Xcel Energy has become the first utility company to use drones in beyond-line-of-sight inspections of more than 320,000 miles of electricity and natural gas infrastructure.
Category Archives: Non-Military & Commercial UAS
DroneDeploy Volume Measurement Available
DroneDeploy has announced a new feature: real-time, accurate volume measurements available on any device. This feature is available as part of the new Elevation Toolbox, which enables more granular visualization and analysis of elevation data.
Skeye Acquires Two VTOL UAVs from High Eye
Skeye, a Dutch provider of professional UAV services has announced that it has signed a two- year lease agreement with High Eye for the use of two HEF 30 VTOL UAVs equipped with a daylight and infrared camera.
CBP Tests Predator at Civilian Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) division announced late last week it is testing a programme to operate Predator drones from a civilian airport in San Angelo, Texas.
Westar Energy Drones for Emergency Line Inspections
Westar Energy will soon deploy drones in the war on power outages. The state’s dominant electric company last week obtained a rule exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin using two remote-controlled aerial drones.
Skybender: Google’s Secret 5G Internet Drone Tests
Google is testing solar-powered drones at Spaceport America in New Mexico to explore ways to deliver high-speed internet from the air. In a secretive project codenamed SkyBender, the technology giant built several prototype transceivers at the isolated spaceport last summer, and is testing them with multiple drones, according to documents obtained under public records laws. Continue reading
UAVs to Check on Railway Bridge Safety in India
A one-of-its-kind pilot project concerning health monitoring of railway bridges in the South Central Railway zone is about to take off for the first time in India later this year. Continue reading
