Credit: ACSL
Commercial drones are developed and manufactured by ACSL, which also develops and manufactures industrial drones. Some examples of the commercial drones that ACSL creates and manufactures include the small aerial photography drone known as “SOTEN,” the medium-sized platform known as “PF2-AE,” the closed environment inspection drone known as “Fi4,” and the logistics drone known as “AirTruck.”
On July 14th 2022, a new drone called the “PF2-AE” was announced. The domestic medium-sized platform “ACSL-PF2” has been customised to make it easier to use depending on the application, and “PF2-AE Delivery (logistics)”, “PF2-AE Inspection (infrastructure inspection)” and “PF2-AE Disaster Relief / Patrol (disaster/security)” have also been included.
The most significant difference between ACSL-PF2 and SOTEN is that SOTEN’s technology has been relocated, and the same domestic dedicated application as SOTEN may now be used as base station software.
The controller can also be used in common with SOTEN, and by changing the UI (user interface), it has become possible to operate more intuitively. Anyone can easily create a flight route by autonomous flight.
The ACSL-PF2 so far has been characterized by its excellent customizability and has been used as a platform to meet diverse needs. By repeating various demonstration experiments, the PF2-AE has been narrowed down to three applications: logistics, infrastructure inspection, and disaster security, and the lineup has been expanded as an indispensable aircraft for social implementation of industrial drones. In addition, it is said that the selling price can be suppressed by solidifying the specifications.
In addition, demand for drones with high security is increasing due to the change in the government procurement policy in September 2020. PF2-AE is equipped with ACSL’s proprietary flight controller, and by encrypting communication, it can be used as a secure aircraft that reduces the possibility of information leakage. Equipped with an ACSL remote ID module as standard, it also supports the mandatory unmanned aircraft registration system from June 2022.
PF2-AE Inspection (infrastructure inspection)
The PF2-AE Inspection is an aircraft designed for inspection using a general visible camera or infrared camera, and can be equipped with four types of cameras. Only this aircraft is equipped with a 360° horizontal collision avoidance function as standard as a safety measure. One standard transmitter common to SOTEN is installed as standard, and the dedicated application “TAKEOFF” can be used.
PF2-AE Disaster Relief / Patrol
PF2-AE Disaster Relief / Patrol can select the above 4 types of cameras and replace them with the same gimbal. The difference from infrastructure inspection is that it does not have a 360° horizontal collision avoidance function, but it can support LTE communication as an option, and communication is possible in situations where out-of-sight flight is assumed, such as during disasters and facility security. It is possible. Equipped with one standard transmitter as standard. The dedicated application “TAKEOFF” can be used (a contract with NTT Docomo is required to use LTE above the sky).
PF2-AE Delivery (Logistics)
PF2-AE Delivery is an aircraft specialized for logistics applications equipped with LTE communication as standard, and it is possible to fly beyond the visual line of sight by securing communication even in places with poor visibility by video transmission and telemetry transmission using LTE communication. Payload is 1.5kg. Only this aircraft is equipped with two transmitters, and can be safely monitored by transmitters at two points, the takeoff and landing points. Marker landing function, logistic mechanism and shipping box are also installed as standard.
The person in charge said, “The PF2, which is the base of the PF2-AE, is the aircraft with the highest number of achievements in BVLOS without assistance (Level 3) in Japan, and is highly reliable.” Based on the results and experience of demonstration experiments so far, the requirements necessary for social implementation have become clear, and the transition to the mass production phase as a dedicated machine has begun.
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