This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World

LORD Corporation, which develops wireless and embedded sensing systems, has introduced its LXRS+ wireless networking protocol, which features a bandwidth of 16,000 samples per second per channel, and an aggregate system bandwidth of 256,000 samples per second over 16 channels. According to LORD, “the wireless sensor nodes that operate using LXRS+ protocol are designed to operate at incredibly low-power,” which allows battery powered networks to operate for long periods of time, and “makes the use of energy harvesting systems a viable option for permanent installations.”

In an effort to boost security, and determine the effectiveness of UAS when they are being used to protect the president, the United States Secret Service will utilize a small tethered UAS during President Donald Trump's visit to his golf club in New Jersey this month, to provide extra security. The UAS will be powered by a microfilament tether, and will look for potential threats using electro-optical and infrared cameras. The UAS will fly at an altitude of 300 to 400 feet, and will focus on the “outer perimeter of the protection zone around the golf club.” (WKZO.com)

In what will be the first cross-border test of its kind, two driverless vehicles will be piloted by Continental and Magna on a drive from southeastern Michigan to Sarnia, Ontario. When operating on their own, the vehicles will use a combination of cameras, lidar and radar. The vehicles won’t be in complete control for the entire route, but they will operate autonomously during two border crossings taking place at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and the Blue Water Bridge. (Engadget)

For the second year in a row, Jordan “Jet” Temkin has earned the title of “World’s Greatest Drone Pilot,” after winning the Drone Racing League (DRL) Allianz World Championship 2017. Temkin won the final race during DRL’s season finale of the competition in London. Speaking about Temkin after his victory, DRL CEO & founder, Nicholas Horbaczewski, said, “he has proven himself to be the best drone pilot on the planet, and we can’t wait for him to return for the 2018 Season.” (Dronelife.com)

19 middle school students from Geary County, Kansas learned about UAS flights and simulators, autonomous robots, 3D printing, telepresence and the aviation program at Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus during a student camp that focused on STEM education. The camp was possible thanks to a $160,000 grant awarded to K-State Polytechnic and the Geary County School District. (Salina Journal)

India’s first unmanned tank, called Mission UNmanned TRAcked (Muntra), has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The tank has three variants: surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance, which can be used in areas with nuclear and bio threats. The tanks will be used by the Indian Armed forces to conduct unmanned surveillance missions. (Firstpost.com)

In Russia, the Advanced Research Foundation and the Rubin Central Design Bureau will create a prototype of an AUV that is capable of reaching the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest point in the ocean. The stand-alone AUV, which will be equipped with sonar systems and advanced video, will be capable of reaching the deepest points of the ocean. The AUV demonstrator, which will be designed within the project, will include the AUV itself, a vessel-based support system and an underwater positioning system. (TASS.com)