This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
The FAA recently awarded a $1.6 million contract to advance unmanned traffic management (UTM) at the New York UAS Test Site. A team of five commercial companies—led by CAL Analytics—will develop a single, integrated contingency management platform (CMP) for UAS integration. (NUAIR)
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous Vehicles
ThayerMahan to use new financing to accelerate growth, expand operations and R&D
Maritime technology company ThayerMahan Inc. has closed on $10 million of new financing from AE Industrial Partners Structured Solutions I, LP (AEI Structured Solutions), which is an affiliate of private equity firm AE Industrial Partners, LP (AEI).
ThayerMahan will use the capital to accelerate growth through acquisitions and expand operations and research and development.
“AEI is the right partner for ThayerMahan at this stage in our development.” says Mike Connor, ThayerMahan's co-founder and CEO, and retired Vice Admiral of the US Navy.
Weekend Roundup: May 1, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is working with stakeholders across various communities to study challenging, dynamic scenarios involving automated driving systems. The collaborative team is also examining ways to facilitate communications between these systems and their supporting physical infrastructure. (Virginia Tech Daily)
EasyMile, Velodyne Lidar announce three-year agreement to enhance autonomous shuttles
EasyMile and Velodyne Lidar Inc. announced a three-year agreement on Tuesday, April 28.
EasyMile equips its EZ10 autonomous passenger shuttles with Velodyne lidar sensors, which are optimized for outstanding indoor and outdoor performance, allowing for operations in various light conditions. The sensors can accurately detect a variety of objects thanks to a combination of high-resolution 3D perception with a broad vertical field of view.
For safe and efficient navigation on roadways, EasyMile will enhance its EZ10 shuttle fleet with Velodyne’s sensors.
Imagry, AutonomouStuff partner to provide autonomous vehicle developers with mapless technology
Known for its mapless driving platform, autonomous vehicle software developer Imagry has partnered with AutonomouStuff, which will result in Imagry's technology being included in AutonomouStuff's portfolio of autonomy-enabling technologies for resale across the world.
Imagry will provide its efficient, scalable, and reliable mapless technology to AutonomouStuff customers looking to avoid the limitations of HD Mapping when developing and deploying their own autonomous technologies.
“The Imagry platform sets itself apart through an innovative approach to one of the most complex aspects of automated driving,” says Craig Johnson, senior autonomy product manager at AutonomouStuff.
Einride, Lidl continue working towards automated transport in Sweden
As part of the next step of a long-term partnership that dates back to 2017, Einride has announced that it will supply electric trucks to supermarket company Lidl this year to transform its supply chain to be emissions-free.
The companies are seeking to electrify and automate deliveries to Lidl locations in Sweden. The transformation to a zero-emissions transport network will take place in stages. Electrification will be the main focus in the short term, with automation being the focus in the next phase.
“At Lidl, we intend to be the industry leader for sustainable and completely fossil-free transport by 2025,” says Carl Ceder, Logistics Manager of Lidl Sweden.
Weekend Roundup: April 24, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
The University of North Florida College of Computing, Engineering and Construction has been awarded a grant to research the use of autonomous robotics for agriculture in Northeast Florida. The research grant will focus on using a multi-robot system to securely and efficiently collect agricultural information. (University of North Florida)
Weekend Roundup: April 17, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Oceanographers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) recently uncovered a hidden Arctic eddy using an autonomous glider. Eddies are circular movements of water that have broken off from an ocean current. (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Weekend Roundup: April 10, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
On April 7, the Arcturus UAV JUMP 20 underwent its first soldier-operated flight in a capabilities assessment. Arcturus is the first candidate in the running to replace the Army’s RQ-7 Shadow UAS. (Defense News)
Kraken Robotics, Greensea Systems partner to 'rapidly advance the capabilities of marine robotics'
Kraken Robotics Inc. has entered into a partnership agreement with Greensea Systems Inc., which is known for its open architecture robotic platform called OPENSEA.
Under the agreement, Greensea will support development, integration, and testing work with Kraken across several of the company's technology platforms.
“The partnership we have signed is very significant. It is a relationship formed between the most disruptive, agile, and aggressive technology developers in the industry,” says Ben Kinnaman, CEO of Greensea.
