Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

AUTOKITE

Experimental Use of a Low Cost Autonomous Kite Plane for Aerial Photography and Reconnaissance

  • Published:
Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An experimental kite-plane capable of autonomous aerial imaging is introduced as a viable low-cost small-scale civilian UAV imaging platform ideal for field use. The AUTOKITE fulfills a need currently unmet by other fully automated Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), resulting from ease of operation, extended flight time, and overall reliability. The AUTOKITE is outfitted with an off-the-shelf autopilot system, and has demonstrated fully autonomous flight in field deployments while collecting high-resolution (~12 cm/pixel) images. The AUTOKITE has been used to map regions historically prone to earthquakes along the Southern San Andreas Fault in California. Comparative image methods enabled by photogrammetric software, like Agisoft’s PhotoScan, are then used to discern Structure-from-Motion (SfM) from a multitude of aerial images taken by AUTOKITE (Fonstad, Earth Surf. Process. Landf. 38:421–430, 2013). Processing SfM data from overlapping images results in the creation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Orthophotos for geographic areas of interest. In addition to sample data sets illustrating the SfM process, The AUTOKITE is compared with three alternative UAV systems, and payload integration/automation details are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  1. Jackson, S.P.: Controlling small fixed wing UAVs to optimize image quality from on-board cameras, pp. 138. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, University of California, Berkeley (2011)

  2. Dees, P.: Hang glider design and performance. In: Proc. of the 2010 AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference. Fort Worth, Texas, 13–15 Sept 2010

  3. Beard, R.W., Kingston, D., Quigley, M., Snyder, D., Christiansen, R., Johnson, W., McLain, T., Goodrich, M.: Autonomous vehicle technologies for small fixed-wing UAVs. J. Aerosp. Comput. Inf. Commun. 2(1), 92–108 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Cai, G., Feng, L., Chen, B., Lee, T.: Systematic design methodology and construction of UAV helicopters. Mechatronics 18.10, 545–558 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rawashdeh, O.A., Yang, H.C., AbouSleiman, R., Sababha, B.H.: Microraptor: a low-cost autonomous quadrotor system. In: Proc. of the 2009 ASME/IEEE International Conference on Mechatronic and Embedded Systems and Applications (MESA09), Paper num. DETC2009-86490, San Diego, CA, 1 Sept 2009

  6. Fonstad, M.A., Dietrich, J.T., Courville, B.C., Jensen, J.L., Carbonneau, P.E.: Topographic structure from motion: a new development in photogrammetric measurement. Earth Surf. Process. Landf. 38, 421–430 (2013). doi:10.1002/esp.3366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Macmillan, R., Jones, R., Mcnabb, D.: Defining a hierarchy of spatial entities for environmental analysis and modeling using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Comput. Environ. Urban. Syst. 28.3, 175–200 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Massonnet, D., Thatcher, W., Vadon, H.: Detection of postseismic fault-zone collapse following the Landers earthquake. Nature 382(6592), 612–616 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Smith, M.J., Pain, C.F.: Applications of remote sensing in geomorphology. Prog. Phys. Geogr. 33(4), 568–582 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ákos, Z., Nagy, M., Leven, S., Vicsek, T.: Thermal soaring flight of birds and unmanned aerial vehicles. Bioinspir. Biomim. 5(4), 045003 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Telemaster FunsterV2 fixed-wing. www.hobby-lobby.com. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

  12. Rotomotion SR30 gas helicopter. www.rotomotion.com. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

  13. MikroKopter Quadro quadrotor. www.mikrokopter.us. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

  14. Udrones AP-X foam plane. www.udrones.com. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

  15. Canon CHDK development kit. www.chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

  16. APM2.5 autopilot control board. www.diydrones.com/notes/ArduPilot. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

  17. Agisoft Photoscan software. www.agisoft.ru. Accessed 1 Jan 2013

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Autonomous System Technologies Research & Integration Laboratory, ASTRIL, Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, SESE, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Patrick McGarey & Srikanth Saripalli

Authors
  1. Patrick McGarey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Srikanth Saripalli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick McGarey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McGarey, P., Saripalli, S. AUTOKITE. J Intell Robot Syst 74, 363–370 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-013-9974-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-013-9974-8

Keywords