CTIA, which is a wireless association that represents the wireless communications industry in the United States, has called on the FAA to recognize that commercial wireless networks offer the best communications platform to support America's UAS market that continues to grow and evolve at a rapid pace.
The call from CTIA comes as the FAA looks to establish the first federal rules governing how UAS should communicate with each other and the surrounding environment.
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Business Solutions
AirMap to integrate its airspace intelligence into Kespry's UAS platform
AirMap and Kespry have announced a partnership that will result in Kespry’s automated UAS platform being equipped with AirMap’s best-in-class airspace intelligence, which includes airspace advisories, wind, and weather.
The new AirMap-Kespry integration provides the Kespry flight app with AirMap’s airspace intelligence. During the flight planning process, the app automatically surfaces AirMap airspace advisories, wind, and weather customized to the specific parameters of each flight, including the UAS operator’s pilot certification.
The Sky Guys and partners to develop UAS platform to monitor highways in Ontario
A Canadian provider of UAS technology and systems called The Sky Guys has teamed up with NVIDIA, IBM and the University of Toronto to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled UAS platform to monitor Ontario’s 400-series highways, in response to the Vehicle Occupancy Detection Problem Statement from the Small Business Innovation Challenge.
Working closely with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to develop this platform, the entities will complete this application, known as the “Long-Range AI-Enabled Unmanned Aerial System for Highway Traffic Enforcement with Future Road Applications,” using a $750,000 award from Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), as part of the Small Business Innovation Challenge (SBIC).
3D Robotics announces integration of its Site Scan with Autodesk BIM 360
3D Robotics (3DR) has announced the integration of its Site Scan UAS data platform for construction and engineering professionals with Autodesk BIM 360, which is a project management tool for virtual construction managers and field teams.
Made possible through the Autodesk Forge platform, this “one-of-a-kind partnership” makes it “easier than ever” for project managers, engineers, subcontractors, superintendents and other members of project teams to access UAS data, and use it in their day-to-day work.
Ontario launches Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network
Ontario, Canada has launched its Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN), which is located in Stratford, Ontario.
Among its many features, which include a Research and Development Partnership Fund, a Talent Development Program and a Central Hub, AVIN has a demonstration zone that is described as “among the first of its kind in Canada.” The demonstration zone will serve as a space for researchers to hone connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) technology, and test these vehicles in various every day, real-life traffic scenarios.
Premier Kathleen Wynne officially opened the AVIN Demonstration Zone on Nov. 8, and she thinks very highly about the future of this technology not only in Ontario, but across the globe.
Teams of "swarm systems integrators" to develop UAS swarm infrastructure for US military
In an effort to help the U.S. military in urban combat, two teams of “swarm systems integrators” will look to develop a UAS swarm infrastructure, using funding from a multi-million-dollar contract that is part of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Offensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program.
The goal of the program is “to empower … troops with technology to control scores of unmanned air and ground vehicles at a time.”
The two teams will be responsible for developing the system infrastructure and integrating the work of the “sprint” teams, which will focus on swarm tactics, swarm autonomy, human-swarm teaming, physical experimentation and virtual environments.
Measure announces new franchise location in Denver area
According to Unmanned Aerial Online, Measure, which provides UAS services for enterprise customers, has announced a new franchise location in Castle Rock, Colorado, which is in the Denver area.
The Castle Rock office will use UAS to provide infrastructure inspection services for businesses in the metropolitan area.
Congruex acquires UAV services company CCLD
A company called Congruex, which was established to build a nationwide platform that delivers a variety of services to broadband service providers and utility operators across the country, including end-to-end engineering, construction and maintenance services, has acquired an outside plant (OSP) telecommunications contracting firm called C.C.L.D. Technologies (CCLD).
Based in Buford, Georgia, CCLD operates across four lines of business, one of which is UAV services.
“We are eager to begin our partnership with Congruex to further accelerate our growth, industry capabilities and resulting market share,” says Brett Burke, Chief Executive Officer of CCLD.
ArdentMC launches UAS initiative to aid areas of Northern California damaged by wildfires
Reston, Virginia-based software development firm Ardent Management Consulting (ArdentMC) has announced the launch of a UAS initiative, which will result in the company offering up to 100 hours of free aid in areas of Northern California that have been devastated by wildfires.
During the two-week initiative, ArdentMC will utilize geographic information system (GIS) technology to help assess the damage caused by wildfires that have consumed much of Northern California.
AUVSI Announces LiquidPiston as Winner of Novus Unmanned 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 7, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786