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Easy Aerial perfects autonomous landing with LightWare’s LW20/C microLiDAR® sensor.
Easy Aerial’s autonomous drones
Easy Aerial stands at the forefront of drone-in-a-box technology, offering a distinctive solution for autonomous drone operations. With their innovative technology, drones can seamlessly take off, execute missions, and safely return inside durable plastic cases, all without the need for human pilots or operators.
The company’s autonomous drones provide uninterrupted surveillance and inspection capabilities, even in remote and isolated areas. Easy Aerial’s drone-in-a-box system is designed to withstand extended periods outdoors, remaining on standby for weeks or months without human intervention, yet always prepared for autonomous deployment when required.
The problem
Easy Aerial dedicated three years of engineering resources to develop a landing algorithm aimed at guiding autonomous drones back to their designated boxes upon mission completion.
The development team experimented with several technologies, including GPS, pressure measurements, optical lasers, and ultrasound, all of which proved inadequate in delivering the desired landing accuracy.
To ensure safe and accurate landings, the algorithm required precise measurement of the dynamic height relationship between an Easy Aerial drone and the tight constraints of its designated landing zone.
Landing in a box
What makes Easy Aerial’s system unique is its return-to-box precision landing.
These boxes serve as both charging stations and protective shelters from the elements. Therefore, ensuring a precise landing sequence upon completion of a mission is paramount. With no human operator present to manually guide the drone into its box, even minor inaccuracies in landing could disrupt the system’s functionality
The solution
After researching the potential of LiDAR sensors the team at Easy Aerial selected the LightWare LW20/C microLiDAR® as their preferred landing sequence sensor.
"LightWare’s LiDAR sensors are incredibly light and compact, with the necessary range and sensing capabilities required in a landing sequence sensor."
- Ivan Stamatovski, CTO of Easy Aerial
Ivan Stamatovski, CTO of Easy Aerial, expressed his satisfaction with LightWare stating, “Easy Aerial designs and makes drones in multiple sizes that can be tethered or free-flying. All of our products require precise detection of distance to ground and objects in front of them.
LightWare’s LiDAR sensors are incredibly light and compact, with the necessary range and sensing capabilities required in a landing sequence sensor. The LW20/C is an impressive 100-meter sensor. It was the combination of accurate distance measurement, the sensor’s low weight and compact size that sold us.“
Easy Aerial’s customers
Easy Aerial’s drone-in-box systems are used primarily by government agencies in 21 countries. LightWare’s sensors deliver mission confidence for Easy Aerial users – even in demanding outdoor environments.
This IP67 rated microLiDAR® sensor ensured superior accuracy at an ultra low weight. LightWare’s commitment to quality and reliability ensures reliable autonomous drone operations under challenging conditions.
Through its partnership with Easy Aerial, LightWare is revolutionizing the field of autonomous drone solutions, offering customers unparalleled precision and reliability in surveillance and inspection operations.
LightWare’s LW20/C makes a difference
After years of research and development, a representative from Easy Aerial emphasized the importance of a dependable technology partner and component supplier: “The LightWare purchasing experience has been impressive, with reliable lead times. We’ve faced challenges with other vendors, especially during the pandemic. With LightWare, there is complete transparency when ordering, and we value that honesty. While Easy Aerial continues to evolve, we consciously choose LightWare’s microLiDAR® distance sensors, which have been integrated into our drones for the past four years.“
With thousands of LightWare’s microLiDAR® sensors already in the field, the LW20/C will continue to ensure precise landing sequences for Easy Aerial drones, guiding them autonomously back home for recharging and preparation for their next mission.
This meticulous landing precision is integral to Easy Aerial’s drone-in-a-box system, enabling effective autonomous surveillance and inspection applications.
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