This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
As part of an automated transportation trial in spring 2021, the latest version of Local Motors’ Olli driverless shuttles will begin operating in the city of Toronto next year. Expected to last six to 12 months, the test run will measure how well the autonomous vehicles will bolster Toronto’s mass transit system. (Engadget)
Defense
Defense
Weekend Roundup: October 2, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Einride has raised an additional $10 million in venture capital funding. The company believes the funding will be enough to get it to next year, when it can hopefully seek out a bigger round. (VentureBeat)
AirMap awarded contract to provide UTM service to USAF's Agility Prime program
AirMap has been awarded a contract to provide UAS traffic management (UTM) services to the United States Air Force’s (USAF) Agility Prime program.
In preparation for scaling of advanced air mobility operations, the USAF will use AirMap’s UTM platform to support testing of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
“AirMap is proud to partner with the USAF to provide industry-leading UTM services for advanced air mobility operations,” says Larry Berkin, GM of the AirMap Defense Group, an AirMap business unit focused on providing mission-critical technologies to the US Department of Defense.
Persistent Systems unveils new Rugged Display and Controller for MPU5 MANET device
Last week, Persistent Systems unveiled the new Rugged Display and Controller (RDC) for the MPU5 mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) device.
The purpose built RDC is an alternative to third-party consumer Android phones used with the MPU5, offering improved ruggedness, ergonomics, and enterprise-class management in one of the few Android End User Devices (EUD) made in America.
“When you plug in the RDC, you instantly have a complete situational awareness capability,” says Brian Soles, Persistent’s vice president of Business Development.
LiquidPiston awarded SBIR Phase I grant to develop X-Engine for UAS
The U.S. Army has awarded LiquidPiston Inc., a developer of advanced rotary internal combustion engines for diesel and jet fuels, a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant to develop its X-Engine as a hybrid-electric propulsion platform for UAS.
During a parallel hybrid UAV demonstration using jet fuel, LiquidPiston successfully showcased its X-Engine powered propulsion platform.
Parrot selected to participate in Blue sUAS program
Parrot has been selected to participate in the Blue sUAS (small UAS) program by the U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
The Blue sUAS program is a spin-off of the Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program launched by the Army and DIU in April 2019. The drone development effort under the Blue sUAS was organized in response to increased government-wide demand for secure and ultraportable drones that could be used for various military and federal applications.
Parrot is currently one of two finalists of the SRR project. A production-ready SRR drone is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year.
Alion to provide Autonomy and Navigation Technology for U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a $20 million task order from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, with a 60-month period of performance to provide Autonomy and Navigation Technology (ANT) Development.
“Alion has some of the greatest engineering and technology minds in industry partnering side-by-side with our customers to face challenging issues and create technologies, solutions and advancements in innovation to keep our nation ahead,” says Eric Wright, Alion’s vice president of the Integrated Solutions Operation within the Advanced Technology Group.
Weekend Roundup: August 28, 2020
This Week (and last week) in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
On Aug. 18, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Shaneka Shaw, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron-1 (VMU-1), a weapons and tactics instructor (WTI), graduated from the MQ-9 Basic and Requalification/Transition Course 2 class 20-03, and became the first Black female Marine qualified to fly MQ-9 Reapers at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Shaw spent 55 training days learning to fly the MQ-9 at Holloman. (Air Education and Training Command)
Swiss Army contracts Lockheed Martin for fleet of Indago 3 small UAS
In Switzerland, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (Armasuisse)—a federal agency of the Swiss Confederation—has contracted Lockheed Martin for a fleet of Indago 3 small UAS, with options for spares, training and tech support and additional systems for the Swiss Army.
The first phase includes manufacturing development to optimize the Indago 3’s configuration to meet Swiss Army requirements, which will include the integration of a transponder for sense and avoid; installation of the Silvus Technologies’ radio; and implementation of Lockheed Martin CDL Systems’ VCSi Touch SUAS Ground Control System software that includes access to Swiss maps, including digital terrain elevation data (DTED), and Geofencing.
Weekend Roundup: July 31, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Canada’s civil aviation authority, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), has issues a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) to EHang for its EHang 216 autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV). In addition to this announcement, EHang has also announced plans to build a new AAV production facility in Yunfu city in Guangdong, China.
