In an effort to create an environment where UAS can be flown safely and under control in the vicinity of airports, Unifly and Integra Aviation Academy have announced that they will work together to set up an Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system that makes it possible to “detect, monitor and document” UAS operations on a national scale.
The entities will seek to accomplish this goal by working with some of the top manufacturers within the field.
“Airports and their surroundings are a highly specific and vulnerable area where it is vital for manned and unmanned aviation to coexist safely,” says Mark Kegelaers, CEO of Unifly.
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Boeing partners with Queensland Government to establish autonomous systems development program in Australia
Boeing has announced a new partnership agreement with the Queensland Government in Australia, which will result in Australia being home to Boeing’s largest autonomous systems development program outside of the U.S.
Over the next three years, Boeing will use the rapid innovation program to develop “next-generation autonomous systems capability” in Australia, in an effort to increase the independent operation of air and sea vehicles.
According to Chris Raymond, Boeing vice president and general manager, Autonomous Systems, the Queensland program formed part of Boeing’s global growth strategy to “accelerate game-changing autonomous technology for commercial and defence systems.”
Middle Eastern country awards AeroVironment contract for its Puma AE UAS
A major country in the Middle East has awarded AeroVironment, Inc. a contract valued at $44.5 million (USD) for its Puma II AE small UAS featuring the new Mantis i45 sensor.
Puma AE UAS equipped with the Mantis i45 sensor suite gives operators the ability to “see better and farther than ever before,” which provides more actionable intelligence, so users can proceed with certainty.
Described as rugged, portable and fully waterproof, Puma AE gives operators “unmatched operational flexibility in the small UAS class,” according to AeroVironment.
Toyota establishing new company to accelerate its efforts in 'advanced development for automated driving'
In the latter part of March, Toyota will establish a new company in Tokyo called the “Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development” (TRI-AD). The company is expected to accelerate Toyota's efforts in “advanced development for automated driving.”
TRI-AD will be led by Toyota Research Institute, Inc. (TRI) Chief Technology Officer Dr. James Kuffner, who will serve as the company’s CEO.
“Building production-quality software is a critical success factor for Toyota’s automated driving program,” Dr. Kuffner says.
Skyguide and AirMap team up to develop and deploy first national UAS traffic management system in Europe
Skyguide, which is a Swiss air navigation service provider, and AirMap, which is the leading global airspace management platform for UAS, have announced that they will develop and deploy the first national UAS traffic management system in Europe.
The resulting system from this partnership between the two companies will be the first national deployment of U-space, which is Europe’s vision for the “digital infrastructure that will support safe and secure access to European skies for millions of drones.”
U-space is similar to the U.S. “Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)” initiative, in that it is a “collaborative effort to enable situational awareness, data exchange, and digital communication for the European drone ecosystem.”
BWI and AUVSI Announce Drone Insurance Partnership
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2018
AUVSI Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
BWI Contact: Matt White, Matt.White@bwifly.com, (800) 666-4358
BWI and AUVSI Announce Drone Insurance Partnership
Expanded products, services and discounts for AUVSI members and BWI customers
Ford testing its self-driving vehicle service in Miami
Ford has announced that it will test its self-driving vehicle service in Florida, on the streets of Miami and Miami Beach.
Ford will do this with the help of Miami-Dade County, whose mayor, Carlos A. Giménez, is on the “forefront of thinking about the future of transportation,” according to Sherif Marakby, Ford Vice President, Autonomous Vehicles and Electrification, via a post on Medium.com.
MDA selects Schiebel's CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS to fulfill contract with international customer
MDA, which is a Maxar Technologies company, has commissioned a fleet of Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS to fulfill a contract with an international customer.
According to Schiebel, MDA chose the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS because of its “impressive track record of providing critical support in sea- and land-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.”
The S-100 is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS with a relatively small logistical footprint. This small logistical footprint allows for flexible and rapid deployment.
Schiebel says that “by day and night, the UAS functions as a platform capable of carrying a wide range of high-end payloads.”
Randolph Electric Membership Corporation donates $10,000 in support of NC Public Safety Drone Academy
In support of Montgomery Community College’s (MCC) NC Public Safety Drone Academy, Randolph Electric Membership Corporation (Randolph EMC) donated $10,000 to the community college located in Troy, North Carolina.
The funds will be used to buy software and develop an educational course for REMC’s Utility Based Drone Program. The funds will also be used to allow Randolph EMC line technicians to undergo training with UAS, so that they can obtain their certification to operate the technology.
Royal Canadian Navy acquires AeroVironment's Puma II AE UAS
AeroVironment, Inc. and MDA, a Maxar Technologies company, have announced that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has acquired the AeroVironment Puma II AE, which is a maritime mini UAS. MDA partnered with AeroVironment to satisfy the requirement of the Department of National Defence of Canada for the Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aircraft System (MMUAS).
The UAS will be fielded aboard RCN Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDV), and will include the Mantis i45 sensor and a 360-degree antenna system, which will enhance the Puma II AE's ability to support maritime operations.