Remotely deployable aerial inspection using tactile sensors

Macleod, C. N.; Cao, J.; Pierce, S. G.; Sullivan, J. C.; Pipe, A. G.; Dobie, G.; Summan, R.

Abstract

For structural monitoring applications, the use of remotely deployable Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) inspection platforms offer many advantages, including improved accessibility, greater safety and reduced cost, when compared to traditional manual inspection techniques. The use of such platforms, previously reported by researchers at the University Strathclyde facilitates the potential for rapid scanning of large areas and volumes in hazardous locations. A common problem for both manual and remote deployment approaches lies in the intrinsic stand-off and surface coupling issues of typical NDE probes. The associated complications of these requirements are obviously significantly exacerbated when considering aerial based remote inspection and deployment, resulting in simple visual techniques being the preferred sensor payload. Researchers at Bristol Robotics Laboratory have developed biomimetic tactile sensors modelled on the facial whiskers (vibrissae) of animals such as rats and mice, with the latest sensors actively sweeping their tips across the surface in a back and forth motion. The current work reports on the design and performance of an aerial inspection platform and the suitability of tactile whisking sensors to aerial based surface monitoring applications. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 40TH Annual Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation: Incorporating the 10th International Conference on Barkhausen Noise and Micromagnetic Testing
• Start Date: Jul 21, 2013
• End Date: Jul 26, 2013
• Acceptance Date: Jul 21, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Feb 17, 2015
• Publication Date: Feb 18, 2014
• Journal: AIP Conference Proceedings
• Print ISSN: 0094-243X
• Electronic ISSN: 1551-7616
• Publisher: AIP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1581
• Pages: 1873-1880
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4865052
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/821082
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4865052
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 40th Annual Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation