ParaZero Technologies Ltd has announced the release of the SafeAir Phantom System to the market for sale on its website.
Described as a smart parachute system, the SafeAir Phantom System, which is ASTM compliant, monitors UAS flight in real time, identifies critical failures, and autonomously triggers a parachute, a flight termination system and an audio-warning buzzer.
Over the last year and a half, ParaZero has worked with several entities including the FAA and DJI to create a standard for small UAS parachutes that would enable flight over people.
Released in Sept. 2018, the standard (ASTM F3322-18) defines the requirements for the design, manufacturing and testing of small UAS parachute systems.
Technology
Technology
Aurrigo plans to showcase how driverless pods can help those with disabilities
An autonomous vehicle company in England called Aurrigo will soon launch a six-month trial to demonstrate how driverless pods can help improve the mobility and independence of people that have health conditions and disabilities.
Considered the first trial of its kind in the world, the trial will involve blind veterans in Brighton, England that are participating in an exercise that explores possible ‘first and last mile’ transport options.
Aurrigo has partnered with Blind Veterans UK for the trial, which is expected to start in April. The company expects to obtain valuable real-life experiences that it can use to improve the technology going forward.
Intelligent Energy launches Power Path Module for UAS
Intelligent Energy has launched its latest product, the Power Path Module (PPM), which allows customers to double the power output from Intelligent Energy’s UAS Fuel Cell Power Modules (FCPMs).
A small unit designed to facilitate ‘plug and play,’ linking two of Intelligent Energy’s FCPMs in series, the PPM gives customers the ability to fly larger UAS with heavier payloads.
Intelligent Energy says that with the PPM connecting the FCPMs in series, two 650 watt modules will provide 1.3 kilowatts of continuous power, and two 800 watt modules will provide 1.6 kilowatts.
From Unmanned Systems Magazine: VR training offers cost savings, safety benefits
When Amir Rubin was first exposed to virtual reality in 1994, the graphics were primitive at best. The device, if one could call it that, was large, cumbersome, and involved an unruly nest of cables and wires.
Still, the engineer and former soldier could not help but react enthusiastically to the potential of the technology he witnessed.
“It was very complex, and lower quality than anything [most people today] have seen,” says Rubin.
Nevertheless, he describes himself as “hooked” as soon as he put the headset on.
412th Test Wing's Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force conducts first autonomy flight test
From Feb. 26 to 28, the 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force (ET CTF) conducted its first autonomy flight test.
During the test, the team collected data on the Testing of Autonomy in Complex Environments (TACE) system, which was developed by Johns Hopkins University.
According to Capt. Riley Livermore, 412th Test Wing ET CTF Autonomy lead, the TACE system is test middleware that sits between an autonomy/artificial intelligence computer and an aircraft’s autopilot. The system monitors the commands being sent from the autonomy to the autopilot, and then sends back the aircraft state information such as position, speed and orientation to the autonomy.
XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator successfully completes first flight
On March 5, a long-range, high subsonic UAS called the XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator completed its inaugural flight at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
Developed for runway independence, the UAS performed as expected, completing 76 minutes of flight time.
“XQ-58A is the first example of a class of UAV that is defined by low procurement and operating costs while providing game changing combat capability,” says Doug Szczublewski, AFRL’s XQ-58A program manager.
The XQ-58A is a result of a collaborative effort between the Air Force Research Laboratory and Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Black Sage Technologies selects Echodyne's EchoGuard for counter UAS applications
Black Sage Technologies Inc. has selected Echodyne’s security radar, EchoGuard, as the preferred radar sensor for mid-range counter UAS security technologies.
With Echodyne’s MESA technology, a small ESA radar is created with high-fidelity data output for security integrators that require excellent range, detection and tracking accuracy, and consistent sensor performance.
The companies note that Echodyne’s MESA technology delivers a high-performance radar in a compact, solid-state, commercially-priced format for security integrators that deliver multi-sensor ground and airspace security technologies for industry, government, and defense.