This week (and the last two weeks) in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Buffalo Automation demonstrated its autonomous water taxi, the “Greycraft,” to city leaders in Knoxville, Tennessee this week. Considered the world’s first autonomous ferry, the solar and electric-powered taxi can give people rides from Volunteer Landing on the north side to Suttree Landing on the south side of the Tennessee River. (WATE-TV)
Software
Software
Robotic Research joins Persistent Systems' Wave Relay Ecosystem
Persistent Systems has announced that Robotic Research has joined its Wave Relay Ecosystem, which is an alliance of sensor and unmanned system companies that all use Persistent’s Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET).
“The aim of the Wave Relay Ecosystem is to deliver the warfighter a truly unified battlefield network where all of the sensors and unmanned systems are united to deliver the warfighter real-time situational awareness,” explains Jeffrey Washington, director of Business Development at Persistent Systems.
Draganfly awarded new patent for VTOL cargo delivery drone
Draganfly has been awarded a new patent for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) cargo delivery drone with variable center of gravity.
According to Draganfly, the design is ideal for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, and for transporting goods in hard to reach areas or flight over people at night.
“With the signing of a signature customer and now this key industry patent we are confident in our role as an important global player in drone delivery space,” says Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly.
“This showcases Draganfly’s continued focus on IP and highlights the strength and innovation of our engineering team.”
Weekend Roundup: December 18, 2020
This week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Skydio has announced the general availability of a broad set of advanced AI-pilot assistance capabilities for enterprise and public sector operators called Skydio Autonomy Enterprise Foundation (AEF). According to Skydio, AEF optimizes the Skydio 2 drone for professional use in a wide range of missions, including outdoor/indoor inspections, search and rescue, emergency response, security patrol, and situational awareness. (Skydio)
Iris Automation to use latest funding to improve Casia DAA system, continue participation in BEYOND program
Iris Automation has closed a successful round of $13 million in Series B venture capital funding.
Known for its Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) system, Casia, Iris Automation will use this latest investment for several initiatives, including to expand machine learning and AI capabilities and testing to improve and extend the Casia system’s performance envelope; to continue to improve detection and classification capabilities of the Casia system to support expanded use cases, operational environments and aircraft compatibility; and to build out fulfillment capabilities to produce, deliver and support the growing installed base of aircraft OEM partners and end use customers, and enter new markets associated with aircraft safety.
LG Electronics developing autonomous robot to disinfect high-touch, high-traffic areas
LG Electronics has announced that it is developing an autonomous robot that will use ultraviolet (UV-C) light to disinfect high-touch, high-traffic areas.
The robot will be officially unveiled at Digital CES 2021 in January. LG Business Solutions USA plans to offer the UV robot to U.S. hospitality, education, corporate, retail, restaurant, and transportation customers in early 2021.
“We hope LG's first UV disseminating robot will give our customers, and in turn their customers, peace of mind,” says Michael Kosla, vice president, LG Business Solutions USA.
Plus expands strategic partnership with Full Truck Alliance
Self-driving truck tech company Plus (formerly Plus.ai) has announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Full Truck Alliance (FTA).
Through this partnership, the FAW J7+ truck will be available for sale on FTA’s platform, which will give Plus access to a sales channel that handled transactions for over 10 million truckers and five million shippers this year alone. Powered by the Plus automated driving system, the truck is going into mass production in 2021.
Plus and FTA will collaborate to help shippers in China reduce costs, improve safety and driver comfort, and increase efficiency.
ZM Interactive introduces drone capable of lifting up to 1,000 pounds
On Monday, Dec. 14, ZM Interactive (ZMI) announced the newest additions to its line of xFold drones, the xFold Dragon and the Dragon Hybrid. The xFold Dragon is capable of lifting up to 1,000 pounds, while the Dragon Hybrid boasts a flight time of 1.5 hours on battery and more than eight hours with a hybrid system.
The strongest and most adaptable drones in the industry according to ZMI, the xFold drones are also the only industrial UAS that can switch between x4 (quad), x6 (hexa), X8 (octo) and X12 (dodeca) configurations in minutes.
Weekend Roundup: December 11, 2020
This week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
In coordination with the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has announced the latest round of PlanetM testing grants, which are expected to take mobility to “new heights” supporting both drone and connected vehicle technology programs. Great Lakes Drone Company, RAVE Cave and P3 Mobility are the recipients of the grants. (Michigan Economic Development Corporation)
ThayerMahan's autonomous systems prove capable of identifying, localizing and reporting IUU fishing
During operational testing and evaluation, ThayerMahan Inc. demonstrated that its Outpost and SeaWatch autonomous systems could identify, localize, and report illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which has replaced piracy as the leading global maritime security threat according to the US Coast Guard's Strategic Outlook on IUU Fishing released earlier this year.
