Buying a Bat vs. Utilizing
MLB's Services
Through the recent increase in interest in the use of unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a variety of applications, MLB
has seen a need to educate most potential users on the difference
between buying a UAV outright and buying only the data that
a UAV provides. One or the other of these choices may make sense for a
given customer, but rarely do they both make sense. A number
of factors must be considered to understand the tradeoffs
involved:
Cost
The most obvious issue for most customers is acquisition cost
of the UAV. Indeed, the MLB Bat is the most economical UAV
available today, and consequently it is an attractive concept
to own and operate one’s own UAV. However, there are
costs incurred through maintaining, storing, insuring, and
operating any UAV that should also be considered before making
this decision.
Reliability and Safety
As the MLB Bat is capable of completely autonomous flight,
it is a quantum leap forward in ease of operation of a flying
vehicle. However, it must still be operated with care and
attention to detail to avoid unintended mishaps. MLB operators
undergo advanced training and must assume responsibility for
lost aircraft. Maintaining a capable flight crew is important
for reducing the chance of damage to or loss of an aircraft.
Quality
For some applications, the experience of MLB derived from
many man-years of UAV utilization is invaluable. The quality
of the data obtained is usually directly related to the operation
of the UAV platform.
Timing
Although an MLB flight service team is usually available when
customers require, some customers may need to have complete
control over the timing of the information collection and
consequently should own and operate the Bat themselves.
Legal issues
Depending on the application, the customer, and the area in
which the Bat is flown, legal issues may play a part in mission
selection and conduct. MLB has experience dealing with the
various government entities that can affect UAV operations.
Currently there are no laws that formally define what a UAV is.
MLB believes that such laws, when they are written, will allow
mini-UAVs such as the MLB Bat to operate in congested airspace.
In anticipation of these laws, MLB has been developing sensing
systems and imaging techniques to enhance the abilities of
mini-UAVs in relevant applications.
Access
Customers that use MLB flight services are given access to
all of the flight data information, the full output of the
sensor suite, and the mission planning process. On the other
hand, some customers may have sensors or flight areas that
are classified or otherwise may be unable to share
information about the specifics of Bat flights.
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