Mapping the trees in Finland’s forests sounds like a Herculean task – there are 30 billion of them, making it Europe’s most densely wooded nation. But for one start-up that’s just the warm-up act to its plan to use laser-equipped drones to shake up industry at large. From package deliveries to nuclear power plant examinations, the Helsinki-based Sharper Shape can see limitless possibilities for its system. Continue reading
Category Archives: Non-Military & Commercial UAS
Saint John Paul II Relic Procession in Washington Filmed by QuadCopter
The procession had an ancient vibe: Dozens of priests in white robes, leading hundreds more Catholics in a solemn procession through Northeast Washington. People chanted and sang prayers from the 3rd century, asking saints through Christianity’s history for help. The Archdiocese of Washington debuted its new, hubcap-sized flying device on Mother’s Day, using it to videotape crowds participating in a procession marking the canonizations of popes John Paul II and John the 23rd (now called St. John Paul II and St. John the 23rd). Continue reading
Swedish Police Review UAS Deployment
The Swedish National Police Board is to review how unmanned aircraft systems could be of use while conducting routine police work. Continue reading
AR Drone Launches BeBop Controlled by SmartPhone
Wireless products maker Parrot unveiled a drone Sunday aimed squarely at smartphone or tablet owners keen on getting bird’s eye views of the world.Parrot billed its Bebop Drone as a flying high-quality camera that will land in the market in the final three months this year. Continue reading
UK Bird Society UAS Monitors Protected Species
The British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is using a remotely controlled aircraft to spy on the nests of endangered breeds and monitor the progress of reintroduced species. Continue reading
First Responder Network Opportunity for UAS
By R. Michael Senkowski, Anna M. Gomez, and Katy M. Ross
The First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, is charged with deploying the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety. This network provides an excellent platform for public safety to deploy and use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). UAS are an important tool for public safety, whether for law enforcement, fire response, or emergency services response. UAS providers and manufacturers should therefore be engaged with FirstNet’s efforts to plan and deploy its network. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman & Yamaha Motor Build Unmanned Helicopter System
Northrop Grumman Corporation and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., have agreed to work together to develop and market an innovative small, unmanned autonomous helicopter system. Continue reading
UAS Deliver Coke to Workers Building Singapore Skyscrapers
A few weeks back, drones buzzed up to high-rises under construction in Singapore and dropped off cans of Coke to the migrant workers building the towers. Tucked into the care packages were 2,734 messages from Singaporeans thanking the tradesmen for their hard work. The idea was to link two communities that don’t often come into contact – Singaporean nationals and the migrant workers who travel far from their countries to build the city-state’s apartment buildings, offices and schools. Continue reading