Espen Olsen’s job is a little different from that of most police officers.
He’s the police chief inspector for the Governor of Svalbard’s office and is in charge of its new drone program. He has begun using small drones in this Norwegian archipelago, situated roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole.
Drones have been used in the Arctic for several years, including Aeryon Scouts, Insitu ScanEagles and AeroVironment Pumas, which have aided in studying sea ice, monitoring wildlife and keeping an eye on climate change. Olsen probably has the most unique uses for his collection of DJI drones, however, which includes an older Phantom 3, two Mavic Pros and a Matrice.
Technology
Technology
From Unmanned Systems Magazine: Cherokee Nation Businesses sees drone age full of opportunities
Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), through its team of unmanned systems operating companies, provides government customers with actionable information through advanced data analytics.
In the iPhone age, the miniaturization of components and sensors have made every individual a globally connected data source, and unmanned aircraft systems have become an extension of that network by putting sophisticated payloads on ever-smaller platforms flying in otherwise unnavigable areas. With over 100,000 Part 107-certified pilots utilizing airspace to fly more than one million registered UAS, we are witnessing a growth in aviation that hasn’t been seen since the first golden age of aviation.
Forest Service seeks info on drones to create prescribed burns
The U.S. Forest Service is requesting information from industry about using drones to create controlled burns to help fight forest fires.
In a year when fires have raged out of control in the West, particularly California, the Forest Service has posted a request for information about how drones could create controlled or prescribed burns, also known as hazard reduction burning, to reduce the amount of fuel available to a fire.
The RFI, which has a response date of Jan. 25, may also include a live demonstration of an “aerial ignition system,” according to an RFI posted on Federal Business Opportunities. Such a demonstration could occur between February and May 2019.
Postmates introduces Serve, its robotic delivery device that it built from the ground up
On-demand delivery company Postmates has introduced the newest member of its fleet, Serve, which the company claims is the first robotic delivery device created from the ground up by an on-demand delivery company.
Postmates says that after seven years and hundreds of millions of deliveries, it realized that it was in a unique position to create its very own autonomous delivery vehicle, which combines a patented Socially-Aware-Navigation system with the company’s proprietary Postmates software.
NUAIR Alliance hosts first official UTM kick off meeting with partners
From Dec. 11 to 12, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR Alliance) hosted its first official unmanned traffic management (UTM) kick off meeting with partners in Syracuse.
According to the NUAIR Alliance, the goals of the meeting were to establish a joint roadmap to advance research and development opportunities, identify and resolve technical issues, and lay the framework for a detailed implementation plan to build an operational beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UTM system.
Brain Corp to use NVIDIA Jetson platform for autonomous commercial vacuum cleaner
For its latest initiative—an autonomous commercial vacuum cleaner known as “Whiz” from SoftBank Robotics—Brain Corp will use the NVIDIA Jetson platform, the company has announced.
Whiz will be powered by Brain Corp's proprietary operating system, BrainOS, which provides machines with autonomous navigation and data collection capabilities, all tied into a cloud-based reporting system.
Whiz is designed specifically for commercial spaces such as retail and office environments. It will be sold to the Japanese market starting next year.
California's Monterey County Sheriff's Office uses UAS to locate and arrest armed suspect
On Sunday, Dec. 9, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in California used its UAS to locate an armed suspect that had broken into the historical buildings at the Point Sur Lighthouse in Monterey, California the night of Saturday, Dec. 8.
Using its UAS, MCSO deputies directed California State Park Rangers to the suspect’s location, where he was subsequently arrested.
The sheriff’s office notes that this situation was dangerous for several reasons, including the steep terrain of the location, the involvement of a firearm, and the unknown intent of the suspect.
With all of these factors, the UAS proved to be a beneficial option for the sheriff’s office.
Local Motors announces winners of first fleet challenge; second challenge kicks off
Local Motors by LM Industries Group Inc. has selected entities in Phoenix, Arizona and Sacramento, California as the winning entries for its first fleet challenge for its autonomous shuttle known as Olli.
According to Local Motors, the “first-of-its-kind global fleet challenge” invites municipalities, campuses and designated districts to propose a short-term, local use for Local Motors' self-driving, electric shuttles.
An Olli fleet is deployed to a series of select locations after the entries are evaluated and selected by a panel of esteemed judges.
