One research topic at iFR is the development of an automatic control system for a 4-line kite that can launch and land the kite automatically as well as follow a predefined trajectory safely. To achieve this goal, we cooperate with the Institutes for Aerodynamics and Gas Dynamics (IAG), Aircraft Design (IFB), and Mechanical Handling and Logistics (IFT) as well as Stuttgart Wind Energy (SWE) to gather data to be used in the process of controller design.
Together with the Institute for Aircraft Design, the 4-line surfkite was equipped with a measurement system including multiple small computers as well as numerous sensors on the kite itself and on the pilot. Among other sensors, this included a pitot probe mounted on the kite and analog sensors to measure the position of the control lines and strain gauges to measure control forces.