Suncor Energy, which is a Canadian integrated energy company, has announced that it will proceed with the “phased implementation of autonomous haulage systems (AHS)” at company-operated mines, starting with the North Steepbank mine. Over the next six years, Suncor expects to deploy more than 150 autonomous haul trucks in the full program, which will be “one of the largest investments in electric autonomous vehicles in the world,” according to the company. Suncor has spent the past four years evaluating AHS technology, and the company has validated that this technology can be used “safely, effectively and efficiently in its operating environment.”

SUEZ in North America, which is under Paris-based parent company SUEZ, has partnered with UAS service provider Sky Scape Industries (SSI) in what the companies call an industry first, as they look to implement UAS technology into water utility operations. SUEZ North America owns and operates 15 water utilities, and operates 70 municipal systems through public-private partnerships and contract partnerships. With this in mind, the companies say that this partnership will “incorporate safe and efficient drone technology solutions into the maintenance and construction of one of the country’s most valuable utilities.”

A commercial UAS software provider called Converge has announced that during its first seed funding, the company raised more than $750,000. The initial round of funding included investors such as Samsung NEXT, Techstars Ventures, and Kima Ventures. Founded by alumni from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Converge is developing artificial intelligence (AI) fueled software for UAS that enables them to handle dull, dirty, and dangerous work. Converge says that its software has already been piloted by a selection of UAS service providers, as well as one of the largest construction companies in Florida.

On Jan. 18, Ohio Governor John Kasich made DriveOhio official with an executive order. DriveOhio is essentially a “one-stop shop for researchers, developers and manufacturers to collaborate on autonomous and connected vehicle initiatives in Ohio.” The executive order brings together two entities; those that are responsible for building transportation infrastructure, and those that are developing advanced mobility technologies. It provides a “statewide, single point of entry” for companies and innovators to test and build smart mobility technologies together, and, it establishes an “infrastructure for developing and establishing statewide standards and strategic recommendations” in regard to the types and use of technology for deployment, as well as their financing.