Two founding members of the Dronecode software consortium, 3D Robotics (3DR) and Yuneec, have established a US-based joint venture known as 3DR Government Services to bring new products based on the Dronecode platform to market.
With a focus on serving the security and open platform needs of US government customers and their vendors in construction, engineering, and public safety, 3DR Government Services will combine Yuneec’s UAS expertise and manufacturing scale with the capabilities offered by 3DR’s software.
Business Solutions
Business Solutions
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
According to China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, Waymo has established a subsidiary in China. Known as Huimo Business Consulting, the subsidiary, based in Shanghai, has a business scope that includes autonomous driving parts and product design, testing and other related services, to name a few. (China Money Network)
Boeing to build U.S. Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft
On Aug. 30, the U.S. Navy awarded Boeing an $805 million contract to build the Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, the MQ-25 aerial refueler, selecting the company over bids from Lockheed Martin and General Atomics.
Boeing was awarded the engineering and manufacturing development contract to provide an initial four aircraft.
“As a company, we made an investment in both our team and in an unmanned aircraft system that meets the U.S. Navy’s refueling requirements,” says Leanne Caret, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
NUAIR Alliance partners with Unifly to provide enhanced UTM capabilities
The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR Alliance) and Griffiss International Airport have partnered with Unifly to provide enhanced unmanned traffic management (UTM) capabilities for the New York UAS Test Site's 50-mile UTM Corridor currently being constructed.
Once it establishes a presence in Central New York, Unifly will deploy its software platform and support traffic management testing.
Working with NUAIR, Unifly will enable enhancements to test beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) systems. The ultimate goal is to safely integrate UAS into the nation’s airspace.
County of Cape May, New Jersey awarded $3 million grant to build UAS facility
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding the County of Cape May, New Jersey a $3 million grant to help build a 20,000 square foot multi-tenant building.
The facility, which will be located within the Cape May County Airport, will help fulfill the needs of companies in the UAS industry.
“Building the new ‘tech village’ right at Cape May County Airport will not only immediately create good-paying jobs, the final training facility will empower entrepreneurs and businesses in the fast-growing field of unmanned aerial vehicles,” says New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.
Toyota extends collaboration with Uber on autonomous vehicle technology; announces investment
With the aim of “advancing and bringing to market autonomous ride-sharing as a mobility service at scale,” Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Uber have announced that they will expand their collaboration.
Through this expansion, technology from each company will be integrated into purpose-built Toyota vehicles that will be deployed on Uber’s ride-sharing network.
In addition to the announcement of its expanded collaboration with Uber, Toyota has also announced that it will invest $500 million in the ride-hailing service.
Pollen Systems unveils 'drone-aided managed service and self-service portal'
Pollen Systems Corporation has unveiled a “drone-aided managed service and self-service portal” called Pollen Scout, which helps farms and vineyards monitor crop growth, discover irrigation issues, and investigate pests and diseases.
Every week, commercially certified UAS technologists go to subscribing farms and vineyard sites and capture detailed pictures and spectral images using UAS. These pictures and images can help farmers quickly uncover and address common issues, ultimately helping improve crop yield and quality.
Pollen Systems unveiled Pollen Scout during the Woodinville, Washington annual Auction of Washington Wines, which provided a perfect venue to launch the company, and communicate with potential customers.
Gecko Robotics seeks to save lives at power plants with its wall-climbing robots
Via TechCrunch, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Gecko Robotics, which is developing wall-climbing robots to help save lives at power plants in the United States, has announced that it has secured $7 million from a group that includes Founders Fund, Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban, and Y Combinator.
Gecko Robotics’ robots are considered “an important part of ensuring safety in industrial and power plant facilities,” being that they can go ahead of humans to check for potential hazards.
Navya and Keolis Canada announce Canada's first autonomous shuttle pilot project on public roads
Navya and Keolis Canada recently announced the launch of a 12-month autonomous shuttle pilot project, which is set to begin at the end of this month in Candiac, Quebec, Canada.
During the year-long pilot, Navya’s AUTONOM shuttle will operate in real traffic conditions on public roads, which will be a first in Canada. In an effort to determine how to best meet user's mobility needs, especially during their home-work trips, the shuttle will carry users on a two-kilometer route, with several stops throughout the city.
Airbus Aerial aids insurance, firefighters battling California's Carr fire
Airbus Aerial, the startup offshoot of commercial and defense giant Airbus, has been using its analytic tools to help insurance companies and first responders come to grips with California’s raging Carr fire, still only 61 percent contained as of Monday.
Airbus Aerial fuses satellite data with its in-house analytical systems to let insurance companies monitor areas they insure, enabling them to settle claims rapidly — in some cases, before the homeowner even knows their house has burned down.
One insurer logged into AA’s system on Friday and by Saturday had settled about a thousand claims, says AA President Jesse Kallman.
“With the satellite, it’s pretty interesting to be able to triage an entire county,” Kallman says.
