Enhanced Panoptic Imaging for Class 1 UAVs

Circle Optics proposes the development of a next-generation, low-parallax, 360° multi-camera imaging system optimized for Class 1 UAVs to enhance real-time situational awareness, navigation, and collision avoidance. Our patented optical technology eliminates parallax errors and image stitching requirements, enabling seamless, high-resolution panoramic imaging with minimal computational burden. This system will significantly improve UAV-based sensing in complex urban and extreme environments, advancing NASA’s objectives in autonomous flight, vertiport management, and environmental monitoring. Under this Phase I SBIR effort, Circle Optics will design a lightweight (300-400g), low-power (SWaP-optimized) multi-camera array arranged in a visor-like configuration, providing a full 360° horizontal field of regard with minimal blind spots. The system will support real-time edge computing, integrating AI-based object detection (e.g., YOLO networks) for enhanced airborne detect-and-avoid (DAA) capabilities. This effort builds on Circle Optics’ previous work in panoramic imaging solutions for UAV navigation and extends its innovations to smaller drone platforms. Funding from NASA will enable crucial optical and mechanical system development, ensuring the design meets stringent weight, resolution, and environmental robustness requirements. The project will result in preliminary designs for a Phase II project developable prototype optimized for UAV deployment in applications such as airspace safety, autonomous navigation, package delivery, and search and rescue missions. The technology’s modular architecture also positions it for broader commercial and defense applications, supporting the expanding UAV ecosystem. Circle Optics proposes a SBIR Phase 1 project to further develop the Circle Optics technology for low parallax, low distortion, panoramic, multi-camera capture devices to provide real-time 360° imagery, for Class I drones. For Class 1 UAVs to be more widely adopted, they need more robust and versatile to camera systems and sensors to aid navigation, reduce collision risks, and support some key applications, like site inspection. Existing cameras , when used in combination, can suffer parallax confusion, high distortion, and computational burdens from image stitching. Circle Optics technology gets around these problems. Key System Specs: 6-7 camera channels, 360 deg x 40 deg FOV, system weight ~300-400 grams, 20-30 px/deg., 3-300 ft imaging distance range.

The Enhanced Panoptic Imaging System for Class 1 UAVs aligns with NASA’s goals in autonomous aviation, urban air mobility, and environmental sensing. This real-time 360° situational awareness solution, featuring low-parallax imaging and AI-driven object detection, will enhance UAV navigation, detect-and-avoid (DAA) capabilities, and operational safety. A key application is in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), where UAVs need precise situational awareness to operate in urban and extreme environments. This system enables testing of UAV-based air traffic management, vertiport operations, and autonomous navigation, ensuring safe integration into national airspace (NAS). Its ability to capture high-fidelity panoramic imagery without computationally expensive stitching supports low-latency edge computing, vital for AI-driven UAV operations. NASA’s weather-tolerant UAV and hazard detection research will benefit from continuous 360° environmental monitoring, aiding real-time assessments of turbulence, hazardous weather, and wildfire smoke. This technology is particularly useful for atmospheric research, where Class 1 UAVs can safely collect data in hazardous regions. Additionally, the system’s lightweight, low-power design has potential for planetary exploration and robotic missions. It could support autonomous aerial scouting on Mars or the Moon, enabling obstacle avoidance, terrain mapping, and GPS-denied navigation. Its real-time AI analytics could also enhance robotic autonomy for scientific exploration. This SBIR Phase I effort will refine the technology for NASA’s aeronautics and space exploration missions, delivering a scalable imaging solution for UAV applications in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments. The Enhanced Panoptic Imaging System offers commercialization potential in aerospace, defense, industrial inspection, and autonomous systems. Its real-time 360° imaging, low-parallax design, and AI-driven analytics provide unmatched situational awareness, navigation, and collision avoidance capabilities. In commercial UAV markets, this system enhances infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, surveying, and logistics. Industries like utilities, oil and gas, and telecommunications need seamless, high-resolution imaging for monitoring power lines, pipelines, and cell towers. The system’s distortion-free imagery and real-time processing improve efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making. For public safety and emergency response, UAVs with this technology can assess disasters, aid search-and-rescue missions, and support firefighting efforts by providing instant, high-fidelity situational awareness in hazardous environments. In defense and security, this system enables unmanned vehicle navigation, border surveillance, and threat detection. Its low-latency edge computing supports autonomous UAVs, robotic vehicles, and perimeter monitoring, offering a faster, more reliable alternative to conventional multi-camera solutions. Additional applications include autonomous vehicles and smart cities, where real-time imaging can improve self-driving cars, air taxis, and traffic management. The AR, VR, and cinematic industries will also benefit from high-quality panoramic imaging without stitching artifacts. This SBIR Phase I effort will refine the system for broad commercialization, targeting UAV manufacturers, industrial operators, defense agencies, and emerging markets in autonomous systems and immersive imaging.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.