Saifullah Sani
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Key Points
- A recent exposition in Tianjin that feature inflatable unmanned aerial vehicles has illustrated the breadth and ambition of Chinese UAV designers
- State-owned prime Norinco has also unveiled an unmanned ground vehicle similar in design and role to the US' LS3 UGV
A new inflatable unmanned aerial vehicle seen at a unmanned technology exhibition held in Tianjin, China, at the end of August 2014. (Via Top81 website)
According to Chinese press reports a family of inflatable UAVs were unveiled at the 29-31 August 2014 Tianjin International UAV and Model Aircraft Technology Exhibition.
Chief designer Zhang Bing Yan introduced the "software aircraft", which he filed patents for in 2011. In comments reported by local media he made it clear that he required greater funding to better develop the concept.
The inflatable UAVs at Tianjin were designated SF-1, SF-2 and SF-3 with wingspans of 2.5 m, 3 m and 4.3 m respectively. Zhang explained they have a useful load of 25 kg, a speed of about 20 km/h, range of about 100 km and a maximum altitude of 4,000 m. The UAVs can be filled with normal air or helium or hydrogen to achieve greater buoyancy.
Apparently constructed of thin polyvinal chloride (PVC) such as used on a common air mattress, the UAVs also use air inflation valves from an air mattress and were seen at the show being filled with a simple electric air-pump. Payloads apparently are carried near the centre-of-gravity, while externally-mounted servos operate control flaps. The UAVs at the show used electric motors and Zhang's craft employs automatic programme/computer-control to fly missions.
Co-sponsored by China's State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry in National Defence (SASTIND) and the Tianjin Defence Industry Association, the Tianjin UAV exhibition attracted 60 exhibitors. These sponsors were also keen to promote Tianjin as a centre for UAV research, with many universities and companies developing UAV platforms and software.
In early September Norinco revealed a "Mountain Quadruped Bionic Mobile Platform": a four-leg walking unmanned ground vehicle. A brief mention in a Chinese press report noted that it could perform transport, reconnaissance or combat missions or could be used for disaster relief in mountainous areas.
A China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) quadruped robot seen in early September 2014. (Via Top81 website)
The same article noted that it weighs 130 kg while carrying a payload of 50 kg at a maximum speed of 6 km/h. It can traverse a 30 degree slope and has an endurance of two hours. An image showed it carrying four backpacks.
Another center for quadruped robot research in China is the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. In 2011 it revealed its Four-legged Robot for Optimal Gait (FROG), a 55 kg technology demonstrator. An image of a test model for a quadruped robot similar to the Norinco model was seen on Chinese web pages in July 2013.
Norinco's revelation shows that it is not going to cede potential markets for future quadruped robots to US companies like Google, which acquired quadruped robot pioneer Boston Dynamics in 2013. In July 2014 as part of the RIMPAC exercises, the US Marines Corp trialed a Boston Dynamics designed quadruped robot called LS3. A militarized version of the Boston Dynamics Big Dog, it can carry a 180 kg payload over a distance of 20 km.
Tianjin expo reveals Chinese UAV innovations, aspirations - IHS Jane's 360
