To continue its rapid expansion into U.S. markets and offer more robust support to customers and partners, Swiss drone company Flyability has opened its first U.S. office in Denver, Colorado.
Known for its Elios 2 drone for indoor inspections, Flyability says that the new office in Denver will allow it to provide “timely, more localized support to U.S. customers and partners, as well as continue to strengthen and develop strategic partnerships throughout the country and surrounding areas.”
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Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority introduces autonomous shuttle at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
During a VIP event at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) introduced the first autonomous shuttle in the region.
According to CCRTA, the shuttle service is one of the first in the nation to operate on a complex route that is exposed not only to vehicular traffic, but also foot traffic.
“This new shuttle is one more way the Island University continues to lead in cutting edge innovation and the use of new technology,” says Dr. Kelly M. Miller, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi president.
“We are excited to partner with CCRTA on this project that will enhance campus life and show how research turns into usable innovations.”
Speakers highlight importance of collaboration for developing, integrating unmanned maritime systems
As the U.S. Navy continues to develop and integrate unmanned maritime systems into its repertoire, members of the government and the unmanned systems industry agree they will need to continue relying on each other to make these systems a regular part of the armed forces.
“What I really appreciate is industry’s willingness to get on board with the Navy’s vision for the family of systems that can be upgraded throughout their life,” said Capt. Pete Small, USN, program manager, PMS 406, on a government panel during the Unmanned Systems Integration Seminar, presented by the Naval Submarine League and AUVSI.
Silent Falcon UAS E1 surpasses 500 hours of successful flight testing and operations
Silent Falcon UAS Technologies (SFUAS) has announced that the Silent Falcon E1 UAS has completed 500 hours of successful flight testing and operations.
The solar electric, fixed wing UAS is considered an ideal platform to use to collect data in both harsh and peaceful environments, thanks in large part to its payload capacity of 20 pounds and its ceiling of 20,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The UAS is also noise and emission free, and it provides long range, low cost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
Autonomous shuttle set to begin operating on NCSU's Centennial Campus next month
EasyMile’s EZ10 autonomous shuttle will begin operating on North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) Centennial Campus in February, according to the News & Observer.
Known as CASSI, which is short for Connected Autonomous Shuttle Supporting Innovation, the shuttle can carry up to 12 people on pre-programmed routes.
According to Mike Kennon, the assistant director of transportation at NCSU, CASSI will operate on a loop through the heart of Centennial Campus on weekdays and during special events on weekends. The campus is home to NCSU’s engineering school, as well as several technology companies, which Kennon says makes it an ideal place to showcase such technology.
EHang conducts first U.S. trial flight of autonomous aerial vehicle in North Carolina
As part of the North Carolina Transportation Summit, EHang conducted its first-ever U.S. trial flight of the EHang 216, which is the company’s two-seater passenger-grade autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV).
Conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the trial flight was the first time that the EHang 216 has received flight approval from the FAA. The trial flight was a non-passenger flight, but EHang says that it is working with the FAA to secure approval for a passenger trial flight of the EHang 216 “in the near future.”
“We are proud to have the first autonomous aerial vehicle flying in North America, in North Carolina,” says North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Northrop Grumman's AQS-24 mine hunting sonar completes initial in-water testing of next-gen D&R payload
Northrop Grumman has announced that its AQS-24 mine hunting sonar recently completed initial in-water testing of a next-generation Deploy and Retrieval (D&R) payload.
The AQS-24 D&R operated from the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessel (MCM USV), and showcased the unmanned operations necessary to perform a mine hunting mission off the MCM Mission Package aboard the littoral combat ship (LCS).
New York Gov. Cuomo proposes investment to establish small UAS experimentation and test facility at Griffiss International Airport
On Sunday, Jan. 5, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled a proposal for a $9 million investment to establish a small UAS experimentation and test facility at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, Oneida County.
AFRL successfully completes initial flight tests for Ultra Long Endurance Aircraft Platform
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Center for Rapid Innovation (CRI) recently successfully completed initial flight tests for the Ultra Long Endurance Aircraft Platform (Ultra LEAP). The UAS has a customizable suite of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) tools that supports extended missions.
After a series of flight tests that began in Feb. 2019 at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, a two and a half-day continuous flight demonstration was performed from Dec. 9 to Dec 11. Future flight tests will demonstrate increased levels of flight endurance, AFRL says.
