Autonomous Remote Sensing - A Tale of Evolving, Emerging and Converging Technologies (Part 2)

Traditionally, remote sensing has been defined as the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact. However, the emergence of new sensing techniques, miniaturisation of electronics, more powerful software, and an everincreasing range of applications has led to this definition being expanded to include terrestrial based remote sensing and remote embedded sensing. At the same time, the emergence of technologies and applications for autonomy have led to a dramatic expansion in the use of remote sensing technologies in these autonomous systems and to the development of remote sensing systems that are themselves autonomous. Autonomous remote sensing systems (ARS) are the culmination of long-term development of existing technologies, emergence of disruptive new technical capabilities, and convergence of sensors, optics, electronics, and communications technologies.