The SoftBank Vision Fund will invest $2.25 billion in GM Cruise Holdings LLC (GM Cruise).
The investment, according to GM, will strengthen GM’s plans to commercialize autonomous vehicle technology at large scale.
“Our Cruise and GM teams together have made tremendous progress over the last two years,” says GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra.
“Teaming up with SoftBank adds an additional strong partner as we pursue our vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.”
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Drone Delivery Canada and Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. to collaborate on UAS delivery logistics platform
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) and Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. (TTCI) have signed an agreement to work together on a UAS delivery logistics platform.
Through the agreement, TTCI, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho America Inc., will take part in DDC’s commercial pilot program in Canada as an initial stage.
Together, the two entities will look to begin flight testing, and identify other international markets to deploy DDC’s proprietary UAS delivery platform as a transportation option.
Iris Automation selects Robotic Skies as aftermarket installation and field maintenance partner for its line of avionics products designed for UAS
Iris Automation has selected Robotic Skies Inc. as an “aftermarket installation and field maintenance partner” for its line of avionics products designed for UAS.
Under the agreement, Robotic Skies, through its global network of independently owned and operated certified aircraft service centers, will provide sales, installations, and ongoing field support for Iris Automation customers.
Mohawk Valley Community College receives grant that will help prepare students for UAS industry
The National Science Foundation has awarded Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) a $557,487 grant to support a project in which MVCC will develop a series of “microcredentials” to increase the number of skilled technicians in the UAS industry, and ultimately address local workforce needs.
Over the next three years, MVCC will develop and implement five microcredentials made up of four courses each, which will provide students with “highly specialized, specific skills” without requiring completion of a full degree. The microcredentials are UAS Components, UAS Fabrication, UAS Operations, UAS Electronics, and UAS Data Analysis.
Corporate Service Supply & Manufacturing now an authorized reseller of Fruity Chutes UAV Recovery systems
Fruity Chutes, which manufactures UAS recovery systems, and Corporate Service Supply & Manufacturing (CSSM) have announced that CSSM is now an authorized reseller of Fruity Chutes UAV Recovery systems.
Through their agreement, CSSM can now sell the Fruity Chutes systems directly to its customers. The agreement also allows CSSM to integrate the Fruity Chutes Drone Recovery Systems into the UAS and system offerings that it markets to law enforcement, government, and commercial operators.
AeroVironment receives contract awards from U.S. Army for its Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System and Contractor Logistics Support
AeroVironment has announced that in April, it received contract awards from the United States Army for procurement of its Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), bringing the total value of Switchblade awards to $111,054,202 since August 2017.
With the AeroVironment Switchblade, warfighters are provided with “rapid-response force protection and precision strike capabilities” up to 10 kilometers from its launch location. The Switchblade has been deployed by U.S. forces for more than five years.
From Unmanned Systems Magazine: UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND EXPORT CONTROLS: WHAT YOUR COMPANY NEEDS TO KNOW
Companies that export unmanned systems or related components to customers abroad; who collaborate with overseas companies in the development or production process; or who share technical data with foreign nationals in the United States need to be aware of the potential impact of export control laws and regulations.
Export controls restrict the cross-border flow of strategic technologies and can even restrict the release of certain technical information within the United States. These restrictions can apply to unmanned systems and their related components and technical data.
This article provides an overview of U.S. commercial and military export controls, assesses how export controls apply to unmanned systems and provides compliance tips.
U.S. Department of the Interior awards contract to four companies for small UAS services
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded a “Call When Needed” contract to Bridger Aerospace, Insitu, Pathways2Solutions and Precision Integrated for small UAS services.
Described as a first of its kind for DOI, the contract will allow DOI to obtain “fully contractor-operated and maintained” small UAS that are ready when needed to support a variety of operations, including wildland fire operations, search and rescue, emergency management and other resource missions in the Contiguous 48 States and Alaska.
Alta Devices' solar technology selected to help power Hybrid Tiger UAV
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) will use Alta Devices’ “highly efficient, flexible, and light-weight” solar technology to help power the “breakthrough” Hybrid Tiger UAV.
The Hybrid Tiger is a project designed to create a Group-2 UAV that will stay aloft for at least three and a half days, and Alta Devices says that technologies developed for the project will be applicable to other unmanned vehicles.
Nationwide looking to leverage AI and UAS technology through investment in Betterview
In an effort to “enhance its ability to write business and service claims” utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and UAS technology, Nationwide is making a new venture capital investment in Betterview, an AI and UAS technology company.
According to Nationwide, its investment in Betterview is part of its commitment to finance more than $100 million of venture capital in “customer-centric solutions” that help members.
“Drones and artificial intelligence will play a critical role in meeting the needs of our customers in the future of both underwriting and claims response. It’s why we’re so excited about this partnership with Betterview,” says Scott Sanchez, Nationwide’s chief innovation officer.