The development of modern unmanned systems requires the interaction of numerous technologies. Aerial and ground platforms, sensors, embedded computing, communication, navigation, and software must be considered, developed, and coordinated as an integrated system.
In the field of research and development, we focus on new technologies, system architectures, and technical approaches for UAVs, UGVs, and other unmanned systems. Our work centers on the development, integration, and testing of new capabilities, as well as transforming technological concepts into functional prototypes and operationally relevant systems.
Rather than considering individual components in isolation, we focus on how they interact within the overall system. From initial technical feasibility studies and the development of demonstrators and prototypes to testing and optimization, we develop solutions for a wide range of requirements and operating environments.
Development of Unmanned Systems
Our development work begins with the technical requirements. Based on these requirements, we evaluate suitable platform concepts, components, and technologies and develop a system architecture tailored to the specific application.
Existing UAV or UGV platforms can serve as a technological foundation, or entirely new systems and prototypes can be developed. Mechanics, electronics, propulsion, power supply, flight control, sensors, communication, and software are treated as interconnected elements of an integrated system.
Prototyping & System Integration
A key element of our research and development activities is the practical implementation of new concepts. Technical approaches are not considered purely theoretically but are implemented as experimental setups, demonstrators, and prototypes and tested under realistic conditions.
Development of UAV and UGV prototypes
Development of technology demonstrators
Development and evaluation of different system architectures
Integration of new components and technologies
Design and dimensioning of propulsion, power supply, and payload systems
Integration of sensors and communication systems
Integration of embedded and companion computing systems
Testing and iterative optimization of hardware and software
Autopilot, Control & Navigation Systems
Flight and vehicle control represents a central technological layer of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems. For UAV applications, we work with open-source autopilot platforms including PX4 and ArduPilot.
During the development process, the autopilot, sensors, actuators, and higher-level computing systems are configured and adapted to the respective platform. In addition to configuring existing functions, we evaluate and integrate additional sensors, communication interfaces, and external computing systems.
Another area of development involves navigation methods for environments in which GNSS is limited or unavailable. In this context, we investigate combinations of different sensors and methods for positioning, environmental perception, and autonomous navigation.
Development Focus Areas
PX4- and ArduPilot-based system development
Integration and evaluation of different navigation sensors
GNSS, RTK, and multi-GNSS systems
GNSS-independent navigation approaches
LiDAR- and camera-based environmental perception
Sensor fusion and combination of multiple data sources
Autonomous and semi-autonomous navigation functions
Integration of external companion computers
Sensors & Environmental Perception
Sensors provide the foundation that enables unmanned systems to perceive their environment, determine their state, and support automated decision-making processes. A key focus of our development work is therefore the integration and combination of different sensor systems.
Depending on the research or development project, GNSS and RTK receivers, LiDAR systems, cameras, distance sensors, inertial sensors, and other specialized sensors can be integrated. The acquired data can be processed directly onboard the system, combined with other data sources, or transmitted to higher-level systems.
GNSS and RTK systems
LiDAR sensors
Optical sensors and camera systems
Distance and altitude sensors
Inertial sensors
3D environmental perception and mapping
Sensor fusion of multiple data sources
Integration of customer-specific and experimental sensors
Embedded Computing & Edge Processing
As the level of autonomy increases, so does the demand for computing power directly onboard the unmanned system. We therefore focus on the integration of companion computers and edge computing platforms that enable complex data processing without requiring a permanent connection to a ground station.
These systems can combine sensor data, analyze camera images, execute navigation algorithms, or provide information for higher-level control processes. This creates an additional processing layer between sensors, the autopilot, and other system components.
Integration of companion computers
Embedded Linux systems
Edge computing directly onboard UAV and UGV platforms
Onboard processing of sensor and image data
Interfaces between autopilot, sensors, and companion computers
Development and testing of distributed system architectures
Artificial Intelligence & Autonomous Systems
Artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities for the development of unmanned systems. Instead of exclusively following predefined flight or driving paths, future systems can increasingly perceive their environment autonomously, identify relevant information, and use this information for subsequent processes.
Our research and development activities focus on the integration and testing of AI methods directly onboard unmanned platforms. In particular, we investigate applications in which image, sensor, and environmental data are processed during operation.
Onboard AI
Edge AI enables analysis and detection processes to be executed directly onboard the UAV or UGV. This allows data to be processed locally and relevant information to be extracted without the need to continuously transmit all raw data to external systems.
Object detection and classification
Computer vision
Automated image and video analysis
Detection of defined structures and features
AI-assisted processing of sensor data
Sensor fusion and situational analysis
Support for autonomous navigation methods
Development and evaluation of application-specific AI models
Autonomous Navigation & GNSS-Independent Systems
A particular challenge for autonomous systems is operation in environments where conventional satellite-based navigation is unavailable or unreliable. These environments include buildings, tunnels, industrial facilities, and other shielded or infrastructurally complex areas.
As part of our development activities, we investigate technologies for GNSS-independent navigation and environmental perception. These approaches can combine LiDAR, cameras, inertial sensors, distance sensors, and methods for localization, mapping, and sensor fusion.
The objective is to develop robust system architectures that enable unmanned platforms to perceive their environment, determine their position, and perform navigation tasks with increasing levels of autonomy.
Communication & Data Transmission
Communication is an essential component of distributed unmanned systems. Depending on range, data volume, environment, and operational profile, different communication technologies may be required.
We evaluate and integrate various technologies for telemetry, control, and data transmission. In addition to conventional radio and cellular communication solutions, wired or fiber-optic communication systems can also form part of the development process for specialized applications.
Telemetry and data radio communication
LTE/4G-based communication
IP-based data transmission
Communication between autopilot and companion computer
Transmission of sensor and payload data
Fiber-optic communication solutions
Development of application-specific communication architectures
Experimental Setups, Demonstrators & Prototypes
For us, research and development means investigating new technologies through practical implementation. During the development process, we therefore create experimental setups and demonstrators that allow individual technologies and their interaction within an integrated system to be tested.
The knowledge gained from these tests feeds directly into further development. Hardware, software, sensors, and algorithms can be iteratively adapted and tested again. This approach allows technical risks to be identified at an early stage and different solution concepts to be compared.
From Concept to Demonstrator
Analysis of technical requirements
Feasibility studies
Technology and component evaluation
Development of system architectures
Development of experimental platforms
Development of functional prototypes
Integration and commissioning
Testing under realistic conditions
Analysis and optimization of the overall system
Further development into an application-specific system
Research & Development Areas
Our development activities combine multiple technological disciplines. This enables individual technologies to be investigated not only in isolation, but also developed and tested as part of complete unmanned systems.
UAV and UGV system development
Autonomous and semi-autonomous systems
PX4- and ArduPilot-based platforms
GNSS and RTK navigation
GNSS-independent navigation
LiDAR and 3D mapping
Computer vision and image processing
Artificial intelligence and Edge AI
Sensor fusion and environmental perception
Embedded and companion computing
Telemetry and data communication
Fiber-optic communication systems
Prototyping and technology evaluation
From Research Question to Functional System
A development project does not necessarily begin with an already defined platform. The starting point can also be a technical question, a new technology, or a previously unresolved problem.
We analyze the technical requirements, evaluate suitable technologies, and develop a potential solution approach. This can initially be implemented as an experimental setup or demonstrator and subsequently developed further in a step-by-step process.
Our objective is not only to examine new technologies from a theoretical perspective, but to evaluate their practical applicability within unmanned systems and use the resulting knowledge to develop robust technical solutions.
Research. Development. Integration.
Unmanned systems are increasingly evolving into complex, interconnected platforms in which mechanics, electronics, sensors, communication, software, and artificial intelligence work together. These technological interfaces are precisely where we focus our expertise.
We develop, integrate, and test technologies for future UAV, UGV, and autonomous systems – from the initial technical concept and prototype to a functional demonstrator and application-specific integrated system.
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