3D Robotics (3DR) has announced the integration of its Site Scan UAS data platform for construction and engineering professionals with Autodesk BIM 360, which is a project management tool for virtual construction managers and field teams.
Made possible through the Autodesk Forge platform, this “one-of-a-kind partnership” makes it “easier than ever” for project managers, engineers, subcontractors, superintendents and other members of project teams to access UAS data, and use it in their day-to-day work.
Business Solutions
Business Solutions
Ontario launches Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network
Ontario, Canada has launched its Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN), which is located in Stratford, Ontario.
Among its many features, which include a Research and Development Partnership Fund, a Talent Development Program and a Central Hub, AVIN has a demonstration zone that is described as “among the first of its kind in Canada.” The demonstration zone will serve as a space for researchers to hone connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) technology, and test these vehicles in various every day, real-life traffic scenarios.
Premier Kathleen Wynne officially opened the AVIN Demonstration Zone on Nov. 8, and she thinks very highly about the future of this technology not only in Ontario, but across the globe.
Teams of "swarm systems integrators" to develop UAS swarm infrastructure for US military
In an effort to help the U.S. military in urban combat, two teams of “swarm systems integrators” will look to develop a UAS swarm infrastructure, using funding from a multi-million-dollar contract that is part of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Offensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program.
The goal of the program is “to empower … troops with technology to control scores of unmanned air and ground vehicles at a time.”
The two teams will be responsible for developing the system infrastructure and integrating the work of the “sprint” teams, which will focus on swarm tactics, swarm autonomy, human-swarm teaming, physical experimentation and virtual environments.
Measure announces new franchise location in Denver area
According to Unmanned Aerial Online, Measure, which provides UAS services for enterprise customers, has announced a new franchise location in Castle Rock, Colorado, which is in the Denver area.
The Castle Rock office will use UAS to provide infrastructure inspection services for businesses in the metropolitan area.
Congruex acquires UAV services company CCLD
A company called Congruex, which was established to build a nationwide platform that delivers a variety of services to broadband service providers and utility operators across the country, including end-to-end engineering, construction and maintenance services, has acquired an outside plant (OSP) telecommunications contracting firm called C.C.L.D. Technologies (CCLD).
Based in Buford, Georgia, CCLD operates across four lines of business, one of which is UAV services.
“We are eager to begin our partnership with Congruex to further accelerate our growth, industry capabilities and resulting market share,” says Brett Burke, Chief Executive Officer of CCLD.
ArdentMC launches UAS initiative to aid areas of Northern California damaged by wildfires
Reston, Virginia-based software development firm Ardent Management Consulting (ArdentMC) has announced the launch of a UAS initiative, which will result in the company offering up to 100 hours of free aid in areas of Northern California that have been devastated by wildfires.
During the two-week initiative, ArdentMC will utilize geographic information system (GIS) technology to help assess the damage caused by wildfires that have consumed much of Northern California.
AUVSI Announces LiquidPiston as Winner of Novus Unmanned 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 7, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
Florida's HART and others set to introduce self-driving shuttles to Hillsborough County
The entity responsible for providing public transportation service within Hillsborough County, Florida—the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)—has selected engineering services company Stantec to provide autonomous mobility services for the Marion Street Transitway, which will result in the “first continuously operated shared autonomous project in the United States that will function in an open environment on public roads with mixed traffic.”
The goal of the project is to document the safety benefits of this kind of service, while seeking to bring Automated Vehicles (AVs) forward within a Connected Vehicle (CV) environment.
Velodyne LiDAR Inc. to integrate its LiDAR sensors into BoE Systems' UAV fleet
Through a new partnership with Kansas City, Missouri-based BoE Systems, Velodyne LiDAR Inc. will integrate its VLP-16 Puck and Puck LITE 3D LiDAR sensors into BoE Systems’ UAV fleet for geospatial data collection and analysis.
The companies say that through this integration, BoE Systems can provide full 360-degree imaging of geography and equipment for industries that need quick, safe, and accurate aerial inspections, such as transportation, construction and agriculture, to name a few.
After collecting imaging data, BoE Systems processes that data, and works with customers for “tailored analysis and inspection reports,” which allows them to address immediate and future needs and compliance issues.
Kraken Robotic Systems partners with Avitas Systems to advance robotic subsea inspection technologies
During General Electric’s (GE) Mind + Machines event in San Francisco, California, it was announced that Kraken Robotics Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc., entered a strategic partnership with Avitas Systems, which is a GE Venture that advances the inspection services industry across various sectors through predictive data analytics, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Through the partnership, the two companies will integrate AUVs, acoustic and laser sensor technology and AI-based navigation software into unique subsea inspection systems for several industries, including oil and gas, offshore renewable energy, and shipping.