Geo-data specialist Fugro has announced that in August, it successfully completed the first deepwater AUV site survey for Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP).
The survey was completed using a dedicated geophysical survey vessel called the Fugro Equator and the Fugro ES-V AUV in water depths of 600 meters. There were no HSSE incidents during the operations.
According to Fugro, the survey results will be crucial for planning a safe drilling program, as they provide engineering and design studies with key inputs for pipeline routing and subsea structures in future deepwater field developments.
Technology
Technology
Waymo marks one year since launching public self-driving ride-hailing service
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 marked a year since Waymo launched its public self-driving ride-hailing service, Waymo One, in the Metro Phoenix area.
“We now have thousands of people using it in their everyday lives across the Metro Phoenix area and have enjoyed seeing how they rely on the Waymo Driver to get them where they need to be, whether that’s work, the grocery store, or a fun night out,” Waymo says.
Coca-Cola European Partners to use Einride's autonomous vehicle to transport goods in Sweden
To expand in digitalized distribution in its Swedish distribution network, Coca-Cola European Partners will begin using Einride’s autonomous, electric transport system with the launch of a commercial pilot at its facility in Jordbro outside Stockholm.
Through the pilot, Einride’s autonomous vehicle, known as the Einride Pod, will be introduced into a real transportation flow, and will be used to transport goods from Coca-Cola European Partners’ warehouse to food retailer Axfood’s warehouse in the same area.
SkySkopes announces spin off company for UAS-related oilfield operations
Professional drone services company SkySkopes has announced the launch of SkySkopes Oil & Gas LLC, which is a new spin off company for UAS-related oilfield operations.
Robotic Research granted permission to operate Olli autonomous shuttle in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Motor Vehicle Administration recently granted autonomy and robotic technologies provider Robotic Research LLC permission to operate Local Motors’ Olli autonomous shuttle between its two office locations in Clarksburg, Maryland.
The Olli shuttle is driven by Robotic Research’s AutoDrive technology.
After a thorough review of the technology with Montgomery County government, law enforcement, fire/EMS, and public transportation, MDOT granted Robotic Research a Highly-Automated Vehicle (HAV) permit for the Olli shuttle, which will allow the company to continue its research and testing of autonomous vehicle capabilities and technology directly on a half-mile stretch of public roadway in Montgomery County.
DJI joins Memphis UAS IPP team
The Memphis UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) team has announced that DJI has joined the Memphis IPP team at Memphis International Airport.
To explore the safety and efficiency benefits of small UAS applications at the Memphis International Airport, the Memphis IPP team is using DJI UAS for a variety of operations including for FedEx aircraft inspections, to deliver FedEx aircraft parts in day and night operations, and to provide airport perimeter security.
“DJI is excited to show how drone technology can improve the safety and efficiency of operations, even at an airport,” says Brendan Schulman, DJI vice president of Policy & Legal Affairs.
Robotic Skies selected to provide UAS maintenance support for Acecore Technologies' UAS
UAS designer and manufacturer Acecore Technologies has partnered with Robotic Skies Inc. to provide customers with full-service maintenance and field repair support for Acecore’s Neo and Zoe UAS.
According to Acecore, the certified repair stations that make up the Robotic Skies Service Center network “employ the quality, standards, and practices of manned aviation maintenance in the unmanned aviation market.” Robotic Skies provides several services, including routine and field maintenance, inspections, upgrades, and aircraft on ground (AOG) support.
SkyGrid approved as LAANC supplier
The FAA has approved SkyGrid, a Boeing, SparkCognition company based in Austin, Texas, as a supplier of Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) services.
As a UAS Service Supplier (USS) of LAANC, SkyGrid says that it will “accelerate its commitment to ensuring safe and secure integration” of UAS into the global airspace.
“LAANC integration is a key addition to the SkyGrid aerial operating system, which is focused on making UAV integration safer, more secure, and collaborative with regulators across the globe,” says Amir Husain, CEO of SkyGrid.
Aveox unveils Ultimate Torque line of brushless motors and stator/rotor sets
Aveox Inc., a developer of Brushless DC Motors, Controllers and Power Conversion Electronics, has launched its “Ultimate Torque” (UT) line of brushless motors and stator/rotor sets, which can be used for applications such as UAS propulsion and generation and robotics.
According to Aveox, the UT direct drive Torque Motors are characterized by very high motor constants (Kt ∕ ), low inertia and low weight. The company adds that proprietary designs created using Finite Element Analysis software have been optimized to deliver “high peak and continuous” torque while minimizing cogging torque and reducing weight.
Hydroid equips REMUS 600 UUV with HISAS 2040 module for customer
Hydroid Inc. has announced that it equipped a REMUS 600 UUV with the Kongsberg High-Resolution Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar (HISAS) 2040 for a customer.
According to Hydroid, the integration of the in-mission processing allows for the quick download of high-resolution images from the HISAS module once the vehicle returns from its mission.
“The integration is the first of its kind at Hydroid, allowing faster processing of data to shorten post-mission analysis timelines,” says Duane Fotheringham, president of Hydroid.
“We’re excited to offer this as an option to customers who have time-sensitive missions but also need the high-resolution data of the HISAS module.”
