As we find more opportunities
for the use of unmanned systems (US) across a wide spectrum of services and
roles, the importance of interoperability will continue to grow right alongside
the unmanned industry itself. “Interoperability is the ability of computer
systems or software to exchange and make use of information”. For example, “interoperability
between devices made by different manufacturers.”[1] Or
the “ability of a system (such as a weapon) to work with or use parts or
equipment of another system.”[2]
Both of these definitions are important because unmanned systems not only contain
programmable software which can be made to work with other systems but is also
a physical device which can have interchangeable parts and payloads.
The future of unmanned
systems includes the use of multiple devices or platforms in use simultaneously.
Interoperability is essential as some platforms with specific uses will be
paired in use with other platforms of differing manufacturers toward meeting
the goal of performing and completing the same mission. If the systems in the team
or package are made by different companies will the operator be able to swap
cameras or other payloads? For ease of use they should. Most computers have USB and SD card inserts. This is a type of interoperability and makes it easier
for those using multiple systems or changing to new systems able to transfer data
and maintain the type of data storage they have.
One possible scenario
and application of US I see is for wildlife tracking. Wildlife tracking is
another tool scientists use for data analysis and many other measurements and theories, such as climate
change and effects of pollution or human behavior on one specific species or the
environment. Having an airborne platform in an operation packaged with an underwater system to provide data and
share information would be very useful, but interoperability will be necessary.
The ability to share information and data will be key but possibly
interchanging payloads could be just as important. Operators using the devices
from a control station aboard a vessel could deploy the units as necessary or
the units may deploy themselves possibly dependent on parameters set by the
operator who may be controlling those US from a boat nearby or from dry-land.
For instance if a tagged animal were to come within a specified range then the
underwater or aerial drone deploys and tracks that target to provide
information on the animal or group of animals. These US could be housed and
operated from buoys rigged with solar cells to recharge the systems and to
extend the range and decrease the time to engage tracked animals saving time
and resources while creating valuable data to scientists.
Another potential
useful mode of interoperabilty with US is on highways. We have all been in
traffic and have all had to deal with accidents or something that creates that
traffic. UAS housed alongside the highway could, when necessary or when
programmed to, deploy to determine traffic patterns or the reason for high
traffic density. These UAS could relay this information to multiple sources
including emergency services with incident data for more efficient responses. As
well as personal devices to inform phone apps with the most update information
for traffic avoidance. Scientists or civil engineers could also use the data
gathered to better understand traffic patterns to create more efficient road way
systems. The US involved in these types of operations would need to be
interoperable though in order to speak to different types of systems that local/state
governments or civilian sector scientists might use to analyze the data
collected.
As the uses for
Unmanned Systems and the industry grows interoperability will grow alongside it.
Being able to use these systems with people in, on, and off the loop will be
equally as important and will allow for greater utilization and efficient use
of the technologies.
No comments:
Post a Comment