UAS VISION
an independent online news service for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems world
– Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it is partnering with Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous delivery system, to fly digital orders to guests’ locations in greater Dallas. A small number of Zipline users will have access to Zipotle starting today, ahead of a broader service launch in the coming weeks. Continue reading
A new startup has a contract with the Air Force’s innovation arm and a prototype to test its new concept: a network of “flying pickup truck” drones to solve the problem of logistics in the vast Pacific. Continue reading
An MQ-9 Guardian medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flew deep into Mexico last week, according to flight tracking data. What at least appears publicly to be a very rare event comes as the Trump administration has reportedly authorized the military to take action against cartels in Mexico. Continue reading
– Consumers Energy has expanded its use of drone technology across the electric grid by doubling its fleet in the past 2 years reinforcing its commitment to delivering reliable, safe and affordable service. By enhancing inspection speed and accessibility, drones enable the early detection and resolution of potential issues—particularly in areas where traditional inspections are difficult—helping to prevent service disruptions and improve customer experience. Continue reading
Amazon’s experimental service with delivery drones has encountered some turbulence in the past few months, and a recent incident in the West Valley, caught on camera, involving a package and a pool, is raising concerns. Continue reading
– Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and aircraft, announced that its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has been operational in Europe since early June under a contract with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and in partnership with Global Sat Tech, to provide a comprehensive border management solution. Continue reading
– Skyports Drone Services, a global player in drone delivery and inspection services for healthcare, maritime, logistics and energy use cases, and AZ Turnhout, the main healthcare provider in the Turnhout region, has launched an on-demand medical drone delivery trial in Kempen, Belgium. Continue reading
A new article published in npj Robotics addresses the challenge of flying small quadcopters in ventilation ducts with a maximum diameter of 35 cm. This research, conducted by a team of researchers from Inria, CNRS, the University of Lorraine, and Aix-Marseille University, opens up a new field of possibilities relating to the accessibility and inspection of confined environments. Continue reading