Shimmer. As reported here, Boeing was working on a system to process visual images for shimmer to see clear air turbulence. Set up video camera to take pictures every second or two, software to compare the images, and enhance shimmer induced turbulence, thus seeing thermal structure.

More optical. Process optical images to see birds! (and other gliders) Again, take two optical images a few seconds apart, signal process to correct for glider motion, then show anything that's moving. (The last two, since they only involve taking pictures, would be arguably legal under US rules too. SHHH. )


John Cochrane (Flame suit on)


The possibility of using machine vision, as John mentions above, is indeed intriguing from both the lift sensing AND the anti-collision angles. Of course, such a device would have it's tactical uses in soaring contests, not that anyone cares about THAT. What I like is that machine vision collision avoidance, being passive, would not depend on everyone else installing equipment. Ideally, it would point out all traffic, including birds. Seems to me that UAV's are a huge and growing market for that sort of tech. Sort of surprising then that I have seen only one machine vision anti-collision system being marketed.

I have tried posting about this a couple of times on RAS, mainly to see if anyone here knows anything about new developments along this line, so please do comment if you have seen or heard anything pertinent.

Wallace Berry (currently working with engineers to apply machine vision to chicken farming)