Urban air mobility (UAM) has the potential to revolutionize transportation and provide sustainable mobility solutions. In the Fraunhofer ALBACOPTER Lighthouse Project, researchers from six Fraunhofer institutes have developed an innovative aircraft inspired by the albatross. This aircraft, known as the ALBACOPTER, combines the maneuverability of a multicopter with the efficiency of a glider. The project aims to address technical and social issues associated with UAM, and the ALBACOPTER will be showcased at the IAA MOBILITY trade show in Munich in 2023.
UAM requires aircraft and system technology that meet strict requirements, including safe and quiet VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) systems with powerful propulsion performance. While electric multicopters offer the benefits of VTOL agility and fulfill safety and environmental criteria, their limited range and payload capacity hinder their efficiency. To overcome these limitations, the ALBACOPTER utilizes larger wings, allowing it to glide for longer periods and improve its energy balance. However, this design poses challenges for take-off and landing in urban areas.
A Wide Range of Use Cases
The future of UAM is expected to be diverse, with various aerospace technologies used in logistics drones, air taxis, rescue and surveillance drones, and agricultural engineering. The Fraunhofer lighthouse project aims to explore these different paths and develop a flying platform that combines the agility of a multicopter with the efficiency of a glider. The ALBACOPTER is an experimental aircraft designed to meet these objectives, incorporating sustainable materials, high-performance propulsion systems, advanced sensor systems, and failsafe electronic systems.
The ALBACOPTER features drone bodies and cargo containers made from sustainable materials, such as biopolymer hard foam, which can be easily recycled. The structure and aerodynamic components of the aircraft are designed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF. The efficient propulsion design of the ALBACOPTER utilizes high-speed synchronous motors with multi-stage transmission and high power density, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT. The institute also provides a special propulsion test rig for testing eVTOL propulsion systems under realistic conditions.
The ALBACOPTER is equipped with a battery storage system based on cycle-resistant secondary cells, ensuring highly reversible charging and discharging processes. The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT conducted detailed investigations into cell degradation and failure mechanisms under specific flight conditions. The aircraft features robust, light, and high-performance multi-sensor systems for 360-degree environmental monitoring, utilizing sensitive LiDAR detectors created by the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS. The combination of AI systems and intelligent trajectory planning enables innovative functions like autonomous (emergency) landing.
Reliability and Flight Control
To ensure high reliability, the ALBACOPTER incorporates a fail-safe RISC-V on-board electrical system architecture, continuous monitoring, stable 5G communications, and a redundant autopilot system. The flight attitude control system, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM, keeps the aircraft stable during critical transition phases. The ALBACOPTER is intended to serve as a demonstrator for Fraunhofer technologies that are predicted to see increased demand in the aerospace and logistics sectors in the coming years.
The researchers are validating their design through multiple stages, including flight models, wind tunnel experiments, iron bird test rig structures, and system simulations. The Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB has developed a digital twin for conducting simulations. A scaled version of the ALBACOPTER with a wingspan of 7 meters and a payload capacity of approximately 25 kilograms will be launched in 2023. Extensive flight tests are scheduled for early 2024.
The ALBACOPTER represents a significant advancement in the field of urban air mobility. By combining the agility of a multicopter with the efficiency of a glider, this experimental aircraft offers a promising solution for sustainable transportation. The project’s focus on sustainability, advanced propulsion, and reliable flight control systems positions the ALBACOPTER as a key player in the future of UAM. As technology continues to evolve, the ALBACOPTER demonstrates the potential for a wide range of applications in the aerospace and logistics sectors.
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