

Technical Contacts

Mark McKay

208-526-0539

Mark.McKay@inl.gov

Matt Anderson

208-526-4308

Matthew.Anderson@inl.gov

Another key technology is the

ability to actually collect an

air sample using a new light

weight, low-power, and

portable air sampler. The

equipment collects the sample

and records the total volume

of air in the sample. Once the

craft lands, the sample filter

can be removed and analyzed.

In addition to grab sampling,

real-time sensors and video

surveillance equipment may

be installed to enhance its

ability to gather other useful

data.

Accomplishments

We have successfully deployed

a small unmanned aerial fixed

wing platform containing a

small GPS navigation package.

During the deployment, a

small UAV was air lifted to a

starting altitude and position,

and the autonomous control

system was activated and

autonomously flew the preprogrammed course —

maintaining the desired

altitude and relaying real-time

video and GPS coordinates.

This seven ounce navigation

package, including the GPS

unit and servo controller, cost

less than $500. This work is

currently being applied to

small roto-craft vehicles that

are basically small-size

helicopters. These small

helicopters can carry three

times the payload of fixed

wing aircraft. These small

helicopters have been deployed

to take required photographs

for a Wastewater Land Application Permit, and pictures for

an interactive mapping project

involving a Vadose Zone

Research Park.

The monitoring system is also being designed to share information

with other autonomous unmanned ground vehicles that perform

environmental monitoring.