A team of Australian engineers has unveiled their preliminary design for a small scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) launcher that could prove a life saver.
Brisbane-based company Suave Inc.'s proposed launcher enables small scale UAVs to become more useful in more places. In particular, it expands the scope of civilian applications available to UAVs.
The launcher is designed with the average layperson in mind - it is inexpensive, reliable and as easy to assemble as an IKEA product.
It uses elastic technology, essentially a large rubber band that slingshots the UAV, for propulsion. This is cheaper and simpler to operate than the dominant explosive system.
Suave Inc.'s launcher also ensures that small scale UAVs do not require a runway to take flight - they can be launched almost anywhere.
The Suave Inc. team behind a model of their UAV launcher. Photo: David Faraker.
These design attributes have potentially life-saving implications. In October, Suave Inc. aims to demonstrate the launcher's capacity to perform search and rescue operations by staging a mock rescue of a distressed swimmer. A small scale UAV will drop a buoyancy vest to save the swimmer.
Suave Inc. is hopeful that Surf Life Saving Australia will adopt their concept as a new way of saving lives on Australian beaches.
The launcher should also benefit the agricultural industry, with UAVs able to closely monitor crop growth. In fact, UAVs could be used to survey any large area.It uses elastic technology, essentially a large rubber band that slingshots the UAV, for propulsion. This is cheaper and simpler to operate than the dominant explosive system.
Suave Inc.'s launcher also ensures that small scale UAVs do not require a runway to take flight - they can be launched almost anywhere.
The Suave Inc. team behind a model of their UAV launcher. Photo: David Faraker.These design attributes have potentially life-saving implications. In October, Suave Inc. aims to demonstrate the launcher's capacity to perform search and rescue operations by staging a mock rescue of a distressed swimmer. A small scale UAV will drop a buoyancy vest to save the swimmer.
Suave Inc. is hopeful that Surf Life Saving Australia will adopt their concept as a new way of saving lives on Australian beaches.
Suave Inc. expects the launcher to become available during November in Australia, with international sales to follow soon after.
Suave Inc.'s ultimate goal is to create a market in which anybody can purchase small scale UAVs for any purpose.
~David Faraker.
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