Aspen Avionics and Sensurion Aerospace will bring certified avionics to the UAS and unmanned air-taxi marketplace, thanks to a recently announced co-development partnership between the two.
The companies will focus on several areas, including FAA certified autopilots, communications, navigation, and surveillance systems for small, medium, and large UAS, including future cargo and passenger carrying aircraft.
“The real winners in this partnership are the UAS users, system integrators and manufacturers,” says Aspen President and CEO, John Uczekaj.
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University of Waterloo partners with Chinese institutions to advance research related to connected and autonomous vehicle technology
In an effort to “advance research in the areas of connected and autonomous vehicle technology,” the University of Waterloo is partnering with the Qingdao Academy of Intelligent Industries (QAII), and the State Key Laboratory for Management and Control of Complex Systems (SKL-MCCS), both of which are institutes in China.
The entities recently signed an agreement to solidify the partnership.
The agreement outlines several initiatives, including faculty and graduate student exchanges, a Waterloo PhD program focused on autonomous vehicles, and the establishment of a shared research center for automated driving.
Magna and Lyft partner to develop and manufacture self-driving systems
Magna, which is a mobility technology company and automotive supplier, and Lyft have announced a multi-year collaboration in which the companies will “jointly fund, develop, and manufacture self-driving systems.” Magna will also invest $200 million in Lyft equity.
As a result of the collaboration, Lyft will lead the co-development of the self-driving system at its Palo Alto-based self-driving engineering center; Magna will lead manufacturing and join Lyft's development team onsite, where it will contribute its vehicle systems knowledge, safety and ADAS expertise, and manufacturing capabilities; and Magna and Lyft will share jointly created IP and utilize Lyft data to improve systems.
Airspace Systems raises $20 million
Airspace Systems Inc., which manufactures comprehensive drone defense systems, has announced that it raised $20 million from a Series A funding round led by Singtel Innov8, the venture capital arm of Singtel.
As part of its investment, Jeff Karras, Managing Director of Investments at Singtel Innov8, will join Airspace’s board of directors.
“Demand for protecting stadiums, commercial buildings, power plants and, for that matter, any other public venues from potential drone threats is growing rapidly,” Karras says.
Hydroid releases compact, one-man portable REMUS M3V AUV
Hydroid Inc. has announced the release of the REMUS M3V, a compact, one-man portable AUV that is low cost and ready to use right out of the box.
Capable of diving up to 300 meters in depth, the REMUS M3V can be used to support a variety of applications, including search and survey; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); marine research; and multi-vehicle missions.
Considered a “true A-size (36" x 4.875") vehicle,” the micro AUV has no fins or appendages outside the A-size envelope, and can be used for multi-domain deployments.
Sinclair Community College partners with Consortiq to increase UAS safety
The Sinclair Community College National UAS Training and Certification Center has announced a partnership with Consortiq that will result in Sinclair incorporating Consortiq’s UAS fleet management software, CQNet, to support the management of the college’s UAS missions.
CQNet, which is a comprehensive fleet management system that also captures crucial platform and pilot data, provides a critical element of safe UAS missions.
Chris Corgnati appointed Chief Operating Officer of PAE ISR
PAE ISR, which is a lead systems integrator and full service provider for UAS, has appointed Chris Corgnati as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
With more than 25 years of executive and operational leadership in naval aviation, Corgnati is a recognized expert in the development, acquisition and integration of unmanned systems.
Before being appointed COO at PAE ISR, Corgnati held several titles, including Vice President of the NASA and Department of Defense programs at Crown Consulting, Director of ISR Capabilities for the Chief of Naval Operations, and the United States Head of Delegation for the NATO Joint Capability Group on Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Unifly and Integra Aviation Academy collaborating to set up UTM system for UAS
In an effort to create an environment where UAS can be flown safely and under control in the vicinity of airports, Unifly and Integra Aviation Academy have announced that they will work together to set up an Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system that makes it possible to “detect, monitor and document” UAS operations on a national scale.
The entities will seek to accomplish this goal by working with some of the top manufacturers within the field.
“Airports and their surroundings are a highly specific and vulnerable area where it is vital for manned and unmanned aviation to coexist safely,” says Mark Kegelaers, CEO of Unifly.
Boeing partners with Queensland Government to establish autonomous systems development program in Australia
Boeing has announced a new partnership agreement with the Queensland Government in Australia, which will result in Australia being home to Boeing’s largest autonomous systems development program outside of the U.S.
Over the next three years, Boeing will use the rapid innovation program to develop “next-generation autonomous systems capability” in Australia, in an effort to increase the independent operation of air and sea vehicles.
According to Chris Raymond, Boeing vice president and general manager, Autonomous Systems, the Queensland program formed part of Boeing’s global growth strategy to “accelerate game-changing autonomous technology for commercial and defence systems.”
Middle Eastern country awards AeroVironment contract for its Puma AE UAS
A major country in the Middle East has awarded AeroVironment, Inc. a contract valued at $44.5 million (USD) for its Puma II AE small UAS featuring the new Mantis i45 sensor.
Puma AE UAS equipped with the Mantis i45 sensor suite gives operators the ability to “see better and farther than ever before,” which provides more actionable intelligence, so users can proceed with certainty.
Described as rugged, portable and fully waterproof, Puma AE gives operators “unmatched operational flexibility in the small UAS class,” according to AeroVironment.
