The National Optics Institute (INO) has purchased ING Robotic Aviation's Responder rotary wing robotic aircraft system, which includes the aircraft as well as a Ground Control System (GCS) and ancillary equipment, for an advanced sensor integration project. Delivery of the overall system, as well as a condensed one-week training package, is scheduled for early Spring 2014.
The robotic aircraft was sold to INO, a Canadian photonics company, with the purpose of integrating a hyper spectral camera into the platform. Once integrated, the aircraft will be transferred to INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique) in order to be used as a technology for scientific research. Unique in Canada, the integrated airborne imaging system purchased by INRS will support lake and river water quality control, help coastal zone management, ease snow and ice cover monitoring, and allow precision agriculture studies. The system will not only provide valuable scientific data but will also help to design the next generation of Earth observation satellites.
“Teaming with world-class partners like ING and INRS, INO has shown, once again, its versatility and expertise to integrate optics and imaging technologies to the novel and fast emerging field of low-altitude airborne characterization of rivers, farmlands, and forests” said Dr. Paul-François Paradis, Senior Researcher at INO.
"Responder is as an excellent tool to aid scientific research in Canada," said Ian Glenn, CEO and CTO of ING Robotic Aviation. "Our equipment will be used to get the right information, into the right hands, at the right time."
“We are also happy to be identified by and working with another innovative company like INO.”
The stabilized payload platform has been specially designed for heavy lift that allows the aircraft to hold up to 11kg of sensor weight. This highlights Responder’s flexibility: it is also easy to use, performs well in adverse weather conditions, and is readily maintainable and robust.
ING Robotic Aviation delivers airborne sensing solutions and much more. We developed our skills through extensive operational surveillance work with the Canadian military. From these beginnings, we are now providing commercial services including critical infrastructure inspections, forest fire monitoring and land use planning in North America and other regions. Our clients are discovering whole new uses and capabilities for robotic aviation. We are at the forefront of a disruptive technological and operational change, focused on reinventing aviation.
INO is a technological design and development firm for optic and photonic solutions for SMEs and large corporations. It is home to the largest concentration of skill in the field and serves clients of all sizes from all parts of Canada and around the world. INO offers a complete range of integrated services in the fields of optics/photonics to clients of all descriptions in every field of industrial activity. It also possesses a variety of technologies and innovative processes based on a strong IP portfolio. These assets could represent unique business opportunities for companies wishing to commercialize them.
INRS is a university dedicated to fundamental and applied research, graduate studies and the training of researchers in its four research Centres in Quebec City, Laval, Montreal and Varennes. Part of the Universite du Quebec network, INRS University ranks first in Canada in terms of research intensity (funding per faculty member).