Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Aerial BCP (A 1Gpixel Camera to Open the Markets of Aerial Data Acquisition)
Période du rapport: 2018-11-01 au 2020-04-30
The project aims at developing the camera, test, characterisation and production means for Resolve Optics to supply specifically designed 185mm lenses, and IMAO the camera itself (electronics, body, sensors). The combination of Resolve Optics and IMAO's expertises is necessary to maximise the coherence between lenses and sensors, as it is the key of the design of our camera.
The project will therefore result in two B72 cameras (720Mpixels), fully functionnal, which will be tested on field. Photos and data acquisition will be promoted worldwide. Besides, Resove will acquire the capacitiy to deliver over 40 lenses a year, and IMAO will be able to manufacture 10 cameras a year at least in specifically designed premises (clean room, automatic characterisation means…). IMAO will therefore be able to produce 1Gpixel cameras, through suitable sensors.
In the second period, Imao was able to assemble the first B72 and perform ground tests and alpha tests which notably demanded a complete calibration software review. Test flights were performed in May 2020 to prove the relevance of the B72. The second one is not yet assembled yet and is expected for fall 2020, all of the design is over for B72s to be produced starting in 2021. IMAO has performed all of the preparatory steps to set up production premises in order to build several cameras a year. Resolve Optics has been able to improve its production capacities to deliver 30 to 40 high quality lenses a year to IMAO, but also for other markets.
IMAO created a subsidiary specialised in the camera production and sales, Highsee. The participation to fairs during the project allowed to collect several marks of interests from potential buyers all around the world (9 marks of interest in 2019 for instance). Results are published in the form of commercial booklets, in the dedicated website, and through fairs. White papers and newsletter will be published now that our patents' extensions have been accepted in Canada, Japan, Europe.
During the second period, we have been able to assemble the camera with the highest resolution in the world, composed of three lenses, several sensors. We have developed specific image treatment algorithms to calibrate images and improve the resolution. The internal data storage system has been reduced from 30 to 3kg, which makes it able to be internalised within the head of the camera. The B72 has been tested in test flights and has shown to be a success.