Project InCEPTion will develop a novel all-electric propulsion module that is safe-by-design, scalable, modular, power dense, quiet, efficient and enables the combined use of batteries and fuel cells in aircraft. The module will accelerate the electrification of various classes of electric aircraft (0-30 PAX), from eVTOLs, general aviation eCTOLs, up to sub-regional aircraft. The best-of-breed UK consortium includes - Greenjets (Lead, previously Blue Bear), Drive System Design, Ricardo, Dowty Propellers, M&I Materials, University of Cambridge-Whittle Laboratory, University of Salford-Salford Acoustics. The propulsion module will incorporate and demonstrate key innovations, including rotor and stator aerofoils and structures optimized aerodynamically for enhanced electric efficiency and reduced noise. It will also feature a battery power and control system with advanced thermal management, utilizing dielectric fluid for improved performance, and a rim-driven dual-stage motor for higher power density and operational reliability.

Blue Bear has recently completed a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) contract developing a highly innovative Unmanned Surface Vessel to meet research requirements of the academic oceanography community. There is real exploitation potential for spinoff concepts in the offshore wind and wave energy market, where such systems can be used for remote inspection of structures and subsurface power lines. Some of these concepts are high risk and require performance verification, which can now be done through Computational Fluid Dynamics, but for which Blue Bear does not have the expertise or facilities.

HEART (Hydrogen- Electric and Automated Regional Transportation) is a programme that will demonstrate a viable regional transport network that is zero carbon, affordable, scalable and safe. It is aimed at sub-regional aviation (typically using 9-19 passenger aircraft, with circa 100 licensed airfields around the UK) with an objective to enable a commercially viable, innovative and eco-friendly network that provides a passenger experience giving door-to-door travel options, improved convenience, flexibility and travel information along with visibility of carbon footprint. The HEART programme will address the following key areas: * Aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell and electric powertrains in order to significantly reduce cost of operations and help improve operational reliability, along with developing a skilled workforce to operate and maintain the infrastructure and aircraft. * Implementation of green hydrogen infrastructure (production storage and refuelling) with consideration of transport and distribution solutions. * Use of configurable aircraft flight control automation, including pilot assistance pilot during high workload; enabling higher operational safety and scalability. * Use of hybrid connectivity solutions to assist in datalink operation, mission critical communication, as well as enabling in-cabin passenger services. * The design of new, low-cost, modular and scalable airport terminal technology concepts. These will be brought to life through simulation, modelling and technical demonstrations through the use of Virtual Reality, to demonstrate enhanced passenger experience. * Usage of autonomous airside ground systems to facilitate rapid aircraft turn-around times, including automated baggage and cargo loading/unloading and refuelling operations, increasing operational safety, reducing operating costs and enabling scale-up of operations. * Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through use of mobility-as-a-services solutions that support door-to-door journey views with new and legacy transport modes. Dynamic in-journey updates to simplify and smooth the travel experience. * Understanding and addressing societal concerns such as safety of hydrogen-electric powertrains, dependence on new levels of automation and technologies. * Understanding wider considerations for passengers with reduced mobility or other concerns, with particular focus on accessibility (and egress) of regional network type aircraft without “airbridge” connectivity. The HEART programme will create compound demonstrations that showcase the vision of a 'Day-in-the-life' of a deployed network through a range of events, including • flight trials utilising aircraft with hydrogen-electric powertrain; • configurable autonomous flight control solutions, via UAS and a regional aircraft trial, including pilot support systems and key safety technologies; • Immersive VR experience of the overall traveller journey, including through new design of airport terminal; • Digital Twin/Simulations of operating services, including autonomous baggage/cargo handling; • Demonstration of accessibility approaches for passengers of reduced mobility. These will be supported with other demonstration facets, such as wider simulation and analysis, that show various detail assessments in support of the overall viability of the operational considerations. Finally, individual elements of the journey HEART will be reported through various media and engagement methods. The overall story of Project HEART will also be captured and reported in hardcopy form that will facilitate a longer-term legacy, engagement and exploitation of the range of achievements accomplished by the consortium partners.

This project develops an autonomous path following capability (in the form of a sensor and algorithm kit) for aerial inspection robots used to remotely survey structures in sectors such as oil & gas, mining, energy, chemical processing, water and transport. Aerial robots have enormous potential to slash costs relative to manual inspections, which are equipment and manpower intensive and typically represent a large proportion of the recurring cost of a structure over its lifetime. Current generation robots are typically operated manually within line of sight of a remote operator; this project will develop a sensor and algorithm kit enabling such robots to automatically retrace their steps around a known structure using vision and learning, greatly speeding up repetitive surveys. A 3D visual feature map is generated and refined, and over subsequent missions a robot would use this map of the structure for autonomous visual navigation using a relocalisation approach, allowing it to reach and return from the areas to be inspected autonomously. The proposed robot combines the real-time full 3D visual mapping and relocalisation methods developed at the University of Bristol and flight control technology developed by Blue Bear.

It is clearly understood that a pandemic like COVID-19 can easily disrupt the normal functioning of almost any sector. During pandemic, there is a need to transport blood samples, swab tests, blood/plasma, and other urgent/critical medical products such as vaccines that needs to be delivered quickly from/to disparate locations in safe and efficient manner. Unlike other deliveries these are time critical, needs to be appropriately handled, i.e. Keeping samples and supplies at the correct temperature, and ensuring that they are not tampered with can also be key to the viability of the sample or vaccine. BB proposes AIR DRUIDS (Autonomous Intelligent Robotic DRones for Unmanned Integrated Delivery System), an autonomous drone delivery of critical medical products such as blood samples, swabs, vaccines, blood and plasma, enabled by an open systems architecture, with fully monitored payloads to ensure payload viability and integrity is sustained. The technology is scalable in size of payload, size of drones, and number of drones required. The intelligent payload system will be capable of monitoring the medical samples in real-time via the multiple onboard sensors. The information on the medical consignment will be live relayed on the mission control system with an interactive user interface. The BB's smart autopilot and deconfliction system will make the UAV assisted medical delivery autonomous and safe especially in BVLOS range, where safety is the main concern both for the operation of the UAV itself and the medical consignment. The BB's advanced mission control and monitoring system will allow operation of multiple drones, to various locations, all tasked and monitored from a central operations centre by just one person. The combination of all the above existing, modified and new technology will deliver a highly innovative cutting-edge drone management and delivery capability, combined with real time payload monitoring. The modular development route allows this to be deployed as a whole system or in parts to support other programmes, making the value realisable very quickly. BB will collaborate with Cranfield University for the demonstration of the AIR DRUIDS system, utilise NBEC corridor from BB HQ to Cranfield Airport (16km). This not only show the practical application of long-range drone delivery with easily swappable, fully monitored payloads, but will also further demonstrate the utility of the NBEC initiative as a national testing facility.