Wing, a subsidiary of Google’s parent corporation Alphabet, has announced that it will soon begin using UAS to deliver various items such as fresh bread, hot coffee and food items directly to homes in Queensland, Australia in just minutes.
The service will start in Logan, which is one of Australia’s fastest growing communities and home to the eighth largest population in Australia. Wing attributes several factors to what made Logan attractive for this service.
“One of the things we’ve learned from our first several thousand deliveries in Australia is that families with young children seem to particularly enjoy our service,” Wing says.
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SenseFly combining eBee X UAS with intelligent photogrammetry software from Agisoft Metashape for limited time
SenseFly has announced a limited-time offer that combines the company’s senseFly eBee X UAS and its suite of cameras with the intelligent photogrammetry software from Agisoft Metashape.
Grand Sky to purchase Firebird aircraft from Northrop Grumman
Grand Sky Development Company LLC (Grand Sky) has announced that it will purchase Northrup Grumman’s optionally piloted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft system, Firebird.
Designed to provide critical ISR capability to meet the mission needs of customers, Firebird is available in manned, autonomous and optionally piloted configurations.
“We are excited to bring Firebird to Grand Sky to utilize its long-endurance and variable payload capabilities for commercial customers,” says Grand Sky Development Co. President Thomas Swoyer Jr.
GA-ASI marks 25th anniversary of Predator A UAS
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA‑ASI) recently marked the 25th anniversary of its Predator A UAS, which completed its first flight in July 1994, and made its operational debut the following year.
More than 320 Predator As have been delivered to customers across the world in support of global security. The product line remained in production until 2011.
Predator As have flown almost 141,000 missions, and have surpassed two million flight hours. GA-ASI notes that almost all of those hours were flown in support of combat missions.
“With innovation in mind, we have always looked for ways to challenge the industry standard,” says Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI.
DroneDeploy launches single platform for all UAS operations
DroneDeploy has launched a single platform for all UAS operations.
The new product release includes several features, including: Drone Operations Management; Workflow Integrations; Inspection with Manual Flight; Drone Academy and Earthworks. A thorough analysis of the new features can be found here.
“Today's product launch is a reflection of the demand from our customers for a complete enterprise-grade drone operating system,” says DroneDeploy chief executive officer and co-founder Mike Winn.
Involi, AirMap developing pre-integrated UTM and Air Traffic Awareness platform
Involi, a provider of air traffic data for UAS, is partnering with AirMap to develop a pre-integrated UTM and Air Traffic Awareness platform for safe, efficient, and scalable UAS operations.
By combining its low-altitude air traffic data service with AirMap’s drone traffic management platform, Involi says that the companies can facilitate safe, complex, and autonomous UAS applications such as drone delivery, large-scale agriculture support, surveying and mapping.
“It was a natural progression for Involi and AirMap to formalize their ongoing technical integration,” says Involi CEO and co-founder Manu Lubrano.
Task force interim report on drone incursions at airports calls for remote ID, agency-industry cooperation
The Blue Ribbon Task Force of UAS Mitigation at Airports, announced at AUVSI's Xponential trade show this year, has released an interim report on its work and says the remote identification of drones is a critical first step to airport security.
Victoria Police establishes Drone Unit
Australia’s Victoria Police has established a new Drone Unit, which will provide the agency with the ability to use UAS for various tasks across the state.
The central point for the agency’s UAS services will be the police aviation unit of the Victoria Police, the Police Air Wing. Police Air Wing will manage the UAS, and provide training to other units.
The Drone Unit will look to “progressively” train officers from specialist units like the Operations Response Unit, as well as the Search and Rescue unit. The Drone Unit will also train regional officers so that they can provide their own localized basic UAS services.
Woolpert receives approval from PennDOT to use UAS for state projects
International architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) firm Woolpert has become the first provider to receive approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to use UAS for state projects.
On July 2, Woolpert had surveying, mapping and geospatial professionals complete PennDOT's UAS training, which is part of the agency’s certification process. UAS operators are also required to obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA.