[ RadSafe ] Engineering team developing helicopter that would investigate nuclear disasters

[Cary Renquist]

Interesting "toy"...
Not sure how well it's rad seeking mechanism would work in a real-world
situation where there are quite a few confounding signals (hospitals,
patients, etc.)  If it homes in on the "brightest" source, then it would
likely end up hovering outside some thyroid patient's window.
The sample retrieving 'bot is an interesting feature.

Cary
--
Cary.renquist at ezag.com


Engineering team developing helicopter that would investigate nuclear
disasters 
 http://j.mp/b3SgLA


Kochersberger and his team re-engineered a remote-controlled
Yamaha-built Unmanned Aerial Vehicle RMAX helicopter to fly in fully
autonomous mode. They also created flight control software algorithms
that will direct the helicopter to radioactive sources on its own
accord. To carry out various missions, the researchers outfitted the
helicopter with various "plug-and-play payloads" as the vehicle's weight
capacity is limited. The payloads are easily loadable and unloadable
boxes that fit snugly under the helicopter's main body, carrying devices
that would detect radiation levels in the atmosphere and on the ground,
and take video and still images of damage. Flight control software would
allow the mission to be changed mid-flight.

One payload is unique: A miniature tray-like robot on treads that can be
launched via a tether wire from the helicopter to collect evidence. The
helicopter would hover over the robot, and pull it back via the wire. A
student team is building this robot, which will boast not only "chunk"
sampling capability, but also a miniature vacuum which could suck up
dust and dirt.