Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has announced that it recently became the only university to acquire the Penguin C UAS specifically for flight training.
Described as one of the most sophisticated long-endurance, long-range professional UAS on the market today, the Penguin C aircraft “instantly transformed Embry-Riddle” upon their arrival on campus earlier this year, the university says.
IHP
IHP
Kansas State Polytechnic students meet with soldiers to learn about UAS
Students from the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus recently toured 1st Infantry Division UAS facilities at the Fort Riley Military Base in Kansas.
During their tour, students met with soldiers and learned about the Shadow and Gray Eagle UAS from Army maintainers and pilots.
“It's really cool to be here and to see the pinnacle of UAS tech,” says K-State senior in the UAS operations program Chris Horton.
For Horton, who hopes to land jobs working as government contractors, this was his first time seeing Fenix Company's Gray Eagles up close and in person.
Cape and Chula Vista Police Department tout benefits of UAS
Cape and the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) have announced the early results from their Drone as a First Response (DFR) program, which is part of the San Diego UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
Since the launch of the program in Oct. 2018, UAS equipped with the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform have conducted more than 282 flights, contributing to 20 arrests in the process.
“The Chula Vista Police Department is at the forefront of utilizing drones to enhance the science of policing,” says Chris Rittler, CEO of Cape.
University of South Florida's Brain-Drone Race welcomes diversity and inclusivity
Inside the Yuengling Center on the campus of the University of South Florida (USF), competitors focused intently as they raced to their respective finish lines in front of an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers.
But the field of 16 competitors weren’t using their legs to compete in a series of drag races taking place over the course of four rounds. Instead, they were using their brains to race drones during USF’s first brain-drone race on Saturday, Feb. 9.
California's Corona Police Department launches UAS team to assist with community operations
On Thursday, Feb. 7., the UAS team of Corona, California's police department officially went into service. According to the Corona Police Department, the UAS team will be used to enhance the safety and service the department provides the community.
Made up of seven FAA certified UAS pilots, the UAS team will support various traditional and non-traditional police activities, including but not limited to, search and rescue, supporting fire operations, and helping locate and apprehend fleeing criminals.
Grossmont College to offer free UAS training starting in March
Grossmont College in El Cajon, California has announced that it will offer a comprehensive UAS training program starting in March.
Funded by a $6 million federal America’s Promise grant through the U.S. Department of Labor, the UAS program will be free to anyone who is at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen, as required by the grant.
The noncredit program will be geared towards a variety of groups, including but not limited to, veterans, Native Americans, military spouses, ex-offenders, women, high school students and the unemployed and underemployed.
Ike believes self-driving trucks can help solve challenges plaguing trucking industry
A self-driving truck startup called Ike has announced that it has raised $52 million in Series A financing.
Ike notes that a number of factors such as a shortage of drivers, new regulations, growing accident rates, and the rise of ecommerce are having a major impact on the trucking industry, but the company believes that self-driving trucks can help solve these challenges.
“We came together over a passion for trucking, and created Ike with a mission to make trucks safer, truckers more valuable, and trucking more efficient,” Ike says in a company blog post.
Endeavor Robotics awarded contract to modernize and maintain Army's fleet of robot platforms
The U.S. Army has awarded Endeavor Robotics a firm-fixed-price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to modernize and maintain its current fleet of robot platforms.
The five-year contract is potentially worth $32.4 million.
“We’re pleased to win this opportunity to help the Army keep its UGV inventory at an optimum state of readiness,” says Tom Frost, Endeavor Robotics president.
Airborne Response conducts UAS training exercise with National Guard and others
On Jan. 24, Airborne Response completed a full-scale training exercise called Exercise Lightning Shield, during which it provided aerial support for the U.S. Army National Guard, as well as specialized elements of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida.
A Miami-based provider of “Mission Critical Unmanned Solutions” for industry and government, Airborne Response says that by deploying a force made up of UAS and Tethered Aerostat Systems (TAS) flight teams, it was able to provide “comprehensive low-altitude umbrella” capable of delivering aerial intelligence throughout the simulated disaster response exercise.
Georgia State researcher and collaborators awarded grant to develop UAS to battle wildfires
Through the National Robotics Initiative 2.0: Ubiquitous Collaborative Robots program, the United States Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded Georgia State researcher Xiaolin Hu and collaborators a four-year federal grant worth $1.2 million to develop the use of UAS in wildfire management.
The goal of the project is to provide more timely data that could allow authorities to give residents in affected areas more time to evacuate, while also helping firefighters working on the ground.