V-TOL is an Australian Government (AusIndustry) registered Research & Development (R&D) organisation. V-TOL actively funds and supports applied R&D projects in the emerging UAS and associated geospatial technology sectors. V-TOL has partnered with government, private, volunteer, research and tertiary level organisations on R&D projects.

The aim of V-TOL’s R&D approach is to rapidly deliver commercially valuable UAS IP to industry. Typically, as the project commercial partner, V-TOL’s core function is to proto-type, test and identify the appropriate IP and product form factor and business strategy to take a new capability, process, product and or service to market.

Declared Projects, include:

CRC for Spatial Information (2007-2011) – Small UAS in power line asset and vegetation management. Project outcomes included cm accurate 3D flood mapping of the township of St George by V-TOL and the creation of the Ergon ROAMS business unit and the sale by Ergon of that Australian CRC-SI developed IP to multi-national Fugro Geo-systems.

Smart Future QLD Govt (2011- 2012) – Developing operating procedures for Small UAS in QFRS operations & real-time data-streaming from field to HQ over the 3/4G network. Successfully completed.

SLSA (2011 – on hold) – Small UAS in Surf Life Saving operations. Successfully tested concept, technologies and procedures for developing a SLSA organic UAS capability aimed at providing:

1. Airborne Beach/Surf Patrol situational awareness using real-time HD colour and thermal video that can be viewed by other air, ground and water based SLSA rescue assets;
2. UAS Deployable floatation devices for swimmers in distress; and
3. UAS deployable shark repellent devices to safely separate sharks from swimmers & surfers.

V-TOL has developed a small low-cost UAS product capable of carrying and deploying multiple flotation & repellent devices and operated by RPAS trained volunteer SLSA qualified personnel.

UQ (2014 – current) – Y4 VTOL UAS. A new design in VTOL UAS platform technology. The Y4 design is aimed at providing a more stable hovering UAS platform with greater endurance for systems up to 20kg MTOW.

USQ (2014 – current) – Small UAS in agriculture focusing on cropping, pasture improvement and viticulture.

CSIRO (2014 – current) – Small VTOL UAS advanced LiDar rapid ‘mm resolution’ 3D mapping solution.

University of Melbourne (2014 – current) – Advanced next generation active/passive sensor and communication technologies for Small UAS.

Ongoing applied R&D in this sector is critical if Australia is to play a relevant role in the global UAS and robotics industry. The benefits of a successful national R&D strategy in this sector will result in 1000s of new highly skilled jobs delivering productivity gains worth $Bs to GDP and export earnings.

It is V-TOL’s intention to play an exemplary role in creating competitive advantage in this industry by using Australian developed IP.

For further information on how V-TOL’s approach to R&D can assist your organisation, please contact us