AUROS / Collaborative robotics

More time airborne.
More possibilities.

A drone in the air. A robot on the ground. AUROS explores how laser power and coordinated autonomy can keep them working together for longer.

Explore the project

Autonomous Robotic Surveillance System with Laser-Powered Drone

AUROS: a mobile UGV and quadcopter A low-profile tracked unmanned ground vehicle with an angular hull carries a simple pedestal-mounted laser head. A beam connects the station to a four-propeller drone above. Concept illustration, not to scale. 01 / DRONE 02 / TRACKED UGV LASER POWER CONCEPT / NOT TO SCALE
Research in LuxembourgWireless energyCollaborative autonomyExperimental proof of concept

01 / The project

More time in the air.
More freedom
on the ground.

Battery capacity limits how long small electric drones can fly. AUROS investigates an alternative: transferring energy by laser from a mobile ground robot to a drone, while both systems coordinate their movements to maintain a clear line of sight.

100–120 WTarget electrical power delivered to the drone
Up to 35 mTarget robot-to-drone power transfer distance
3× enduranceTarget compared with the drone’s original flight duration

Research targets to be assessed through experimental validation.

02 / The technology

Power to stay airborne.
Intelligence to move together.

SkyGrids’ laser power transfer meets the University of Luxembourg’s research in robotic perception, situational understanding and coordinated motion.

[ 01 — LASER POWER TRANSFER ]

Energy, delivered by light.

SkyGrids · The Lunar Grid

A steerable laser beaming station directs energy towards a dedicated converter on the drone, where light is converted into electrical power. Beam steering, receiver integration and supporting power systems bring the ground and airborne platforms together.

[ 02 — PERCEPTION & MAPPING ]

Building a shared 3D view.

SnT · University of Luxembourg

The university’s work on simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) provides the foundation for estimating where robots are while building a map of their surroundings. In AUROS, ground and aerial sensor data are intended to support a changing 3D model of the environment, including robot positions and obstacles, for assessing the line of sight between the two platforms.

[ 03 — SITUATIONAL GRAPHS ]

From geometry to understanding.

SnT · University of Luxembourg

Developed by the university, Situational Graphs (S-Graphs) connect geometric maps with information about what objects and spaces represent and how they relate to one another. AUROS builds on this approach to combine spatial structure, semantic information and moving obstacles in a shared model that supports robotic decision-making.

[ 04 — MOTION PLANNING & CONTROL ]

Turning understanding into movement.

SnT · University of Luxembourg

The university’s motion-planning research uses this situational model to compute coordinated paths for the ground robot and drone. Trajectory optimisation aims to balance obstacle avoidance, mission coverage and a clear power-transfer line of sight. Flight-control research addresses how the drone follows its assigned trajectory, including under external disturbances.

03 / The collaboration

Complementary expertise.
A common research ambition.

INDUSTRIAL PARTNER

SkyGrids

The Lunar Grid, S.à r.l. contributes expertise in laser power transfer, systems engineering and integration.

ACADEMIC PARTNER

SnT · University of Luxembourg

The Automation and Robotics Research Group contributes expertise in perception, situational awareness, motion planning and control for autonomous robots.

Joint Call · Defence 2024

FNR — Luxembourg National Research Fund
Luxinnovation
Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg — Directorate of Defence
Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg — Ministry of the Economy

04 / Get in touch

Let’s start
a conversation.

Interested in AUROS, research collaboration or a potential application? Get in touch with the SkyGrids team through their contact page.

Get in touch with SkyGrids