Attendees of Wednesday’s keynote addresses on “The Unmanned Lifestyle” heard calls to balance enthusiasm for all that unmanned systems can bring to humanitarian causes and public safety with caution regarding the risks of turning over too much decision-making control to intelligent machines — and those who might hack them.
Opening speaker Zeynep Tufekci, a techno-sociologist based at the University of North Carolina, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the potential for discord and destabilization during times of great transition. On balance, she said, outcomes can be overwhelmingly positive, but the progress is often painful.
First Responders
First Responders
FLIR Systems' minority investment in DroneSense to help public safety organizations using UAS
FLIR Systems Inc. has completed a strategic investment in DroneSense, a company that makes a unique software platform that serves the growing needs of public safety organizations in using UAS to better perform their missions.
FLIR’s minority investment in DroneSense is expected to create opportunities for the companies to work together and share their respective expertise and customer relationships to “develop and bring to market advanced UAS operating, management, and reporting systems.”
Missouri man rescued with aid of UAS
On the night of March 27, a UAS was used to help rescue a man who drove on to a bridge and found himself in the flooded James River at the Crighton Access Point in Missouri.
The Logan Rogersville Fire Department called on Pilot Tom Baird to provide aerial assistance for this mission. Within seven minutes, Baird got the UAS into the air, and helped crews find the man who needed help faster than if they were to search waterways by boat or on foot.
Milrem Robotics developing firefighting and search and rescue UGV
Milrem Robotics is developing a firefighting and search and rescue UGV called Multiscope Rescue.
The UGV, which is being developed together with rescue services, is built to reach areas that are unreachable by human personnel or too dangerous for firefighters to go into, such as tunnels or other structures that may collapse at any time.
The UGV can be equipped with firefighting equipment such as a water tank and a remotely controlled water cannon. It can also be equipped with thermal cameras and powerful lights to locate missing people in harsh environments or remote forested areas.
Minnesota firefighters learn how UAS can assist their operations
During the finale of the 2018 Minnesota State Fire School & Expo, a few dozen area firefighters learned about UAS and how the technology can be used in emergency situations.
As a part of their class, firefighters received a lecture about UAS, which was followed by a live demonstration of the technology in action. During that demonstration, firefighters got to see the different maneuvers and functions of the UAS in the sky, and they could also view what the camera was capturing on a TV.
The class, which was taught by Al Ebbinga, was meant to not only show how UAS can benefit first responders on scene, but it was also meant to “clarify the perception of the name "drone" and how it's been used.”
DARTdrones pledges $100,000 in UAS training grants to public safety organizations
DARTdrones has announced that it is pledging $100,000 in UAS training grants to public safety organizations as a way to give back, and ultimately, save more lives with UAS.
For DARTdrones, UAS provide a number of benefits for public safety entities and first responders, but the financial costs associated with launching a UAS program remains an obstacle for many public safety organizations.
DARTdrones believes that every department should have the opportunity to use UAS technology as part of its daily operations, so with this in mind, the company is launching the DARTdrones Public Safety Grant to provide a “pathway for departments to adopt this cutting-edge technology.”
DJI To Sponsor AUVSI XPONENTIAL’s Inaugural Humanitarian Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 1, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
Texas game wardens optimistic that new UAS will have life-saving impact
Texas game wardens will use their new DJI Inspire 2 UAS to “enhance their ability to quickly and safely surveil hard to access areas during natural disasters and search and rescue operations.”
The UAS’ camera payload allows for real-time broadcast, providing the same live HD video feed to a large HD TV screen or monitor. With this feature, rescuers and command staff can have a live view that allows them to make “immediate and appropriate decisions that save lives.”
Drone America and Thrush Aircraft partner to develop world's first autonomous air tanker
UAS manufacturer Drone America and aircraft manufacturer Thrush Aircraft have formed a strategic alliance to begin the development of the world’s first autonomous air tanker, which would add to the arsenal of airborne tactics available to firefighters and first responders when fighting wildfires.
The new tanker is expected to mix Thrush’s large airframe and airborne delivery system expertise with Drone America’s “Ariel” amphibious platform, producing an aircraft capable of delivering approximately 800 gallons of water or fire retardant, autonomously.
Save the Date: AUVSI Unmanned Systems Defense. Protection. Security., Feb. 6 to 8, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 3, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786