Technology
Technology
Sonardyne-led team demonstrates benefits of USVs/AUVs for long-endurance underwater navigation missions
A joint project led by Sonardyne International Ltd., with partners the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and L3Harris, has set “new standards in long-endurance underwater navigation and automated subsea positioning,” according to the entities.
One of the main goals of the two-year, £1.4 million Precise Positioning for Persistent Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (P3AUV) project was to integrate existing and emerging technologies to deliver a “step-change” in unmanned platform endurance and navigational precision.
The project also sought to use USVs to increase the use of autonomy in offshore survey positioning operations, which ultimately reduces risk to personnel, environmental impact and operating costs.
Altitude Angel to provide Netherlands' ANSP with its first nationwide UTM platform
Following an open and competitive tender process, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) technology provider Altitude Angel has been awarded the contract to provide Netherlands’ Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland (LVNL), with its first nationwide UTM platform.
Altitude Angel says that the technically advanced, nationwide, UTM platform that it is providing the Netherlands will serve as the foundation for the safe integration of UAS, helping to further increase the use of this technology in Dutch airspace for years to come.
Xpeng Motors equips autonomous vehicles with RTI's Connext DDS connectivity framework
Real-Time Innovations (RTI) has announced that its Connext DDS has been selected as the connectivity framework by smart mobility and electric vehicle (EV) company Xpeng Motors for its latest production model, the Xpeng P7 intelligent electric sedan.
RTI says that Xpeng Motors will be able to offer “highly reliable, robust and advanced” autonomous driving systems in its second generation electric vehicles using RTI Technology.
Starting Q2 of 2020, Xpeng Motors will begin delivering its P7 vehicles to customers, and in the process will become the first Chinese company to use Connext DDS in the production models of autonomous vehicles.
Terra Drone creates new subsidiary to provide UAS mapping and inspection services to underground mines
Japan’s Terra Drone Corporation has signed an investment agreement with Ontario, Canada-based Unmanned Aerial Services Incorporated (UAS Inc.) to form a new subsidiary in Canada called Terra Drone Mining. The new subsidiary will provide UAS mapping and inspection services to underground mines across the globe.
With this new investment from Terra Drone, Terra Drone Mining will be able to expand UAS Inc.’s business beyond the U.S. to cater to areas of “thriving underground mining operations” such as South/Central America, South Africa, Central Asia, Russia, and Australia.
University of North Dakota's UAS degree program celebrates 10-year anniversary
The University of North Dakota’s (UND) UAS degree program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
According to Al Palmer, the retired director of UND’s Aerospace UAS program, UND began planning its foray into UAS in 2005. To get “ahead of the coming UAS wave,” Ben Trapnell, associate professor of aviation, was tasked with creating an education program for UND Aerospace back in 2006.
Three years later in 2009, everyone was onboard with the program, which led to the State Board of Higher Education approving the program, and UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences becoming the first university to offer a degree program in UAS operations.
Plus.ai completes coast-to-coast commercial freight run with autonomous truck in less than three days
Self-driving truck technology company Plus.ai has announced that it successfully completed the first coast-to-coast commercial freight run with an autonomous truck on behalf of Land O’Lakes Inc.
Considered the first L4 U.S. cross-country commercial pilot, the hub-to-hub trip covered 2,800 miles from Tulare, California to Quakertown, Pennsylvania in less than three days, hauling a fully-loaded refrigerated trailer of perishable cargo.
UAV Turbines demonstrates Monarch Hybrid Range Extender for electrically powered medium-sized UAS
Microturbine technology developer UAV Turbines Inc. (UAVT) has announced the successful demonstration of its Monarch Hybrid Range Extender (HREX), which the company describes as a microturbine powered generator technology that extends the range of electrically powered medium-sized UAS.
With the HREX developmental system, the range of a number of different electrically powered UAS now in development can be extended, while at the same time providing the proven reliability of a gas turbine system.
Air Force Academy showcases UAS during multi-drone light show
To celebrate its rivalry with West Point, the Air Force Academy held a
EasyMile's autonomous vehicle on Karragarra Island the first ever driverless service to connect with a public ferry terminal
EasyMile has announced that its autonomous vehicle on Karragarra Island in Queensland is the first-ever driverless service to connect with a public ferry terminal.
This announcement comes just months after Australia's Redland City Council and Queensland, Australia's peak motoring body, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), announced Karragarra Island on Redlands Coast as the first location in Queensland to test a driverless bus.
