This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Amazon has announced that its Scout delivery robots have made their way down south and are now operating in two new locations. The robots have begun delivering packages to select customers in Atlanta, Georgia and Franklin, Tennessee. (The Amazon Blog: Day One)
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Conversations with AUVSI: Deuce Drone
Founded in 2019, Deuce Drone’s goal is to solve the last mile delivery problem for “brick and mortar” retailers by enabling drone shipment from existing stores. Leveraging the current infrastructure of its clients, Deuce Drone designs, builds and operates drone delivery systems to transform retail stores into customer fulfillment centers, which helps retailers compete with major e-commerce players through a cost-effective, technology-driven solution for same-day delivery.
Parrot works with French authorities and regulators to address progressing UAS regulations in France
To address the rapidly progressing drone regulations in France, Parrot has announced that it has worked closely with French authorities and regulators.
FCA selects Waymo as its exclusive, strategic technology partner for L4 fully self-driving technology
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has selected Waymo as its exclusive, strategic technology partner for L4 fully self-driving technology across FCA’s full product portfolio.
Waymo will also work exclusively with FCA as its preferred partner on the development and testing of L4 autonomous light commercial vehicles for the movement of goods, including in the Waymo Via vehicle.
Plus.ai, Transportation Research Center partnering to conduct capability tests of Plus.ai's self-driving system
Plus.ai has announced an agreement with North America’s largest independent vehicle test facility and proving grounds, the Transportation Research Center (TRC), to conduct capability tests of Plus.ai’s self-driving system using a rigorous multi-vehicle approach.
Expected to break new ground in Level 4 commercial vehicle testing, this test program will utilize a multi-vehicle test approach to simulate complex, real-world driving conditions. Current published standards only require a single other vehicle test, Plus.ai notes.
Pratt Miller Mobility demonstrates Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting vehicle at Michigan airport
From July 13 to 17, Pratt Miller Mobility (PMM) demonstrated its Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting (LAAD) vehicle at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in front of key stakeholders and members of the press.
The demonstrations were conducted in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and PlanetM, which is Michigan's mobility initiative representing the collective mobility efforts across the state.
“The new technology from Pratt Miller is a great tool in our Fly Safe. Fly Ford. campaign to restore confidence in the flying public,” says Tory Richardson, CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
Weekend Roundup: July 17, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
In association with JR East Group, Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Production Engineering Co., Ltd. have launched a mobility service trial using Panasonic's robotic mobility device, an electric wheelchair with autonomous tracking function. The goal of the trial is to verify serviceability of the devices in a sunny, semi-outdoor environment. (Panasonic)
UAVOS joins HAPS Alliance to promote use of high-altitude solar-powered autonomous aircraft
UAVOS has joined the High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) industry Alliance to promote the use of high-altitude solar-powered autonomous aircraft for facilitating global research missions, communication, connectivity, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from the stratosphere.
By joining the HAPS Alliance, UAVOS will collaborate with member companies towards accelerating the development and adoption of HAPS technology into the evolution of the high altitude unmanned platforms market.
UAVOS says that its HAPS knowledge is based on test flights for more than 1000 hours of HAPS flight tests at altitudes of up to 66,000 feet. The ApusDuo project is the second generation of UAVOS’ HAPS solar airplane.
FLIR Systems introduces FLIR Hadron for drone, robotic and imaging OEMs
FLIR Systems has introduced the industry’s first dual sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), FLIR Hadron.
Described as lightweight and low power, the compact form factor includes a 12-megapixel visible camera paired with the FLIR Boson 320x240 resolution thermal camera with up to a 60-hertz framerate. FLIR says that FLIR Hadron is designed to help reduce development costs and improve time-to-market.
Ocean Infinity deploys AUVs to collect high-resolution geophysical and geotechnical data in Guyana
Ocean Infinity has announced that it has successfully completed its recent project for ExxonMobil within the Stabroek block offshore Guyana.
During the project, multiple AUVs were deployed simultaneously in water depths between 70 meters and 2,150 meters over an area of approximately 3,100 square kilometers to acquire high-resolution geophysical and geotechnical data.
Ocean Infinity says that the approach of autonomous operations at scale ensured that the data was gathered at “an industry-leading pace” and with a significant reduction in environmental impacts compared to conventional survey methods.
