Through two Department of Transportation design challenges that are meant to improve transportation access to persons with disabilities and individuals with mobility challenges, 15 teams in 15 states will be awarded more than $41 million, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
“These exciting projects support the development of new innovative, inclusive, and affordable transportation technologies that address mobility and access challenges,” Secretary Chao said.
IHP
IHP
Global Air Drone Academy works to bridge race and gender gap in STEAM education and careers
During National Drone Safety Awareness Week (NDSAW) in November, students from the Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), a nonprofit organization that is bridging the race and gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education and careers, got the chance to sit down and have a discussion with FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.
DJI announces that drones have helped rescue more than 500 people around the world from danger
According to new statistics collected by DJI, drones have helped rescue more than 500 people around the world from danger.
The milestone was achieved in mid-October, when a DJI drone with a thermal imaging camera was used to find a missing 93-year-old woman in a dark field in Missouri.
“With more than 500 people now rescued by drones operated under basic rules, we can see how reasonable regulations with low barriers to entry literally save lives, and how useful expanded drone operations at night and over people will be when they are permitted at scale,” says Brendan Schulman, DJI vice president of Policy & Legal Affairs.
Conversations with AUVSI: Miso Robotics
Miso Robotics is creating innovative robotics and artificial intelligence solutions designed to revolutionize the restaurant and prepared food industries. The company was founded with a mission to leverage AI technology to help chefs cook food perfectly and consistently and enable restaurants to increase labor productivity, reduce costs and drive profitability while improving the overall dining experience.
In the fourth edition of “Conversations with AUVSI,” Buck Jordan, president and chairman of Miso Robotics, took the time to answer some questions about Miso Robotics’ background, the company's robotic kitchen assistant, Flippy, and the company’s various partnerships with different restaurants and kitchens.
Walmart, Intel partner to bring holiday drone light show to communities across U.S.
In an effort to uplift families following an unprecedented 2020, Walmart has announced the “Walmart Holiday Drone Light Show,” which the retail giant describes as “an all-new magical experience that brings the joy and wonder of the holiday season to the skies of select communities across the country, and to all families through a special live-streamed event.”
Weekend Roundup: November 20, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Students and faculty at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia are working on an autonomous vehicle that can transport the elderly. The JMU Autonomous Cart (JACart) research group tested its second autonomous (AV) golf cart on the university’s campus in a fixed course on Wednesday, Nov. 18. (WHSV-TV)
Tacoma passes resolution supporting responsible recreational drone use
In September, the Tacoma, Washington City Council passed Resolution 40658 supporting responsible recreational drone use in Tacoma. The resolution directs the City Manager to establish a point of reference on the city's website connecting Tacoma community members to federally established laws and regulations, as well as recommended best practices.
Drone Delivery Canada successfully completes Phase Three of its 'AED On The Fly' project
On Nov. 6, Drone Delivery Canada successfully completed Phase Three of its Automated External Defibrillator (AED) On The Fly project with Peel Region Paramedic Services and Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine.
DDC announced 100 percent successful Phase One and Phase Two testing in June 2019 and July 2020, respectively. During Phase Three, the Sparrow drone, with its cargo drop capability and audio announcement system, was utilized to drop an AED where a designated untrained (lay) bystander would then retrieve the AED and apply it to a simulated cardiac arrest patient in a rural environment.
During testing, response time to drop, retrieve and apply an AED, and physiological and psychological human factors in a stressful situation were all measured.
FAA announces BEYOND program following successful conclusion of UAS IPP
On Friday, Oct. 30, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced that the three-year UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) successfully concluded on Oct. 25.
Volansi launches commercial healthcare drone delivery project in North Carolina
Volansi Inc. has launched a commercial healthcare drone delivery project in North Carolina.
In collaboration with pharmaceutical company Merck, Volansi is testing the delivery of cold chain medicines from Merck's Wilson, North Carolina manufacturing site to Vidant Healthplex-Wilson, a Vidant Health clinic, as the first of three phases in a project to learn about how drone technology can improve access to healthcare.
Accessing care in Eastern North Carolina can be challenging because of its vast and rural environment. During initial flights in the project, the first drone delivery of temperature-controlled medicines within the U.S were made.
