Drone Museum Horie, which is located in the Minamihorie district in Osaka, Japan, is the nation's first UAS museum.
The museum, which officially opened in December 2017, exhibits 16 types of UAS that have been produced in Japan and abroad. The UAS range in size, from an 18-gram palm-sized indoor UAS to a large crop-spraying UAS equipped with a 10-liter tank.
The museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn the history of UAS, from early models that were designed for industrial use to more recent models that can send live video footage to a smartphone. Visitors can test fly the UAS, and purchase the ones that are on sale as well.
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AeroVironment's automated Quantix hybrid UAS for farmers now available
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that its automated Quantix hybrid UAS and AeroVironment Decision Support System (AV DSS) analytics software are now available for sale through its authorized reseller network.
According to AeroVironment, the technology is a “powerfully simple-to-use and fully integrated drone and data processing solution delivering actionable intelligence for the farm.”
Texas game wardens optimistic that new UAS will have life-saving impact
Texas game wardens will use their new DJI Inspire 2 UAS to “enhance their ability to quickly and safely surveil hard to access areas during natural disasters and search and rescue operations.”
The UAS’ camera payload allows for real-time broadcast, providing the same live HD video feed to a large HD TV screen or monitor. With this feature, rescuers and command staff can have a live view that allows them to make “immediate and appropriate decisions that save lives.”
Wisconsin's Madison Police Department touts success of new UAS team
The Madison Police Department (MPD) in Madison, Wisconsin is touting the success of its new UAS team, after the technology was used to effectively tighten the search area for a missing Madison nursing home patient.
By surveying land from an aerial position, a search that would have potentially taken hours on foot was reduced to a 20-minute operation for officers.
Swift Aero granted permission to fly UAS in Class Bravo airspace in and around Las Vegas
Aerial service provider Swift Aero Aerial Systems (Swift Aero) has had its FAA Waiver Part 107.41 approved by the FAA, which will allow the company to fly UAS in key airport traffic areas and controlled airspace, known as Class Bravo airspace, in and around Las Vegas.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be the first aerial company to have this very special permission to fly UAS in Class Bravo Airspace in Las Vegas,” says Craig McKay, President, Swift Aero Aerial Systems.
“This will open-up many opportunities for businesses already anchored here and those corporations who want to start-up here in Vegas.”
SUEZ partners with Sky Scape Industries to utilize small UAS in North America
SUEZ in North America, which is under Paris-based parent company SUEZ, has partnered with UAS service provider Sky Scape Industries (SSI) in what the companies call an industry first, as they look to implement UAS technology into water utility operations.
SUEZ North America owns and operates 15 water utilities, and operates 70 municipal systems through public-private partnerships and contract partnerships. With this in mind, the companies say that this partnership will “incorporate safe and efficient drone technology solutions into the maintenance and construction of one of the country’s most valuable utilities.”
Ohio Advisory Group on UAS issues final report that includes model policy for use by law enforcement
On Friday, Jan. 26, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that his Advisory Group on Unmanned Aircraft Systems issued its final report, which includes a model policy for use by law enforcement.
Along with the creation of a model policy, the report made 14 recommendations, which addressed various topics such as licensure, training, and data/records management.
Precision Aerial using UAS to survey drainage system in response to Hurricane Harvey
In partnership with The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (WJPA), Precision Aerial Compliance Solutions, LLC (Precision Aerial) is providing UAS LiDAR surveying for portions of The Woodlands drainage system in Texas following Hurricane Harvey.
Precision Aerial will evaluate current conditions along portions of Panther Creek and Spring Creek using high-end, UAS LiDAR to provide the laser assessment for the WJPA, which is the central management agency for the ten Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that serve The Woodlands in Montgomery County.
NCDOT hosts UAS workshop for public safety agencies
On Wednesday, Jan. 24, more than 150 police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders attended a free workshop for public safety agencies that have already, or would like to soon, incorporate UAS into their operations.
Hosted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Division of Aviation Unmanned Aerial Systems Program Office, the program included scenario-based live flight demonstrations, as well as a panel discussion of current regulations and presentations from agencies that have already began taken advantage of this technology.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
On Jan. 24, Purdue officials and leaders celebrated the launch of the new Center for Brain-inspired Computing Enabling Autonomous Intelligence (C-BRIC). According to C-BRIC director Kaushik Roy, researchers at the center will work to develop “autonomous intelligent systems capable of reasoning and decision-making to complete mission-critical tasks without human intervention.” (Purdue)