Wing, a subsidiary of Google’s parent corporation Alphabet, has launched a drone delivery service in North Canberra, Australia.
Through Wing’s service, customers can order a variety of items on Wing’s mobile app, and have them delivered directly to their homes via UAS in minutes.
Technology
Technology
RightHand Robotics announces new autonomous piece-picking platform
RightHand Robotics, a provider of autonomous robotic piece-picking technologies, has released its next-generation, integrated software and hardware product platform, RightPick2.
RightPick2 is responsible for the core task of picking and placing individual items as part of a wide range of warehouse workflows and processes. The platform works in conjunction with logistics facility employees and existing manual or automated systems, to provide businesses with a “vital productivity boost as part of a lean and highly efficient material handling process,” RightHand Robotics says.
The latest generation of RightHand Robotics’ RightPick platform, RightPick2 combines new skills based on an AI-enabled vision and motion control software with deep learning known as RightPick.AI.
Triangle UAS launches UAS-mounted real-time video streaming system
During the 2019 Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo, a North Carolina-based UAS services and technology provider called Triangle UAS LLC launched its UAS-mounted real-time video streaming system, which is designed to enhance situational awareness during disaster/accident response, search and rescue, and law enforcement events.
According to Triangle UAS, the streaming system will give first responders, public safety officials, and smart cities a “cost-effective, easy-to-use method” of providing real-time video streaming from an aerial UAS to remote operators or an emergency operations center through a secure internet connection.
DJI partners with Los Angeles Fire Department to advance UAS tech for public safety purposes
In an effort to create, test and deploy its UAS technology as an emergency response and preparedness tool, DJI has announced a Solution Development Partnership with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Through the partnership, DJI will provide the LAFD with access to new technologies, training and support, so that the agency can utilize UAS technology as part of its operations.
Miami University using UAS to conduct building inspections on campus
The physical facilities department at Miami University in Ohio is using UAS to inspect the roofs and gutters of some buildings on campus.
The technology is being used thanks to a Lean Project, which examined how UAS could be used on campus to increase efficiency.
One idea was to use the technology for visual inspections of roofs, gutters, chimneys and cupolas. Usually, a lift would be used to allow employees and contractors to conduct inspections and repairs.
To conduct these UAS operations, Miami chose a Boise, Idaho drone company called Rapid Aerial as its time and materials contractor for drone services. The company inspected four academic buildings that are difficult to access due to their height and location.
Volkswagen testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg, Germany
For the first time, Volkswagen is testing Level 4 autonomous driving in real driving conditions in a major German city.
Volkswagen Group Research is testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg, Germany. Five of the company's e-Golf vehicles—each equipped with 11 laser scanners, seven radars and 14 cameras—will drive on a three-kilometer section of the digital test bed for automated and connected driving in the city.
The results of the test drives will be continuously evaluated, taking full account all data protection rules. The results will be incorporated in the Group’s other research projects on automated driving, and will test customer-centric services and optimize individual transport.
SAE International, Ford, GM and Toyota form Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium
SAE International, Ford, General Motors (GM) and Toyota have announced the formation of the Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC), which will work to safely advance testing, pre-competitive development and deployment of SAE Level 4 and 5 automated vehicles.
The AVSC will provide a safety framework that will foster the responsible evolution of autonomous technology before broad development, the entities say. They add that ultimately, the work will “inform and accelerate the development of industry standards” for autonomous vehicles (AVs), and harmonize with the efforts of other consortia and standards bodies throughout the world.
UC Davis welcomes automated shuttle to its West Village neighborhood
An automated, all-electric shuttle has begun operating in the West Village neighborhood of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis).
A product of Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation’s (SAIC) Innovation Center, the shuttle is being demonstrated around a defined loop of the West Village community as part of an agreement between SAIC and UC Davis.
Expected to take place through June 1, the demonstration will allow researchers with the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis) and its China Center for Energy and Transportation to conduct perceptional and behavioral surveys among residents and shuttle riders at no cost to UC Davis.
