3D Robotics (3DR) has announced a new partnership with one of Japan’s largest distributors of information and communications technology, SoftBank C&S, which will result in 3DR providing its Site Scan UAS data platform to AEC professionals in Japan.
Site Scan will be the only commercial UAS software offered by SoftBank, which will open up the power of UAS data to Softbank’s customers across Japan.
“Aerial data software like Site Scan is already driving productivity for our customers in Japan,” says Matt Harrison, Head of Sales at 3DR.
“The partnership with SoftBank will allow 3DR to meet the demand for drone data across the country.”
Business Solutions
Business Solutions
Kongsberg Maritime’s HUGIN AUV chosen by University of Gothenburg for marine research
Kongsberg Maritime’s HUGIN AUV has been selected by the University of Gothenburg, and the AUV will be used to expand the capabilities of Sweden in the field of marine research, using unmanned vehicles and platforms.
The AUV, which is expected to be delivered in February 2018, will be recognized “as a national asset for marine research projects around Sweden and further afield.”
“In order to map the ocean environment to the degree that vital climate change research requires, we need to focus more on increasing our use of autonomous observation platforms,” says Anna Wåhlin, Professor in Oceanography, University of Gothenburg, through an article from Marine Technology News.
Rockwell Collins avionics chosen by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to support UAS ground control station
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has selected the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system to support the company’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS.
In an effort to simply civil airspace access, Rockwell Collins will offer support to GA-ASI to “efficiently upgrade the proven Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system.”
The UAS ground control station will utilize the capabilities of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system, to support customers and missions that require operations in civil airspace.
Kespry enters insurance sector and brings UAS platform with it
Kespry has formally entered into the insurance sector, which will allow the company to “extend its end-to-end and easy-to-use enterprise drone platform by offering insurance specific functionality such as inspection-quality imagery for roofing and automated analysis to assist claim adjusters.”
The Kespry UAS captures data that delivers high-resolution imagery with 1 mm per pixel resolution, which can detect physical damage and granule loss. Rooftop imagery is available onsite in less than 10 minutes, giving field and desk adjusters access to comprehensive roof dimensions and automated damage detection.
Textron Systems unveils NIGHTWARDEN Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
At the 2017 Paris Air Show, Textron Systems Unmanned Systems introduced its NIGHTWARDEN Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS), which has a maximum speed of up to 90 knots, an endurance of up to 15 hours and a payload capacity of up to 130 pounds.
With more than 400 hours of flight time under its belt for potential customers, including delegations from the Mideast, the Asia-Pacific region, and from Europe, the NIGHTWARDEN TUAS has undergone thorough internal testing and demonstration efforts.
The NIGHTWARDEN TUAS builds upon the lineage of TUAS that Textron Systems has developed, and according to the company, the NIGHTWARDEN is the “new next-generation platform, representing the production-ready model of the developmental Shadow® M2.”
Company to oversee first phase of construction of automated vehicle proving ground
After being awarded a $24 million contract, Angelo Iafrate Construction, which is a Michigan-based company that has experience in heavy civil and transportation construction, will oversee phase one of the construction of a connected and automated vehicle proving ground at Willow Run for the American Center for Mobility.
The first phase of construction, which is expected to be complete and open for testing in December of this year, will include the building of a two-and-a-half-mile highway loop with on- and off-ramps and a 700’ curved tunnel.
A garage for customers will also be constructed, and an operations center will be built out.
Delair-Tech’s UAS selected as drones of choice for French government agencies purchasing fixed wing UAS
A week after it was announced that Delair-Tech and RTE set a new distance record by flying a civilian UAS 30 miles beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in France, it has been announced that Delair-Tech’s DT18 and DT26X UAS have been selected as the drones of choice for French government agencies purchasing fixed wing UAS.
The Union of Public Procurement Groups (UGAP), “which acts as the purchasing conduit for government agencies across the country,” made the decision, and as a result, UGAP will add Delair-Tech’s UAS to its purchasing catalog, which is used by public agencies such as the army, police forces and firefighters.
Jaguar Land Rover invests $25 million in Lyft for autonomous vehicle testing
Through its mobility services subsidiary InMotion, Jaguar Land Rover has invested $25 million in Lyft, which will result in InMotion developing and testing mobility services, including autonomous vehicles, with the ride-hailing service.
As a part of the investment, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will also be provided to some Lyft drivers.
“Personal mobility and smart transportation is evolving,” says Sebastian Peck, InMotion managing director, via CNBC. “This new collaborative venture will provide a real-world platform helping us develop our connected and autonomous services.”
Boeing and Huntington Ingalls Industries will work together to develop UUVs for U.S. Navy’s Extra Large UUV program
Boeing and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) have announced a partnership to work on the design and production of UUVs, which will be used in support of the U.S. Navy’s Extra Large UUV program.
Design and production facilities in Huntington Beach, California, Newport News, Virginia, and Panama City, Florida, will be leveraged through the partnership. Access to all of Boeing's and HII's expertise and capabilities will also be offered.
SoftBank acquires robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics
Softbank, which is a Japanese multinational telecommunications and Internet corporation, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Boston Dynamics, a robotics pioneer, from Alphabet Inc.
According to SoftBank, the transaction “aligns with SoftBank's investments in paradigm-shifting technologies and its vision of catalyzing the next wave of smart robotics.”
“We at Boston Dynamics are excited to be part of SoftBank's bold vision and its position creating the next technology revolution, and we share SoftBank's belief that advances in technology should be for the benefit of humanity,” says Marc Raibert, CEO and founder of Boston Dynamics.
