On Nov. 8, electric services company Ameren Corp., along with Black & Veatch and Collins Aerospace, conducted a non-stop, 60-mile beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS flight to inspect Ameren’s transmission lines.
With thousands of miles of high-voltage lines, Ameren wanted a “better and safer” way to monitor its assets spread over rural territories beyond manual or helicopter inspections.
The companies say that the successful BVLOS flight showed the promise that UAS could have when it comes to conducting more efficient monitoring of expansive utility assets, especially in remote rural stretches.
IHP
IHP
Cape partners with Consortiq to offer best-in-class UAS training and management consulting services to its customers
Cape, which builds software that unlocks the “true potential of drones,” has partnered with Consortiq to provide its customers access to best-in-class UAS training and management consulting services.
One of just three commercial companies certified to deliver training for AUVSI’s Top Operator Program (TOP), Consortiq was also awarded first place in the Training & Education Organization category during AUVSI’s inaugural Xcellence Awards earlier this year.
AeroVironment using its UAS to assess environmental impact of Woolsey wildfire in California
In an effort to help assess the environmental impact of the Woolsey wildfire in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area of Southern California, AeroVironment is offering its UAS services to support the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program.
AeroVironment Commercial Information Solutions Unmanned Aircraft Systems flight operations and Geographic Information Science teams have launched a comprehensive UAS-based aerial imaging and environmental impact study to gauge fire damage in key areas of the park. The aerial imagery data collected will be used for a variety of purposes, including to quantify oak tree mortality and vegetation stress, and to document the dramatic changes in park visitor experience.
May Mobility selected to deliver autonomous transit pilot to Rhode Island
After a competitive request-for-proposals process that started earlier this year, May Mobility has been selected by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to deliver a “limited and controlled automated vehicle service” to help fill a transportation gap between downtown Providence and Olneyville.
While the service is in operation, RIDOT will seek to get a better understanding of the potential of new technology to improve mobility options for residents in the state, by testing and researching a variety of factors relating to the service.
The service will be available and free to the public for a year.
AgEagle Aerial Systems signs specialty crop producer to its new sustainability platform and UAS leasing program
UAS imagery and data analytics provider AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. has signed a specialty crop producer, packager, and supplier in North America to its new sustainability platform and UAS leasing program for next year’s crop season.
Under the agreement, AgEagle will provide the customer with access to UAS equipped with sensors for the growing season, along with access to data connected services for farms covering thousands of acres across the United States.
In-depth data analytics at the field level will also be provided, thanks to AgEagle also establishing a network of soil moisture monitoring devices with rain gauges and solar sensors.
TALSA PAC offers Marines in Pacific region a place to train with small UAS
On Nov. 5, a new small UAS training facility called the Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA) Pacific (PAC) opened for Marines stationed in the Pacific region.
TALSA PAC is located at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and managed by the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), located in Maryland.
TALSA PAC is scheduled to start a full curriculum in Spring 2019.
“As Marine units continue to increase their demand for small UAS, it was critical that we stand up a TALSA in the Pacific,” says Col. John Neville, PMA-263 program manager who oversees the SUAS procurement program and TALSAs.
Audi, Airbus and Italdesign test flying taxi concept consisting of self-driving electric car and passenger UAS
During Drone Week in Amsterdam, Audi, Airbus and Italdesign tested a flying and driving prototype of “Pop.Up Next,” which the companies describe as an “innovative concept for a flying taxi” that combines a self-driving electric car with a passenger UAS.
During the first public test flight, the flight module accurately placed a passenger capsule on the ground module, which then autonomously drove from the test grounds.
The companies say that this concept is still a 1:4 scale model, but they believe that in the near future, a convenient and efficient flying taxi service in large cities—in multi-modal operation, in the air and on the road—could be used by Audi customers, allowing them to enjoy their leisure time, relax, or work, all without having to change vehicles.
ALTI UAS launches new UAS for search and rescue operations
UAS developer and manufacturing company ALTI UAS has launched the ALTI Transition SAR ‘Orange’, which is a search and rescue version of the company’s ALTI Transition VTOL UAS.
Based in the coastal town of Knysna, South Africa, ALTI UAS notes that the ALTI Transition SAR ‘Orange’ is being launched following some of the worst fires in South African history, which recently effected the area.
Designed for search and rescue missions, the new ALTI Transition SAR ‘Orange’ is a specific version of the ALTI Transition UAS, the company explains. Described as compact, rapid, smart, and advanced, the UAS includes a unique vibration damping mount for the combustion engine, allowing it to fly up to 12 hours per flight, with a range of 900 kilometers.
Ocean Infinity uses AUVs to locate missing ARA San Juan
Just over a year after the ARA San Juan went missing, Ocean Infinity found the Argentine Navy submarine on Nov. 17 using its AUVs.
According to Ocean Infinity, the submarine was found in a ravine in 920 meters of water, approximately 600 kilometers east of Comodoro Rivadavia in the Atlantic Ocean.
“Our thoughts are with the many families affected by this terrible tragedy. We sincerely hope that locating the resting place of the ARA San Juan will be of some comfort to them at what must be a profoundly difficult time,” Ocean Infinity’s CEO Oliver Plunkett said after the ARA San Juan was found.
Tennessee's Rutherford County to use Vantage Robotics' Snap UAS for commercial ops over people
Rutherford County, Tennessee has received an FAA waiver to conduct commercial UAS operations over people, becoming the first and only county government in the U.S. with this capability.
The county will utilize Vantage Robotics’ Snap UAS for these operations in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
“We’re excited at Vantage, both to be continuing to pave new ground for safe and legal UAV use near people as well to see Snap contributing to public safety,” Vantage says.
This landmark FAA waiver comes a little over a year after the FAA granted CNN a “first-of-its-kind Part 107 waiver” that allows the media organization to fly a small UAS over people. Like Rutherford County, CNN also utilized the Snap UAS.
