yamaha helo flies to volcano
Amsnow
A Yamaha-exclusive autonomous-flight unmanned helicopter flew into volcanic spewings this past March when Japan's Mt. Uso blew for the first time in 22 years.
Located on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, the volcanic area was quickly declared a no-entry zone as several thousand local inhabitants were evacuated.
With the possibility of further volcanic activity still strong, the Japanese government established field headquarters to observe and gather information on the seismic activity.
Responding to a Public Works Research Institute of the Ministry of Construction's request for help, Yamaha set to work to equip one of its unmanned helicopters with a GPS-based autonomous-flight system. Soon the specially equipped helicopter and a Yamaha operations team were headed to Hokkaido to join in the observation operations.
The unique "RMAX Mt. Usu Observation Special Spec," helicopter being used to observe volcanic activity in the Mt. Usu area is a modified version of the production model Yamaha Aero Robot "RMAX." The Mt. Usu model is based around Yamaha's unmanned helicopter is used primarily in crop dusting.
The experimental model of the RMAX was immediately outfitted with a full range of special equipment to answer the call to service at Mt. Usu. This same experimental model had already been used to gather precious data in areas like the grasslands of Mongolia and the ice flows of the Okhotsk Sea, but only while flying within the visual range of the operator.
To meet the needs of the Mt. Usu assignment, the helicopter was rigged to operate under fully automated flight according to a computer map dictating the entire flight program. Including lift-off and landing, the unmanned mini-chopper made round-trips to the observation site without any dependence on the radio controller - normally used to operate the helicopter within the operator's range of vision.
Autonomous flight systems of this type are presently under development at universities and research organizations around the world, but this represents the first time that such a system has been put to practical use in observation operations outside the visibility range of the operators.
The Yamaha RMAX Aero Robot chopper is powered by a water-cooled, two-stroke, horizontally opposed, 246cc engine that was developed exclusively for purpose. This light and compact powerplant develops 21-horsepower and can handle up to 66 pounds of practical payload.
Yamaha Attitude Control System (YACS) offers stable air performance and easier operation by controlling all steering through the computer. A self-check system monitors control, drive, and receive functions.