The University of Alberta’s Centre for Smart Transportation (CST) is testing a driverless electric shuttle on campus to evaluate how it performs in a cold climate.
Known as ELA, the electric autonomous vehicle operates without a driver, is capable of carrying 12 passengers, and drives at speeds up to 12 kilometers (approximately 7.5 miles) per hour.
Designed to operate on existing city infrastructure, the shuttle is currently operating on the University of Alberta South Campus, giving Edmonton residents the opportunity to participate in the tests. The area where the vehicle is operating has been fitted with special signs for the shuttle to “read,” as well as digital signaling equipment that allow the vehicle to understand its environment.
Technology
Technology
TALSA PAC offers Marines in Pacific region a place to train with small UAS
On Nov. 5, a new small UAS training facility called the Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA) Pacific (PAC) opened for Marines stationed in the Pacific region.
TALSA PAC is located at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and managed by the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), located in Maryland.
TALSA PAC is scheduled to start a full curriculum in Spring 2019.
“As Marine units continue to increase their demand for small UAS, it was critical that we stand up a TALSA in the Pacific,” says Col. John Neville, PMA-263 program manager who oversees the SUAS procurement program and TALSAs.
Schiebel awarded maritime surveillance service provision contract for its Camcopter S-100 UAS
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has awarded the maritime surveillance service provision contract to Schiebel for its Camcopter S-100 UAS.
Schiebel says that a number of factors led to the Camcopter being selected for this contract, including the Camcopter's service record in the maritime domain, and its maritime surveillance expertise. The Camcopter’s payload capabilities and VTOL abilities from shore and from vessels were also contributing factors for its selection, Schiebel notes.
Audi, Airbus and Italdesign test flying taxi concept consisting of self-driving electric car and passenger UAS
During Drone Week in Amsterdam, Audi, Airbus and Italdesign tested a flying and driving prototype of “Pop.Up Next,” which the companies describe as an “innovative concept for a flying taxi” that combines a self-driving electric car with a passenger UAS.
During the first public test flight, the flight module accurately placed a passenger capsule on the ground module, which then autonomously drove from the test grounds.
The companies say that this concept is still a 1:4 scale model, but they believe that in the near future, a convenient and efficient flying taxi service in large cities—in multi-modal operation, in the air and on the road—could be used by Audi customers, allowing them to enjoy their leisure time, relax, or work, all without having to change vehicles.
Mobile Recon Systems' Dauntless UAS designed to lift more than twice its weight
Mobile Recon Systems has introduced the Dauntless UAS, which is designed to lift more than its own weight.
According to Mobile Recon Systems, the UAS is designed to set new records for what multi-rotor UAS can carry. Weighing in at 78 pounds, the Dauntless UAS has showcased an ability to lift an additional payload of 100 pounds as a tethered quadcopter.
As an octocopter, with a generator-powered flight time of several hours, the UAS is designed to lift more than 200 pounds.
ALTI UAS launches new UAS for search and rescue operations
UAS developer and manufacturing company ALTI UAS has launched the ALTI Transition SAR ‘Orange’, which is a search and rescue version of the company’s ALTI Transition VTOL UAS.
Based in the coastal town of Knysna, South Africa, ALTI UAS notes that the ALTI Transition SAR ‘Orange’ is being launched following some of the worst fires in South African history, which recently effected the area.
Designed for search and rescue missions, the new ALTI Transition SAR ‘Orange’ is a specific version of the ALTI Transition UAS, the company explains. Described as compact, rapid, smart, and advanced, the UAS includes a unique vibration damping mount for the combustion engine, allowing it to fly up to 12 hours per flight, with a range of 900 kilometers.
Volvo Trucks to provide mine in Norway with autonomous transportation option
Volvo Trucks has signed an agreement with Norwegian quarry Brønnøy Kalk AS to provide its first commercial autonomous option, which will be used to transport limestone from an open pit mine to a nearby port.
Through the agreement, six autonomous Volvo FH trucks will transport limestone on a five kilometer stretch through tunnels between the mine itself and the crusher.
This strategy has been successfully tested and will continue to be tested throughout the rest of the year. The goal is for the solution to be fully operational by the end of 2019.
DARPA demonstrates highly autonomous UAS during test series
DARPA’s Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) program recently demonstrated the ability of CODE-equipped UAS to adapt and respond to unexpected threats in an anti-access area denial (A2AD) environment.
During the test series at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the UAS successfully completed a number of tasks, including efficiently sharing information, cooperatively planning and allocating mission objectives, making coordinated tactical decisions, and collaboratively reacting to a dynamic, high-threat environment with minimal communication.
PAE ISR's Resolute Eagle UAS receives Group 3 Interim Flight Clearance
PAE ISR has announced that on Nov. 13, it received a Group 3 Interim Flight Clearance for its Resolute Eagle vertical takeoff and landing UAS from the Naval Air System Command in Maryland.
PAE ISR was one of four prime awards on the five-year, $1.73 billion NAVAIR indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support services for land and maritime-based UAS.
The company notes that the IFC verifies the Resolute Eagle's airworthiness in accordance with the NAVAIR IDIQ requirements.
Ocean Infinity uses AUVs to locate missing ARA San Juan
Just over a year after the ARA San Juan went missing, Ocean Infinity found the Argentine Navy submarine on Nov. 17 using its AUVs.
According to Ocean Infinity, the submarine was found in a ravine in 920 meters of water, approximately 600 kilometers east of Comodoro Rivadavia in the Atlantic Ocean.
“Our thoughts are with the many families affected by this terrible tragedy. We sincerely hope that locating the resting place of the ARA San Juan will be of some comfort to them at what must be a profoundly difficult time,” Ocean Infinity’s CEO Oliver Plunkett said after the ARA San Juan was found.