Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AIRSHIP (AUTONOMOUS FLYING SHIPS FOR INTER-ISLAND AND INLAND WATERS TRANSPORT)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
AIRSHIP is a Horizon Europe 48-month project funded under the HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility, with 7 partners from Spain, Portugal, Finland, Estonia and Luxembourg.
AIRSHIP envisions an innovative application of flying ships for transportation across archipelagos and inland waterways. These waterways hold potential for the airborne transportation of goods and people, often representing the only viable option in certain regions. Traditional transportation methods, such as airplanes and ships, face challenges: airplanes are costly and environmentally taxing, while ships, though capable of carrying larger payloads, are limited by speed. Additionally, both are low energy efficient at high speed.
Wing-In-Ground (WIG) vehicles, also known as ekranoplans, are designed and built to take advantage of the ground effect, which allows these crafts to fly with enhanced lift and reduced drag. WIGs inherit all the advantages of conventional airborne transportation while being more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, both from the carbon footprint and the acoustic noise pollution point of view.
AIRSHIP will study and develop new technologies in zero-emission power, on-board AI, and automatic flight control that overcome the technological problems that flying on the ground effect poses, allowing such vehicles to become autonomous so they can be effectively used in a wide range of business applications and services, leading to new aviation business models.
We aim to lay the foundations of a new class of fully electrical unmanned aircraft system, the UWV (Unmanned WIG Vehicle), that brings together speed, flexibility and energy efficiency.
The specific research goals are:
1. To develop innovative, zero-emissions, ad-hoc electrical propulsion power networks and related power management systems, interface power electronics, integrating solar and hydrogen energy sources with energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors).
2. To develop advanced guidance, navigation and control techniques leading to a fully autonomous vehicle tailored for the vehicle's features and environment at hand.
3. To develop cutting-edge AI techniques for onboard cognitive intelligence, providing self-awareness for enhanced adaptivity and resilience of vehicles beyond classical fault tolerance and situational awareness for increased safety in navigation.
4. To analyze the environmental impact, ELS issues, business scenarios and technology roadmapping to assess the technological, economic and sustainable feasibility of the envisioned vehicles and to engage with stakeholders and future end-users for data collection, communication, dissemination and exploitation of project activities and results, contributing to further actions aiming at raising the TRL level of the AIRSHIP technology line beyond the project funded period.
5. To demonstrate such technologies on fully functional proof of concept of an autonomous, fully electrical WIG vehicle.
AIRSHIP envisions an innovative application of flying ships for transportation across archipelagos and inland waterways. These waterways hold potential for the airborne transportation of goods and people, often representing the only viable option in certain regions. Traditional transportation methods, such as airplanes and ships, face challenges: airplanes are costly and environmentally taxing, while ships, though capable of carrying larger payloads, are limited by speed. Additionally, both are low energy efficient at high speed.
Wing-In-Ground (WIG) vehicles, also known as ekranoplans, are designed and built to take advantage of the ground effect, which allows these crafts to fly with enhanced lift and reduced drag. WIGs inherit all the advantages of conventional airborne transportation while being more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, both from the carbon footprint and the acoustic noise pollution point of view.
AIRSHIP will study and develop new technologies in zero-emission power, on-board AI, and automatic flight control that overcome the technological problems that flying on the ground effect poses, allowing such vehicles to become autonomous so they can be effectively used in a wide range of business applications and services, leading to new aviation business models.
We aim to lay the foundations of a new class of fully electrical unmanned aircraft system, the UWV (Unmanned WIG Vehicle), that brings together speed, flexibility and energy efficiency.
The specific research goals are:
1. To develop innovative, zero-emissions, ad-hoc electrical propulsion power networks and related power management systems, interface power electronics, integrating solar and hydrogen energy sources with energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors).
2. To develop advanced guidance, navigation and control techniques leading to a fully autonomous vehicle tailored for the vehicle's features and environment at hand.
3. To develop cutting-edge AI techniques for onboard cognitive intelligence, providing self-awareness for enhanced adaptivity and resilience of vehicles beyond classical fault tolerance and situational awareness for increased safety in navigation.
4. To analyze the environmental impact, ELS issues, business scenarios and technology roadmapping to assess the technological, economic and sustainable feasibility of the envisioned vehicles and to engage with stakeholders and future end-users for data collection, communication, dissemination and exploitation of project activities and results, contributing to further actions aiming at raising the TRL level of the AIRSHIP technology line beyond the project funded period.
5. To demonstrate such technologies on fully functional proof of concept of an autonomous, fully electrical WIG vehicle.
The initial phase concentrated on foundational work needed for the rest of the project. Specific achievements during this phase include:
1. A scaled airship model with a 2-meter wingspan was designed, built, and successfully tested in Inari Lake, Lapland, Finland. This model served as a preliminary step towards validating the design and functionality of the larger demonstrator.
2. The design of a 5-meter model, A1, the primary demonstrator for the project, has been completed. The preparation of detailed blueprints for manufacturing is underway, marking a significant milestone towards full-scale testing.
3. A 24-meter commercial concept airship was designed for business case analysis. This larger model provides a realistic representation of the final product and helps evaluate the feasibility and commercial potential of the technology.
4. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed to simulate all system components before testing on a physical prototype. This model is crucial for the iterative development and testing of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms, ensuring the systems are robust before real-world implementation.
5. The first set of control algorithms was successfully developed and tested. These algorithms are currently in an iterative development phase, with continuous improvements and validations based on test results.
6. Extensive evaluation of collected data led to selecting the most suitable hardware for perception and navigation. The most promising sensors were procured, and corresponding software drivers were developed for sensor acquisition and registration. These sensors have undergone testing and evaluation in real-world environments, validating their effectiveness for future integration.
7. A comprehensive framework was established to assess the technology's performance regarding business viability, environmental impact, socio-economic factors, policy considerations, and overall sustainability. This framework ensures that these aspects are consistently considered throughout the project, fostering interaction between WP2 and all other project work packages.
1. A scaled airship model with a 2-meter wingspan was designed, built, and successfully tested in Inari Lake, Lapland, Finland. This model served as a preliminary step towards validating the design and functionality of the larger demonstrator.
2. The design of a 5-meter model, A1, the primary demonstrator for the project, has been completed. The preparation of detailed blueprints for manufacturing is underway, marking a significant milestone towards full-scale testing.
3. A 24-meter commercial concept airship was designed for business case analysis. This larger model provides a realistic representation of the final product and helps evaluate the feasibility and commercial potential of the technology.
4. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed to simulate all system components before testing on a physical prototype. This model is crucial for the iterative development and testing of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms, ensuring the systems are robust before real-world implementation.
5. The first set of control algorithms was successfully developed and tested. These algorithms are currently in an iterative development phase, with continuous improvements and validations based on test results.
6. Extensive evaluation of collected data led to selecting the most suitable hardware for perception and navigation. The most promising sensors were procured, and corresponding software drivers were developed for sensor acquisition and registration. These sensors have undergone testing and evaluation in real-world environments, validating their effectiveness for future integration.
7. A comprehensive framework was established to assess the technology's performance regarding business viability, environmental impact, socio-economic factors, policy considerations, and overall sustainability. This framework ensures that these aspects are consistently considered throughout the project, fostering interaction between WP2 and all other project work packages.
AIRSHIP enhances high-speed transport's environmental footprint and competitiveness using wing-in-ground effect technology. The project aims to reduce CO2 emissions and noise pollution in aviation, supporting Europe's transition towards climate neutrality and digital innovation. Aligned with Destination 2050 goals, AIRSHIP advances sustainable aircraft designs and AI-driven electrification, reinforcing the EU’s Digital Agenda.
Environmental: Aligned with KSO C, AIRSHIP develops low-CO2, electrically powered transport vehicles using green hydrogen and solar energy, reducing noise pollution and offering a sustainable alternative for goods and passenger transport, particularly in island regions, with potential for broader application.
Industrial: In line with KSO A, AIRSHIP contributes to Europe’s strategic autonomy by leading innovation in digital and green technologies within the transport sector, bolstering the EU’s digital transition.
Economics: Also connected to KSO A, AIRSHIP fosters a business ecosystem around UWVs, driving sustainable growth and strategic autonomy in Europe’s high-tech sectors and transport value chains.
Environmental: Aligned with KSO C, AIRSHIP develops low-CO2, electrically powered transport vehicles using green hydrogen and solar energy, reducing noise pollution and offering a sustainable alternative for goods and passenger transport, particularly in island regions, with potential for broader application.
Industrial: In line with KSO A, AIRSHIP contributes to Europe’s strategic autonomy by leading innovation in digital and green technologies within the transport sector, bolstering the EU’s digital transition.
Economics: Also connected to KSO A, AIRSHIP fosters a business ecosystem around UWVs, driving sustainable growth and strategic autonomy in Europe’s high-tech sectors and transport value chains.