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08 Jan 16. Cockpit Holograms for Manned-Unmanned Teaming. The US Army wants to convert data from multiple distributed sensors into a 3-D hologram beamed inside a cockpit. The goal is to ease the workload on Army pilots overwhelmed by flying their own aircraft while trying to operate unmanned aircraft in manned-unmanned teaming, according to the Army research solicitation.
“Each individual sensor will provide full-motion video as well as accompanying metadata describing the geospatial position and orientation of the sensor,” the Army said.
“A centralized processor will analyze the imagery from each sensor to render the scene in three dimensions, and synthesize information collected from many distributed sensors into a single common database. The MC [mission commander] can easily manipulate the display to view the environment from any vantage point without the risk of entering dangerous airspace or the expense of time and fuel to reposition an aircraft. The three-dimensional world model will also support the display of additional information using synthetic visualization methods, such as flight paths, line-of-sight calculations, and weapon effectiveness ranges.”
The 3-D hologram would be seen on a head-mounted display or flat-panel display. “The use of an HMD will allow the imagery to be presented as a virtual hologram, allowing the MC to see a virtual representation of the entire battlespace floating inside their cockpit,” said the Army. (Source: UAS VISION/C4ISR & Neteworks)
07 Jan 16. The Government of Canada announces a new vision system to support the inspection and maintenance of the International Space Station. A contract to develop a new advanced space vision system that will be mounted on Dextre was announced today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Minister Bains was joined by Greg Fergus, Parliamentary Secretary, and Sherry Romanado, Member of Parliament for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne. The contract, worth $1.7m, was awarded to Neptec Design Group Ltd. of Ottawa, Ontario, to develop the design for the system, which will be launched in 2020.hip au cœur du développement économique du Québec
The vision system will use a combination of three sensors—a 3D laser, a high definition camera and an infrared camera—to support the inspection and maintenance of the ageing infrastructure of the International Space Station (ISS). The vision system can also assist in docking of spacecraft visiting the Station.
Dextre, the CSA’s robotic helper on board the ISS, will use the system to inspect the Station’s external surfaces and sleuth out signs of damage. The harsh environment of space takes its toll on the Station: in addition to the natural ageing of the orbiting lab’s materials, the Station is regularly hit by small meteorites and orbital debris. Roughly the size of a microwave oven, the new vision system will reveal damage that in some cases remains hidden to the naked eye, or that is located in places that are hard to reach or difficult to see.
This investment in space technology ensures Canada remains a world-class innovator at the forefront of space activities and a reliable international partner in space exploration. It furthers innovation and technology development that will have benefits for Canadians on Earth.
Quick facts
• This technology builds upon a legacy of a long line of Neptec vision systems, including a laser camera system on Canadarm2 that was used to inspect the tiles of the US Space Shuttle. Rendezvous and docking sensors were also used on board each of Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft to assist the resupply ship in docking with the ISS.
• Regular inspections are crucial for keeping the ISS healthy and operational. Today, this is done either by ca