See the first made in Greece drone built by AUTh

It was 4 August 2016, when the first "Made in Greece»Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made his maiden flight, lasting 15 minutes.

Έa month later the HCUAV RX-1, which was not a simple drone, but weighed more than 180 kg and had a length of 4 meters "landed" at the Thessaloniki International Fair, in the exhibition space of the Aristotle University.

For ten days, thousands of visitors admired what seemed theoretically impossible: at the heart of the financial crisis, engineers - professors and PhD candidates at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - starting from a blank sheet of paper and collaborating with Greek companies, proved that Greece can keep its bright minds , can innovate, that the Greek public university can create growth and jobs, can develop aeronautical industry and most importantly, that the AUTh can become a reference point for unmanned aerial vehicles in Greece.

The following years showed that it was not just a success story of the crisis, but also a story of devotion, method, evolution, perspective and contribution to society.

So, last year, the AUTh presented the static model of the RX-3, while at this year's 84th TIF, it presents the RX-4, designed and built to provide services in mapping, photogrammetry, search and rescue, inspection, guarding-patrol missions and precision agriculture. At the same time, it has the potential to develop an operational role in emergencies, which are directly related to the needs of society.

The

The RX-4 was created in the framework of the Action "I Research, I Create - I Innovate", which is co-financed by the EU. and national resources through EPANEK. The project is entitled "Autonomous Portable Multi-role Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System" - "Multirole Portable UAS".

The project involves the Laboratory of Fluid and Turbine Engineering (EMRS) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, which develops research in UAV design, the Laboratory of Robotics and Automation of the Department of Production Engineering and Management at Democritus University GeoSense, based in Thessaloniki, the most experienced Greek company that was the first to introduce drone technology for professional use in Greece, and MLS - also based in Thessaloniki, which has been active for the last 30 years in the field of research, development and marketing of innovative products. The coordinator of the project is the professor and director of EMRS, Kyros Yakinthos.

Evolution and innovation

The RX-4 can fly for 2 hours, with a take-off weight of 4,5 kg, a feature that makes it unique internationally. It has a fuselage length of 1 meter, a wingspan of 1,80 meters, a maximum fuselage thickness of 200 cm. The first experimental prototype of the system will be displayed at the TIF.

"The unmanned aerial vehicle is a blended-wing-body geometry, fixed wing, providing the possibility of vertical take-off-landing. This is the biggest innovation of the project. The vertical take-off / landing possibilities are achieved by rotating the thrust assembly by 90 degrees, in combination with the starting of an engine connected to a special type of propeller, installed in the center of the aircraft fuselage ", explains Mr. Yakinthos, speaking to" AGENCY ".

The perspective

The future for the project is bright. "I have many times emphasized the important scientific imprint of the AUTh, both inside and outside Greece. "This scientific activity proves - as well as others within the University - the high level of technology produced at the University", the Rector of Aristotle, Professor Nikos Papaioannou, states in "PRAKTORIO".

"I congratulate Prof. Kyros Yakinthos and his scientific team, who with their innovative actions, such as the development of UAVs technology, contribute to national development, but mainly to the employment of young scientists by keeping them at home and contributing substantially to brain gain. ", points out.

The Vice Rector for Research and Lifelong Education expresses his confidence that in the coming years research will be the vehicle for the brain gain and financial development of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, speaking to "AGENCY". Professor Stratos Stylianidis and emphasizes: "We will launch a series of research and lifelong learning actions, aimed at increasing the income of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. "These resources will be invested both in terms of infrastructure and in terms of human resources."

Mr. Stylianidis is a professor of Photogrammetry-Geodesy and is well acquainted with this research project. "I was one of the inspirers of the proposal, while I also actively participate in the project team. The specific interdisciplinary team of AUTh has the ability to design, manufacture and use unmanned aerial vehicles in a variety of applications, which makes the AUTh a pioneer in this field, not only in Greece but also in Europe, "he explains.

"I believe that the technology of UAVs is a technology that can directly meet the needs of our country, both politically and defensively," said Mr. Yakinthos, noting that "the most pleasant thing is that young scientists, qualified Engineers , choose to stay in Greece and work on unmanned aerial vehicle development projects, producing high and useful technology, while preparing their doctorates with very good funding ".

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