This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has signed a bill that mandates the creation of a study on how UAS can help public safety agencies with their missions, and in turn, lower their dependence on manned aircraft. Through H.B.1070, a UAS pilot program will be established, and the Department of Labor and Employment will receive authorization “to provide resources for the training and development of eligible pilot program members.” The results of the program (which will be funded through gifts, grants and donations) and the study will be submitted to General Assembly committees. (Unmanned Aerial)

As a part of NASA’s Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) project, three teams of researchers will each begin separate formal feasibility studies related in UAS. It is expected to take between 24-30 months to complete the three investigations. A team of NASA aeronautics managers selected the studies, and the studies join five that were selected last year, and six that were selected the year before. (Vision Systems)

The China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) says that China has broken the previous record of a swarm of 67 drones, by launching a swarm of 119 fixed-wing UAS. While in the air, the UAS performed catapult-assisted take-offs and formations. The CETC says that “swarm intelligence” is the core of artificial intelligence of unmanned systems, and the future of intelligent unmanned systems. (Shanghai Daily)

Beijing's first driverless subway line, the Yanfang line, has started test runs, and has an anticipated service start timeframe of the end of 2017. According to the entity responsible for the construction of the line, First Engineering Co., Ltd of China Railway Electrification Bureau Group, the Yanfang line will be the first domestically developed automated subway on the mainland. The maximum speed on the line will be 80 kilometers per hour, and the trains will be able to carry 1,262 passengers. (Xinhuanet.com)

The FAA has granted Praxis Aerospace Concepts International (PACI) authorization to operate UAS within Las Vegas’ Class B airspace, allowing the company to provide UAS services to the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. PACI is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, whose mission is to “develop practical solutions for multi-modal (ground-air-sea-industrial) response robotics and unmanned systems.” PACI has already received permission to operate UAS at night time, and it plans on seeking additional waivers under the Part 107 rule. (Unmanned Aerial)