Theseus project aims at offering monitoring services for critical infrastructures protection in urban environment.
In order to deliver these services a new type of UAV is required i.e. Theseus. Theseus UAV makes use of a new disruptive technology, not yet in the market, which allows the mixing of helicopter and airplane characteristics, at a very low cost.
Theseus is a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft with long range and endurance, without mobile control surfaces, powered with electrical propulsion and hybrid range extender, capable of resuming the hover standing attitude for short periods during the mission execution.
The two basic services, which have been analysed for the offering of these new alternative solutions, are the surveillance of:
• High voltage pylons and power cables
• Dumpsters and related waste management.
Written confirmation has been expressed of the interest for the actual services by leading companies in these two areas as well as by other prospective customers.
The market analysis has shown that the development of a medium size remotely piloted UAV to offer services of high accuracy monitoring through LIDAR and Multispectral sensors, is a correct choice.
A complete Business plan, containing also the letters of interest and support by the prospective customers, has been produced and is available as a Theseus project annex.
The performed work has allowed the confirmation of the concept and the approach stated in the phase 1 proposal. The new (July 2015) national regulations and the results coming from the business plan suggested the development of two UAV, one in the <25 Kg class (Theseus S) and one in the <150 Kg one (Theseus M).
The main future challenge is the realisation of Theseus S in one year, the start of services in the following year, while Theseus M will proceed toward the necessary airworthiness certification to be undertaken in the third year.
The objectives of the project were to:
1) Develop UAV’s capable of operate in the urban environment Beyond Line Of Sight using a disruptive technology. This objective was reached through an innovation that led to a patent covering certain aspects of a Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing aircraft with long endurance
2) Generate a market entry plan based on a niche whit no competing technology
3) Select cooperating companies and establish close connections with important research centres
4) Generate a feasibility study with a detailed business plan.
