RFID-Reading Drone Tracks Structural Steel Products in Storage Yard

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Age Steel, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) company that operates multiple steel yards in Dubai, has taken radio frequency identification technology to new heights, through its use of an RFID reader mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly called a drone. The Steel Yard Autonomous Tracking solution, provided by UAE technology services startup Exponent Technology Services, enables Age Steel to quickly and accurately track the locations of pipes, plates and other metal products stored onsite. Continue reading →

Australia to Certify 150th Unmanned Aircraft Operator

CASA 1A major milestone is about to be recorded by the Australian unmanned aircraft industry with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to certify its 150th certified unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operator this month. This milestone represents a 50% increase in the number of CASA certified UAS operators since May this year. If the current pace is sustained, the number of certified operators is now likely to pass 200 by as soon as March 2015. Continue reading →

Ohio Prison to Test Surveillance Aerostat and UAS

Raven_Aerostar_TIF_40KThe Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections last week launched a $170,000 aerostat to monitor security at the Lebanon and Warren Correctional Institutions. The aerostat will have the capability to capture video of the prisons’ grounds during the day and night as well as use infrared sensors to detect unwelcome visitors staked near the facility’s fences.

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AeroVironment Gets $27M US Army Raven and Puma Spares Contracts

 AeroVironment, Inc. has announced it received three firm fixed-price orders from the United States Army totaling $27,178,075 for RQ-11B Raven and RQ-20A Puma AE unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) spare parts.  The company received two orders on August 29, 2014 and one on September 18, 2014.  Delivery is anticipated within 12 months. Continue reading →

Google, Amazon, DJI and GoPro Lead Small UAV Lobby Group

DJI - GoPro

Leading technology companies have formally announced the formation of the Small UAV Coalition to help pave the way for commercial, philanthropic, and civil use of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the United States and abroad. Chief among the organization’s goals is to advance a regulatory environment that will support safe, reliable, and timely operation of small UAVs. Continue reading →