DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control

Visiting the Scout Rover: Prof Markus Ryll from the Chair of Autonomous Aerial Systems at Technische Universität München   🚀 Exciting update from the field! 🚀 Prof. Markus Ryll from TUM University conducted an in-depth inspection of our scout rover, focusing on its functional capabilities and performance metrics. 🧑🔬🔬 Together with our team he evaluated how autonomous navigation systems, sensor arrays, and sample collection modules could be integrated in the rover system. Prof. Markus Ryll’s main focus are real-time control of aerial platforms in unknown, dynamic and possible cluttered environments and enabling aerial platforms to conduct aerial manipulation tasks as grasping, inspection by touching or transportation. The aim of the collaboration is to advance rover autonomy, as well as to carry out study work. Main focus: ·      Autonomous risk assessment for the best way forward in lava caves with obstacles that are difficult to overcome. ·      Classification and risk assessment of obstacles (stones, trenches, etc.). ·      Machine-learning, based on the training with a large number of different obstacles to categorise new obstacles. ·      Gaits Research: different gaits can be advantageous, depending on the type of surface and the desired speed. Our collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange are critical, to ensure optimal operation in preparation for our upcoming missions. 🌍🛰️ #SpaceExploration #RoverDiagnostics #PlanetaryScience #MissionPrep #Discovery

CSIRO Robotics meets DLR's Scout Rover 🚀 We’re excited to announce the successful testing of CSIRO’s Wildcat SLAM System on our Scout Rover for cave exploration on Earth, Moon and Mars! The integration of the Wildcat SLAM system into the Scout Rover opens up new possibilities to explore and understand extraterrestrial environments, by enabling autonomous navigation and 3D mapping. 🌌 Fred Pauling and Ross Dungavell from CSIRO Robotics, part of Australia’s national science agency, are working together with their team on SLAM, autonomy and navigation. They won one of the top places in the DARPA SubT Challenge. To go into space, they are supporting the Scout with their Wildcat SLAM system and hardware selection. Last week, we integrated a lidar in the Scout and carried out 3D scans of our Moon and Mars testbed using the Wildcat SLAM algorithm. The aim now is to subsequently integrate the autonomy and navigation as well and then carry out the first cave tests with an autonomously operating Scout in Lanzarote. Key Features: Accurate 3D Mapping: Precise terrain mapping for enhanced exploration. Autonomous Navigation: Independent operation in harsh space environments. Real-Time Data: Immediate feedback for better mission planning. Potential Use Cases: Planetary Missions: Improved navigation on Mars and the Moon. Exploration: Comprehensive mapping for sample collection. Construction: Precise localization for building planetary bases. Challenges: Extreme Conditions: Adapting to harsh environments. Communication Delays: Ensuring robust real-time navigation. Power Efficiency: Operating within limited power resources. We are proud to have the opportunity to work together with CSIRO Robotics and hope to collaborate on future missions. With the successful testing of CSIRO’s Wildcat SLAM System, we are one step closer to integrating this technology into our missions and pushing the boundaries of space exploration! 🌠👩🚀🤖 #SpaceExploration #Robotics #Innovation #WildcatSLAM #CSIRO #SpaceTech

New Modelica Association Chair elected - Dr. Dirk Zimmer succeeds Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Otter   At the annual assembly meeting of the international Modelica Association (MA) on May 28 2024, Dirk Zimmer of the DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control was elected as the new MA Chair. He succeeds Martin Otter, who has held the position since the founding of the MA in 2000. “I am very pleased to hand over the Chair position of the Modelica Association to Dirk Zimmer. I wish him all the best in this new endeavor and look forward to the continued growth of the Modelica Association under his leadership.” Prof. Dr.-Ing Martin Otter. At the same meeting, Martin Otter was elected as Technology Board Member. The task of this position is to provide technical guidance and coordination of the MA standardization groups. The non-profit Modelica Association is an international organization that develops standards such as the Modelica modeling language and the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI). Organisational members are, among others, Ansys, BMW, Boeing, Bosch, Dassault Systèmes, and Siemens. The Modelica Association standards are endorsed and recommended by many professional societies in the field of modeling and systems engineering: Prostep IVIP, PDES, NAFEMS, and INCOSE.

✈️ Controllers for Active Load Control Tested in the Wind Tunnel A modern transport aircraft is equipped with an electronic flight control system. We can use the full potential of such a system by including secondary flight control functions such as active load control. This allows to increase the aircraft’s efficiency and passenger comfort. 📌 What is active load control? Active load control means that control surfaces on the aircraft (rudders, flaps, spoilers) are deflected dynamically as soon as the aircraft is hit by gusts, flies a maneuver or experiences turbulence – because these phenomena lead to increased loads. Sensors in the aircraft or its wing register the resulting movement, and feedback control algorithms command a deflection of the appropriate control surfaces. 📌 What are the benefits? As loads are a key driver of the aircraft’s weight, the reduction of occurring loads leads to a lighter aircraft structure. This has a positive impact on fuel consumption and emissions. A plus for the passengers: the ride gets smoother and turbulence is felt much less. 📌 What are our researchers working on? We are researching different control algorithms that are at the core of the load control functions. To validate these, wind tunnel tests are indispensable. Researchers from the Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, the Institute of Aeroelasticity, and our institute recently conducted an experiment in the low-speed wind tunnel facility Braunschweig. 📌 What is shown in the video? In the video below, you can see how the control algorithm successfully reduces the effect of gusts on the wing in the wind tunnel. A gust generator upstream of the wing injects continuous disturbances into the flow, which lead to an excitation of the wing. When the controller is switched on, the movement and the loads are substantially reduced. In the slow-motion part you can see the deflection of the control surfaces to achieve this result.   👉 More information on DLR’s optimal load-adaptive aircraft project (oLAF): https://lnkd.in/eDGytjyx   🤝 A big thanks to the entire team supporting the experiment: DLR-Institut für Aeroelastik DLR-Institut für Aerodynamik und Strömungstechnik DNW - German-Dutch Wind Tunnels   #research #DLR #aircraft #control #dynamics #loads #GLA #windtunnel #engineering #innovation #oLAF

We are proud to be part of the OpenSCALING project and to bring new ideas to Modelica and FMI based on our previous research.

🚀 Exciting News for Engineers! DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control unveils the DLR Visualization2 Library, enhancing simulations with cutting-edge 3D/2D visuals. 🌐💻 We are launching the DLR Visualization2 Library – the next generation model library engineered for advanced 3D and 2D real-time visualizations in multi-domain simulations (Modelica/Simulink/Python/Julia/C/C++). Our Mission: 🔬 Unprecedented realistic graphics 🌐 High-quality, interactive simulation experiences 🛠️ Tailored for engineers and simulation professionals Key Features: 1.     Rigid Visualizer Blocks: Parametric shapes, CAD support (glb, 3ds, obj, stl), georeferenced terrain. 2.     Flexible Visualizer Blocks: Surfaces with texture, deformable CAD models, support for rigged CAD models. 3.     2D Overlays and GUI: Lines, polygons, textures, graphs, maps, interactive GUI elements. 4.     Video Export: H.264, H.265, WMV, MPEG4, etc., with automatic export/screenshots. 5.     Cameras and VR: Free/controlled cameras, multiple views, VR support (OpenVR). 👩💻 Stay ahead of the curve and enhance your scientific simulations with the DLR Visualization2 Library. The DLR Visualization2 Library is commercially available via LTX. Download the free community version and get more information on the library here: https://lnkd.in/dkxWsHjE #DLR #ScientificResearch #Modelica #Visualization2 #CuttingEdgeTech #SimulationEngineering 

How can a moon landing be practised as realistically as possible in a simulator?   European Space Agency - ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori sees the future of space travel in space simulation. The DLR Robotic Motion Simulator at the DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control enables future astronauts to practice dangerous and complex maneuvers, such as manual moon landings, on Earth. As part of a simulator study with Miguel Neves, Andreas Seefried, Tobias Bellmann and Julia Born at DLR-SR, he investigated the potential of flight simulation for astronauts and the challenges they face. The aim of the study was to evaluate different control concepts and to analyze algorithms for the simulation movement. An industrial robot arm was used as an innovative motion platform for a lunar landing simulator. For this purpose, the flexibly convertible simulator cockpit was equipped with a virtual viewing window that reflects the limited field of view from the lunar module. A real-time simulation of the virtual lunar module ran in the background, calculating aspects such as propulsion systems, fuel consumption, flight controllers and instrument displays. In addition, new controls for the lunar module were analyzed to facilitate manual flight of the system in an emergency. The results were used in Julia Born's outstanding master's thesis.   Our conclusion: Navigation and control: The simulation software can provide realistic training for moon landings on the lunar surface. Advantages of motion simulation: The movement of the simulator supports the pilot's situational awareness and massively increases the degree of realism of the simulation. Emergency scenarios and psychological preparation: Simulations can prepare astronauts for unforeseen events, from technical breakdowns to emergency situations, and improve their reaction skills and stress resistance. Improving safety and effectiveness: Simulations can provide a safe environment to develop skills that increase the success of space missions and ensure the safety of astronauts.   Interdisciplinary collaboration between departments was also essential to the success of the investigation. The in-depth expertise of the Aviation System Dynamics department in the area of flight controllers and modelling of landing gear contacts was also used. Many thanks to Dirk Zimmer! We are looking forward to the next planned astronaut experiments focusing on HMI and novel control concepts for future lunar missions.

Interested in practical, industrial application of reinforcement learning (RL)? Together with our partner KW automotive Group we were able to demonstrate the performance of RL applied to semi-active dampering control in the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung funded project KIFAHR. If you would like to find out more about the challenges and findings it's worth taking a look at our latest blog post. #machinelearning #ai #autonomousvehicles #artificialintelligence #simulation #automotive #research #opensource #ReinforcementLearning #RL #MachineLearning #modelica #fmi #testing  #vehicledynamics #control DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V. Modelica Association https://lnkd.in/dWEmFcuU

Dear Earthly friends, far and wide, A festive greeting, Let joy be our guide!✨ I send this cheer from crater caves, In the glow of cosmic waves. With gifts in tow and wheels that spin, May your Christmas joy begin. Through rocky paths and starry nights, Spread the love with dazzling lights. From Earth to Mars, a festive spree, I wish you a Merry Christmas full of glee!❄🎅 Sincerely yours,  Rover Scout 

Together with e:fs TechHub GmbH we’ve successfully finalized the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie funded project AICloud in which we implemented an environment and pipeline to train innovative AI-based sensor algorithms in EFS’s cloud environment Superb Data Kraken (SDK). Have a look at our blog post to learn more about the project and find links to the open source project. #machinelearning #ai #autonomousvehicles #artificialintelligence #simulation #automotive #research #electricvehicle #autonomousdriving #testing #testing #development #dataspace #cloud #opensource DLR Institute of System Dynamics and Control Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V. https://lnkd.in/dUxSn6d3