The FAA proposal for flying small UAS over people, a terrain-following fixed-wing UAS with active navigation, using drones and citizen science for animal conservation, a greater surveillance role for FAA Flight Standards District Offices, and an autonomous grocery delivery service.

UAV NewsSmall UAS Over People: A New Safety Paradigm

The FAA published a notice that would allow flying UAS over people without a waiver. Small category 1 and category 2 UAS would require fewer safety precautions than heavier category 3 drones.

Black Swift Technologies Developing Active UAS Navigation

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has been developing a terrain-following fixed-wing UAS. The Black Swift S2™ uses autonomous, active navigation around obstacles and over rugged terrain. Machine vision technologies and advanced sensors (including lidar and radar) make this possible.

‪How drones and AI are protecting endangered wildlife

Conservationists are using drones, citizen science, and artificial intelligence to replace manual methods for finding and counting animals. Volunteer citizen scientists label images from the drones which then train an AI engine. Zooniverse offers “people-powered research” where volunteers assist professional researchers.

FAA UAS Symposium Slated for June 3-5 in Baltimore

Presented by the FAA and AUVSI, the FAA UAS Symposium will be held June 3-5, 2019 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Stakeholders will gather to help define the rules and concepts that will govern the future of drone operations. See the symposium program for the extensive list of the topics to be covered.

UAS: The FAA Tightens the Screws

The FAA issued a new National Policy requiring local FAA Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) to immediately update their 2019 National Work Program Guidelines to include new Required Surveillance Work Activities for UAS operations. Details in FAA Notice N 8900.504, Expanded Unmanned Aircraft Systems Oversight [PDF].

‪Kroger and Nuro launching their autonomous grocery delivery service in Houston

In 2018, large supermarket chain Kroger and California-based robotics company Nuro piloted a self-driving grocery delivery service in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now they are expanding the service into Houston.

UAV Video of the Week

Stunning drone footage of a humpback whale breach in Hawaii – A Hawaii resident captured this stunning drone footage of a humpback whale breach off the North Shore of Oahu.