AUV mission autonomy extension in remote locations

The idea started with the intention to design an AUV application for surveillance in remote areas. Today we have available high performance UAV’s capable of performing sophisticated missions in full autonomy but available energy is the bottleneck. We need replacing the batteries or connect a battery charger. Both of these operations require human intervention.

Further the mission data must be taken from the UAV and be read out or sent to a base station.

My idea is to use the wireless technology to recharge the batteries at the remote location of the UAV using solar panels and wireless energy transfer.

For the limits of this Challenge participation no expensive UAV or solar panel will be used. Costs must be limited to be much less than the final prize ;-)) and compatible with my financial capabilities.

To demonstrate the feasibility of the project, the UAV will be simulated by means of an electrical fan, the solar panel will be simulated by means of a car battery periodically recharged from an external charger.

The mission will be simulated by activation of the fan, measurement of a few parameters, their storage and subsequent transfer during the recharge period.

Data transfer from the UAV simulator will contain at least Battery voltage, fan speed and motor temperature every 5 secs. This will demonstrate the transfer of fresh data at any simulated mission.