When Amir Rubin was first exposed to virtual reality in 1994, the graphics were primitive at best. The device, if one could call it that, was large, cumbersome, and involved an unruly nest of cables and wires.
Still, the engineer and former soldier could not help but react enthusiastically to the potential of the technology he witnessed.
“It was very complex, and lower quality than anything [most people today] have seen,” says Rubin.
Nevertheless, he describes himself as “hooked” as soon as he put the headset on.
Software
Software
Black Sage Technologies selects Echodyne's EchoGuard for counter UAS applications
Black Sage Technologies Inc. has selected Echodyne’s security radar, EchoGuard, as the preferred radar sensor for mid-range counter UAS security technologies.
With Echodyne’s MESA technology, a small ESA radar is created with high-fidelity data output for security integrators that require excellent range, detection and tracking accuracy, and consistent sensor performance.
The companies note that Echodyne’s MESA technology delivers a high-performance radar in a compact, solid-state, commercially-priced format for security integrators that deliver multi-sensor ground and airspace security technologies for industry, government, and defense.
Red Cat's black box flight recorder makes UAS trackable and accountable
A company called Red Cat that provides distributed data storage, analytics and services for the UAS industry has announced the beta release of its blockchain-based black box storage, analytics and services platform, which makes UAS trackable and accountable.
Red Cat says that its platform release includes several integrated systems that allow industry regulators to track and review UAS flight data, insurance companies to insure UAS with reliable third-party data, and pilots to ensure compliance with regulators.
According to Red Cat, its black box flight recorder is the first distributed system with secure and encrypted third-party data that regulators and insurance companies can trust.
Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development and Carmera working on HD maps for autonomous vehicles
Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development Inc. (TRI-AD) and Carmera Inc. have announced that they will collaborate to conduct a proof of concept surrounding the development of camera-based automation of high definition (HD) maps for urban and surface roads.
According to the companies, this is the first step towards realizing TRI-AD's open software platform concept known as Automated Mapping Platform (AMP), which will support the scalability of highly automated driving by combining data gathered from vehicles of participating companies to generate HD maps.
China Post and Deppon Express starting autonomous package delivery services in April
Two Chinese delivery and logistics companies, China Post and Deppon Express, have announced that in April, they will begin making commercial deliveries using self-driving trucks, with the first trucks being put into daily commercial use in China.
The trucks will be equipped with autonomous driving technologies developed by FABU Technology, which is an artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on intelligent driving systems.
Volvo Buses and Nanyang Technological University demonstrate full size autonomous bus
Volvo Buses and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have demonstrated what they are calling the world’s first full size autonomous electric bus.
Having already undergone preliminary rounds of testing at the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous vehicles (CETRAN) in Singapore, the bus, which is Volvo’s first autonomous fully electric bus in public transportation, will soon begin trials on the campus of NTU.
There are also plans to extend the route beyond the university.
Northwest UAV's NW-44 Multi-Fuel Engine surpasses 10,000 combat flight hours
Northwest UAV (NWUAV) has announced that its NW-44 Multi-Fuel Engine has flown more than 10,000 combat flight hours and logged more than 1000 flights.
The NW-44 Engine was built specifically for small UAS that require extreme endurance and high reliability. The lightweight, multi-fuel UAS engine has been designed and built to be easily adaptable so that it can meet the most challenging mission requirements.
DroneUp and Vintun partner to provide UAS services for U.S. Government
On-demand drone pilot service provider DroneUp LLC has announced a partnership with Vintun LLC to provide UAS services for the United States Government.
A provider of a number of different services for various military and government organizations, Vintun has also developed Vintun Drone-as-a-Service (VDaaS). DroneUp will use its extensive global pilot network to serve as the UAS service provider to Vintun.
DroneUp says that its patent-pending platform, Mission Match, enables VDaaS’s participants to locate, qualify and deploy the right UAS pilot for the right mission. The entities will acquire, process, and deliver actionable aerial data for different agencies and organizations within the U.S. government at the highest levels.
Daimler and BMW partner to develop next-generation tech for autonomous driving
The Daimler AG and BMW Group will work together to develop next-generation technologies for automated driving, the companies announced on Thursday, Feb. 28.
The initial focus of the companies’ partnership will be advancing the development of next-generation technologies for driver assistance systems, automated driving on highways and parking features (up to SAE Level 4).
With this in mind, Daimler and BMW have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop this technology, noting that they view their partnership as a “long-term, strategic cooperation,” with a goal of making next-level technologies widely available by the middle of the next decade.
Boeing unveils newest unmanned platform designed for global defense customers
Boeing has introduced the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, which is the company’s newest unmanned platform.
According to Boeing, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System is the company's largest investment in a new unmanned aircraft program outside the United States, as the platform was designed by Boeing Australia for global customers.
Boeing says that the unmanned platform will have a number of capabilities. Measuring 38 feet long, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide fighter-like performance, as it will be able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles.
