After purchasing a UAS from Atlanta-based Sky Fire Consulting in April 2017, the Georgetown Police Department (GPD) in Georgetown, Kentucky has found a number of unique use cases for its UAS.
Among those use cases, the UAS has been especially helpful in tracking lost citizens and locating fleeing suspects and stolen vehicles.
The UAS, which shows streets using satellite maps, and is equipped with a camera, was purchased after a large number of vehicle break-ins were being reported. Thus far, it has helped the department detect suspects involved in the crimes.
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Technology
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service deploys new UAS for first time
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada recently deployed its new UAS for the first time to assist with the assessment of a fire and later, the detection of hot spots.
“With the drone’s help, the commander of the scene was better able to critically assess the dangers of this fire and direct the crews to target the fire in a more efficient manner,” explains Assistant Chief Jay Shaw.
“This is a great example of how our department is using technology to increase safety for our crews and also create better outcomes for citizens.”
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office sUAS program recognized for Project Lifesaver program
The Virginia Association of Counties has awarded the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program with a 2018 Achievement Award as a model local government program.
The LCSO was the first agency in Virginia, and just the sixth in the U.S., to have a small UAS equipped with a Project Lifesaver antenna. The Project Lifesaver program is an electronic-based locating system for people with medical conditions—such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism—who have a tendency to wander from home and get lost.
FiveAI to test autonomous cars in London starting next year
According to TechCrunch, FiveAI, which is a startup in the United Kingdom seeking to deliver a fully autonomous shared transport service for Europe’s cities, will conduct its first on-street trial in 2019.
The trial is aimed at commuters in the London outer boroughs of Bromley and Croydon, and will initially start with a 10-month “data gathering” exercise that includes five FiveAI vehicles—equipped with drivers—collecting information about road conditions, the movement of pedestrians and various vehicles, and other variables to help train its artificial intelligence platform.
Mobilicom's SkyHopper tech for UAS and robotics completes first year of activity
After launching in August 2017, Mobilicom Ltd.’s SkyHopper technology has completed its first year of activity.
A provider of “global mission-critical-communications” systems, Mobilicom describes SkyHopper as a “holistic solution” for commercial and industrial UAS and robotics.
In its first year of activity, SkyHopper was sold to, and successfully operated by, customers in 14 different countries, and integrated with 45 UAS manufacturers.
“I am proud to say that SkyHopper has exceeded its aggressive first-year goals plan, and evolved from concept to business success in only one year,” says Mobilicom’s CEO, Oren Elkayam.
Michigan Technological University set to open Maritime Autonomy Research Site
According to the Detroit News, Michigan Technological University is opening the Maritime Autonomy Research Site, which will give researchers a space to try out new technologies that would facilitate greater use of unmanned research and survey vessels.
Located on Lake Superior’s Portage Canal in the Upper Peninsula city, the Maritime Autonomy Research Site is the first freshwater testing spot of its kind in the world, according to officials.
A launch ceremony for the site was scheduled for Friday, August 10, and on the same day, a new organization called the Smart Ships Coalition was also scheduled to be announced.
First responders in Effingham County, Illinois use UAS to find runaway juvenile
First responder departments in Effingham County, Illinois recently used a UAS to find a runaway juvenile.
After the juvenile was spotted entering a cornfield, Fire Chief Joe Holomy flew the UAS above the field, and the youth was spotted and contacted. The juvenile was then retrieved by Effingham County Sheriff's deputies, and taken to a local hospital for observation.
According to Police Chief Jeff Fuesting, the UAS proved to be extremely valuable on this day, as it helped save time and reduced the risk of weather-related injuries to both the juvenile and first responders, since the temperatures outside the cornfield were in the 90s that day.
GA-ASI expanding presence at Grand Sky civil UAS-focused research and development park
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) will “significantly expand” its presence on Grand Sky, the first and only fully operational civil UAS-focused research and development park in the U.S.
Under the agreement, GA-ASI will expand its current leased space of 5.5 acres to 20 acres, all located along Grand Sky’s “beachfront,” which provides immediate access to Grand Forks Air Force Base’s 12,351-foot runway. Terms of the lease are in place for 10 years.
“This announcement is validation of the value Grand Sky provides to Grand Forks and the industry as a whole,” says Thomas Swoyer, Jr., president of Grand Sky Development Company.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, an Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company, has successfully demonstrated a helicopter UAS in the presence of its Board of Directors. During the 10-minute flight, a variety of the helicopter’s capabilities were demonstrated, including Attitude Control Attitude Hold (ACAH) mode, Position Control, and low speed flight in forward, backward and sideward directions. (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
Embry-Riddle uses UAS as part of efforts to restore and preserve living shorelines
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University recently flew its UAS along the shorelines and above the water at Menard-May Park in Edgewater, Florida to capture high-resolution images and video of this area of Mosquito Lagoon, which is part of the Indian River Lagoon system.
Organized and flown by faculty, staff and students from Embry-Riddle’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science program, this aerial reconnaissance survey supports the Riverside Conservancy, which is a non-profit group dedicated to “restoring and preserving living shorelines in southeast Volusia County.”