In support of America's first responders, Skydio Inc. has launched two initiatives to provide first responders with drones and personal protection equipment (PPE).
Through the first initiative, known as the Skydio Emergency Response Program (ERP), Skydio will donate dozens of its Skydio 2 drones and associated equipment to public safety agencies across the country. Participating agencies will also have access to Skydio's in-house experts for training and support at no cost.
Skydio says that it had planned to release the ERP to help with disaster relief later this year, but the company decided to make the program available immediately to meet the needs of public safety agencies dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.
Software
Software
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.
Sonardyne, XOCEAN use USV to conduct live seabed-to-shore data harvesting mission
As part of a seabed monitoring campaign at the giant Ormen Lange field offshore Norway, Sonardyne International Ltd. and XOCEAN recently used a USV to successfully complete a pioneering live seabed-to-shore data harvesting mission for A/S Norske Shell.
Believed to be one of the largest data harvesting missions using a USV to date, the project was completed without a single person having to travel offshore or from their home office. According to Sonardyne, the project was achieved with “significantly less emissions, health and safety risk and cost” than could be done with a manned vessel.
SkyeBrowse, W.S. Darley partner to enhance UAS capabilities of first responders
SkyeBrowse, a 3D modeling software for UAS, is partnering with first responder and firefighting equipment manufacturer and supplier W.S. Darley, which will result in W.S. Darley providing first responders and public safety agencies with SkyeBrowse 3D modeling software, as well as its own UAS offerings.
The partnership comes at a time when it is especially crucial for first responders to spend as little time as possible on scene gathering information and evidence.
“W.S. Darley brings over 100 years of experience and a deep foothold in the public safety industry,” says Bobby Ouyang, CEO of SkyeBrowse.
AeroVironment unveils fully automated reconnaissance UAS
AeroVironment has unveiled Quantix Recon, the company's new lightweight, rapidly deployable, fully-automated reconnaissance UAS that provides ground forces with on-demand actionable intelligence by delivering high resolution, georeferenced terrain, vegetation and infrastructure imagery.
Milrem Robotics, InnoVfoam developing robot firefighting systems
Milrem Robotics has announced that it is working with foam extinguishing technology specialist InnoVfoam to develop robot firefighting systems that could help, or even replace, firefighters in especially hostile environments.
Milrem Robotics’ Multiscope Rescue UGV are equipped with various firefighting systems from InnoVfoams—specifically foam proportioning systems and fire monitors—to create the firefighting platforms.
Firefighters remotely operate the robots from a safe distance. They are provided with a complete overview of the operation area through various cameras, as well as sensors onboard the robot that can detect gas or chemical leaks.
Black Swift Technologies to develop UAS for Air Force, Army and Special Operations Forces ops
Black Swift Technologies (BST) has been awarded a USAF SBIR Phase II contract to develop a UAS that can autonomously conduct atmospheric profiling to support more accurate cargo drops and improved localized weather forecasts in support of Air Force, Army and Special Operations Forces (SOF) operations.
Known as the Black Swift SØ (S-zero), the compact, rugged aerial platform is designed to be hand-launched with the ability to quickly climb up to 15,000 feet. It is capable of a deep-stall landing with near vertical descent and 10-foot accuracy thanks to its unique tail design. Its rapid ascent and descent capabilities allow the UAS to quickly and accurately capture 3-dimensional (3D) wind profiles at a variety of levels, which is crucial for precision cargo drops.
OSU's new drone designed to keep rescuers out of harm's way following disasters
The aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 that left 168 people dead sparked the work being done today by Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Unmanned Systems Research Institute to help first responders.
25 years ago, there was no technology available that could help rescuers locate victims without risking their own lives to climb throughout what was left of the Murrah Building.
With this in mind, the now deceased Jon Hansen of the Oklahoma City Fire Department said that first responders needed a better way to conduct searches of rooms and communicate with the injured without having rescuers climbing through an unstable structure.
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)
