Sep 7 2010
Seattle-based company, LaserMotive demonstrated a small model helicopter that hovered continuously for a long time. The model helicopter was powered by few watts of laser power. The demonstration was carried out at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems Conference in Colorado. The demonstration proved that lasers, which are utilized to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles, can be used to keep the same vehicles in the air.
Multi-mission UAV, recharging in between missions
LaserMotive’s system utilizes a laser power beaming technology that provides continuous power supply to the helicopter. Military agencies use standard unmanned vehicles that are both strong and heavy and thus require large amount of power to hover in the air. However, the ground-based lasers can provide the required amount of power to the unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to a new report, the focused light produced from a semiconductor-diode near-infrared laser automatically tracks a radio-controlled helicopter. The helicopter carries PV cells that are optimized for the laser wavelength. The PV cells converts approximately 50% of the incoming laser power to produce several watts of electricity, This electricity was sufficient to power the helicopter’s rotors.
LaserMotive has received a $900,000 contract to produce power beaming systems. The systems could enable space elevators to carry objects in the orbit space. However, the space elevators are still under the conceptual phase and LaserMotive is exploring other areas to use the technology.