A vision-based navigation method for eVTOL final approach in urban air mobility(UAM)

Abstract

Urban air mobility(UAM) is an emerging way of air transportation by using self-pilot electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles to transport people and cargo in an urban area. The final approach is the critical stage in the operation. Accurate location information and vertical height guidance are needed in this stage. In addition to the common GNSS/INS integrated navigation system, this work proposes an independent vision-based method to provide redundant location information in the final approach for eVTOL vehicles. The simulation results show that the positioning accuracy of the visual method is within 1.5 meters when the vehicles are no more than 25 meters away from the reference place.