DriveOhio and the Ohio UAS Center have announced a new strategic plan to support UAS research and development.
Through the strategic plan, three main initiatives— FlyOhio, Ohio UAS Center Operations, and workforce development—will be addressed.
In an effort to facilitate the widescale use of UAS for delivery and transport, FlyOhio will seek to develop an unmanned traffic management (UTM) system; Ohio UAS Center Operations will facilitate the use of UAS for a variety of business services; and workforce development will educate and create the skills needed for smart mobility jobs around this technology.
Business Solutions
Business Solutions
May Mobility selected to deliver autonomous transit pilot to Rhode Island
After a competitive request-for-proposals process that started earlier this year, May Mobility has been selected by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to deliver a “limited and controlled automated vehicle service” to help fill a transportation gap between downtown Providence and Olneyville.
While the service is in operation, RIDOT will seek to get a better understanding of the potential of new technology to improve mobility options for residents in the state, by testing and researching a variety of factors relating to the service.
The service will be available and free to the public for a year.
Rite-Solutions selected to help US Navy develop future generations of UUV Family of Systems
A software development, systems engineering, information technology and learning development firm called Rite-Solutions has been selected to participate in a 5-year, $561.2 million contract to help the U.S. Navy develop future generations of its UUV Family of Systems (FoS).
Announced by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, the contract will develop core technologies in 12 functional areas including payloads, vehicle control, and command and control. Rite-Solutions was one of 23 companies selected to participate in the contract.
Brain Corp to provide 'brain' for Walmart's floor scrubbing robots
A San Diego-based software technology company called Brain Corp has announced that it will provide Walmart with artificial intelligence (AI) services, thanks to a new partnership with the world’s largest retailer.
Right now, Brain Corp’s Brain Operating System (BrainOS) platform automates more than a hundred of Walmart's fleet of commercial floor scrubbers across the U.S.
With BrainOS, the machines have autonomous navigation and data collection capabilities, which are all tied into a cloud-based reporting system.
By the end of its fiscal year, Jan. 31, 2019, Walmart expects to have 360 robots powered by BrainOS in its stores.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum proposes $30 million to support BVLOS UAS operations across state
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum recently announced a $30 million proposal to build out infrastructure that would support beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for UAS across the state.
The investment would establish a statewide BVLOS network to enable UAS operations such as automated farming and precision agriculture for state agencies, local communities and the commercial sector.
The investment would also supply the infrastructure needed for the command and control of UAS and the required surveillance equipment to safely integrate manned and unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System.
AgEagle Aerial Systems signs specialty crop producer to its new sustainability platform and UAS leasing program
UAS imagery and data analytics provider AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. has signed a specialty crop producer, packager, and supplier in North America to its new sustainability platform and UAS leasing program for next year’s crop season.
Under the agreement, AgEagle will provide the customer with access to UAS equipped with sensors for the growing season, along with access to data connected services for farms covering thousands of acres across the United States.
In-depth data analytics at the field level will also be provided, thanks to AgEagle also establishing a network of soil moisture monitoring devices with rain gauges and solar sensors.
Florida Poly and JTA partner to enhance development of autonomous vehicle tech in public transportation
Florida Polytechnic University (Florida Poly) and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) have announced that they will work together to enhance the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology in public transportation.
The entities have agreed to work together to boost the research and application of AV technology.
Florida Polytechnic is home to the Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI), which is a university-affiliated research center that focuses on advancing and testing AV technology. According to Florida Poly, AMI is one of the largest university centers in the country that specializes specifically on the testing and verification of AV technology.
SkyGrid to develop platform that allows customers to safely perform wide range of UAS operations
Boeing and SparkCognition recently announced plans to launch an Austin, Texas-based company called SkyGrid, which will “enable the future of urban aerial mobility,” the companies say.
With a mind towards ensuring the safe, secure integration of autonomous cargo and passenger air vehicles in the global airspace, SkyGrid will develop a software platform utilizing blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled dynamic traffic routing, data analytics and cybersecurity features.
The platform will go beyond UAS traffic management (UTM), the companies say, as it will allow SkyGrid customers to safely perform a variety of UAS operations including package delivery, industrial inspections and emergency assistance.
InstantEye Robotics to provide small UAS to PMA-263
InstantEye Robotics will provide 32 InstantEye Mk-3 GEN5-D1 small UAS (64 aircraft) to the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Program Office, after securing a contract with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in support of PMA-263.
According to InstantEye Robotics, the new InstantEye Mk-3 GEN5-D1 platform not only expands mission scope, but it also provides additional Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition capability to the individual Marine or Sailor.
Apex.AI focused on creating 'robust, reliable, safe, and secure software' for autonomous mobility systems
With a focus on creating robust, reliable, safe, and secure software for autonomous mobility systems, a company called Apex.AI was officially announced on Nov. 15.
The company recently closed a $15.5 million Series A funding.
“Apex.AI is transitioning autonomous vehicle software from R&D to commercialization so that it meets highest safety and reliability standards, a need for both automakers and consumers,” Apex.AI says in a company blog post.
