Work Package 7 (WP7) focuses on demonstrating the capabilities of the CoreSense architecture within a real-world industrial application: drone-based photovoltaic (PV) power plant inspection. The primary objective is to showcase how an autonomous swarm approach, enabled by CoreSense, can enhance the robustness and efficiency of PV plant inspections compared to current methods.
Drone Inspection Testbed
The Drone Inspection Testbed (TB2) addresses the limitations of existing PV inspection solutions, which typically rely on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to capture geo-referenced aerial images of the entire installation. In contrast, TB2 uses an autonomous swarm of drones that leverage the collective awareness provided by the CoreSense architecture. In this testbed, we use the benefits of previous aerial robotic systems frameworks, such as Aerostack2, as a baseline to compare the benefits of using CoreSense technology for swarm PV plant inspection.
Key Features and Capabilities
Autonomous Swarm Approach: Unlike traditional single-drone systems, the autonomous swarm in TB2 operates collaboratively, enabling more comprehensive and efficient inspections. The drones communicate and coordinate in real-time, sharing data and insights to cover larger areas more quickly and accurately.
CoreSense Integration: The CoreSense architecture enhances the swarm’s capabilities by providing cognitive models and decision-making frameworks that allow the drones to adapt to changing conditions and optimize their inspection routes dynamically.
Improved Robustness and Efficiency: By working together, the drones can perform redundant checks and verify anomalies detected during the inspection. This collective awareness reduces the likelihood of missing defects and ensures a higher overall inspection quality.
Technical Work Packages Contributing to WP7
- WP2 (Cognitive Architecture): Supplies the architectural framework and cognitive models necessary for the autonomous and understanding capabilities of the drones used in WP7.
- WP3 (Cognitive Modules and Structures): Provides the cognitive capabilities that enable the drones to perform complex tasks and adapt to new scenarios autonomously.
- WP4 (System Lifecycle and Toolchain): Ensures that the tools and processes developed are robust and can be integrated into the drone inspection system.
- WP5 (ROSification of Software Assets): Implements ROS2 platform capabilities, facilitating the integration of CoreSense technologies into the ROS ecosystem, which is essential for the seamless operation of the drone swarm.
Example Scenarios
Robot Failure and Recovery: If a drone encounters issues such as battery decay or GPS loss, it either performs an emergency landing or is assisted by the swarm, ensuring minimal disruption to the inspection process.
Emergency Landing: Drones with critical battery issues perform immediate or planned emergency landings, and the swarm dynamically re-plans the mission to maintain coverage and safety.
Data Quality Assurance: The swarm detects discrepancies in sensor data or image quality, triggering re-inspections or mission adjustments to ensure accurate and reliable inspection results.
Conclusion
The Drone Inspection Testbed in WP7 exemplifies the transformative potential of CoreSense technology in industrial applications. By employing an autonomous swarm approach, WP7 aims to set new standards in the inspection of photovoltaic power plants, making the process more efficient, robust, and reliable. As we continue to develop and refine these capabilities, we look forward to delivering innovative solutions that will benefit the renewable energy sector and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates on our progress in WP7 and the exciting advancements in drone-based PV inspection technology.
