Solar software company Raptor Maps has announced that it has raised a $5 million Series A, co-led by Blue Bear Capital, Data Point Capital, and Buoyant Ventures. With a mind towards solving growing pains for solar project finance, development, and asset management across an industry experiencing a 49 percent annual growth rate over the last 10 years, Raptor Maps describes the current approach to developing and operating solar farms as “increasingly untenable, resulting in demand for software and standardization of required processes and documentation.” “Our mission is to build software that enables the solar industry to scale,” says Raptor Maps co-founder and CEO Nikhil Vadhavkar.

Beep is a Florida-based autonomous mobility solution company delivering the next generation of services for passenger mobility to fleet operators in planned communities and low speed environments across the public and private sector, including transportation hubs, medical and university campuses, town centers and more. From route planning to interactive managed services, Beep's offerings are designed to drive differentiation and innovation, and delight the passengers of its customers. In the second edition of "Conversations with AUVSI," Beep CEO Joe Moye took the time to answer some questions about the company’s background, its various pilot programs, and the work it has done during the COVID-19 pandemic. This interview was conducted in mid-August.

With the current iteration of the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) set to conclude in October, speakers during Episode II of the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium – Remotely Piloted Edition reflected on the success of the program, and the immense value that it has provided over the last three years. “It is spectacular to be seeing this IPP coming to a successful…I don’t want to call it an ending because it’s a continuing journey, but we are coming to the final report here and we have learned a tremendous amount,” said Earl Lawrence, executive director, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA. As Lawrence noted, the IPP itself as we know it may be concluding, but the operations that began under the program will continue, and the FAA will continue supporting those operations.

A patent-pending UAS that allows drones to be dispatched autonomously by 911 operators called FIRST iZ has announced a partnership with KnackForge to create control systems hardware and software for its FIRST Port drone port, as well as its launch ecosystem. Founded in 2011, KnackForge employs development teams across the world. Through this strategic partnership, KnackForge handles the details involved with safely and successfully launching a UAS from a smart hangar, or port, that keeps the UAS charged and ready to fly within seconds of a known need. This involves bringing together power and control hardware with software to remotely manage all scenarios that may occur.