Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and more specifically Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), are increasingly becoming a part of our day to day lives. The vast range of possible uses is creating a new industry with a large economic potential.
Using Drones to Monitor Songbirds
A new study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances tests this new approach to wildlife monitoring and concludes that despite some drawbacks, the method has the potential to become an important tool for ecologists and land managers.
Using UAVs in Australia to Study Grape Pests
Leading scientists from Australia and the US have formed a partnership to research the role remote sensing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) could play in improving surveillance capabilities for plant pests.
The multi-million dollar project is funded by the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC) – of which the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) is a core partner. Continue reading
Energy Producer Improves Worker Safety with Drones
Major power producer AES Corp. is ramping up the use of drones with an eye toward shielding workers from industry hazards. Rather than buy all their own unmanned aerial systems, they’ve engaged D.C.-based drone services provider Measure to get access to a more extensive fleet. Measure recently raised $15 million in venture funding. Continue reading
Dubai Aims to Launch Unmanned Aerial Taxi by July
Dubai has tested an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) capable of carrying a human in collaboration with the Chinese Ehang Company, said the emirate’s transport authority, aiming to start the operation of the self-driving hover-taxi by July. Continue reading
AeroVironment Advances Research with Farmers and University Partners
AeroVironment, Inc shared details regarding its ongoing pilot programs which are entering their third year and have guided development of the AV DSS platform. The company also displays its Quantix drone and AV Decision Support System (AV DSS) to World Ag Expo and National Farm Machinery Show attendees this week, highlighting the fully-integrated ecosystem’s powerfully-simple operations and innovative data analytics capabilities. Continue reading
Test Flight of Disaster Drone in Tokyo Park
On Saturday, officials from Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, and drone experts flew a drone in a high-rise district west of JR Shinjuku Station after establishing an exclusive radio communications network between Shinjuku Central Park, a designated evacuation site for the area, and Kogakuin University, which would become a disaster response headquarters. Continue reading
Dedrone Secures $15M for Series B Funding
Dedrone, a security company which developed the world’s first software to detect drones and protect high-value airspace from drone threats, announced that it has secured $15 million for its Series B funding round led by Felicis Ventures and by John Chambers, Executive Chairman of Cisco, who has personally invested in the company.