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This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Piaggio has unveiled its new autonomous robot, the Gita, which is designed to carry personal cargo. Built to follow a human, or move autonomously along paths it has previously traveled, Gita is 26 inches tall, can carry up to 40 pounds, all while traveling at a top speed of 22 miles per hour. Piaggio is looking to test the robot on college campuses and select towns across the United States. (Mashable)
Drones are being tested in Nepal and Tanzania, to see if UAS can be used to deliver blood and medical supplies in disaster zones. Thus far, the trial has successfully trained 42 future pilots and imagery analysts in the operation of UAS, the production of 3D maps, and teaching others in communities how to fly UAS. Officials hope that one day, civilians, doctors and nurses will all be able to order the lifesaving UAS, named ‘Stork’ drones, via a mobile phone. (Daily Mail)
SRC Inc., an independent not-for-profit, research and development corporation, has received a contract worth $65 million from the U.S. Army. Using the money from the contract, SRC will develop up to 15 sets of counter-drone systems. SRC plans to immediately hire 50 engineers to staff its New York office. (Government Technology)
With plans on testing its driverless vehicles, Volvo is looking for volunteers to test those vehicles in west London, as the cars commute autonomously on motorways and dual carriageways. Once a vehicle reaches London, the drivers will take over control of it, but the drivers will be alerted of when it is time to takeover well before they actually have to. (Auto World News)
About 40 students from the University of British Columbia (UBC) are prepping to build a second autonomous sailboat to sail across the ocean. Last year, students from UBC sent their “sailbot” Ada 1.0 across the Atlantic Ocean, but it is believed that the unmanned boat succumbed to the rough seas during its journey. Students will begin working on the Ada 2.0 this summer after classes are complete for the year. (Vancouver Sun)
InnoCorp, LLC has unveiled the SubMurres, which doubles as both a UUV and a UAV. The system can make this transition without any individual or multiple deployments, fission of elements, or complicated maneuvering. The SubMurres is controlled by command, and is powered by diesel/battery. (Drone Blog)
Knightscope has unveiled its new security robot designed to patrol sidewalks, parking lots, schools, and malls. The 300-pound robot, named after the company, has full 360-degree vision capabilities thanks to HD and infrared cameras. There are two versions of the system; one is five-feet-tall and named K5, while the other is three-feet-tall and named K3. The larger version is meant to patrol large spaces, while the smaller one is meant to patrol smaller ones. Among many capabilities, both the K5 and the K3 can record audio and video, read license plates and detect the presence of firearms. (The Merkle)
