UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air Mobility

AUVSI creates the Trusted Operator Program (TOP) for professional certification, Aurora Flight Sciences builts the Odysseus HALE aircraft, fast food delivery service generates some complaints, the DRL announces the Alpha Pilot Challenge for autonomous drone racers, the Office of Aviation Services wants information about using drones to fight wildfires, and the Office of the Inspector General conducted an audit of the FAA’s UAS waiver process.

UAV NewsUnmanned systems: New AUVSI Trusted UAS Operator Program

AUVSI worked with industry experts to create the Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP) for professional certification. AUVSI says the program was created “to raise the trust and acceptance of the use of unmanned aircraft around the world. TOP is a professional unmanned systems community initiative aimed at supporting industry accepted remote pilot standards and protocols, which will result in the safe and sustainable advancement of the industry.”

The program features three certification levels where each corresponds to the level of safety precautions required. Level one covers relatively low-risk operations for flights under Part 107. Level two is for companies that conduct flights near expensive infrastructure requiring an FAA waiver. Level three addresses flights in “safety critical” environments, such as near chemical, oil, gas, nuclear or mining facilities, even if they are offshore and no waiver is required.

TOP training providers:

• Consortiq
• DARTdrones
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Praxis Aerospace Concepts Inc.

TOP Certification bodies:

• Praxis Aerospace Concepts International, Inc.
• SGS

TOP uses a set of safety protocols and includes aviation regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aviation Safety Authorities, Directorates General of Civil Aviation and others.

Aurora Builds Stratospheric Solar Aircraft With Boeing’s BackingODYSSEUS: Global Reach, Airborne for Months, Powered by the Sun

Aurora Flight Sciences built the 243-foot span Odysseus, a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft. Odysseus uses lithium-polymer batteries and Alta Devices thin-film gallium-arsenide solar cells. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in 2019 in Puerto Rico. The first aircraft is battery-powered and the second and third aircraft will be solar-powered.

Odysseus uses thin-walled carbon-fiber tubes bonded together into box-section trusses for the wing spar and fuselages, and truss ribs for the wing and tails.

Food delivery drones are annoying residents in Australia because…of course!

Launched by Wing, an initiative from Alphabet X, Google’s parent company, the trial fast food delivery service in Canberra, Australia is generating some complaints. Some residents find the drones noisy, they scare away local birds, and they are perceived as an invasion of privacy.

The Next ESport Craze: Autonomous Drone Racing

The Drone Racing League has announced the Alpha Pilot Challenge for autonomous drone racers. Using the same courses that human drone pilots use, the series is intended to accelerate the pace of innovation. Eventually, the autonomous drone racers will be pitted against human pilots.

OAS Requests Information for Heavy-Lift UAS During Wildfires

The Office of Aviation Services (OAS) wants information about using drones to carry water and fire retardant and conduct heavy-lift cargo delivery during wildfires and emergency situations. See the solicitation: Heavy-lift Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to conduct cargo delivery during wildfires.

OIG Audits FAA on Drone Waivers, Calls for Eight Actions

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit of the FAA’s unmanned aircraft system waiver process between May 2017 and September 2018. In a summary of its findings, the OIG says the FAA has “established processes for reviewing and granting waivers but has experienced difficulties obtaining sufficient information, managing the volume of requests and communicating with applicants, particularly in explaining reasons for denying requests.”

“As a result, FAA’s Flight Standards office has disapproved 73 percent of operational waiver requests (e.g., over people and beyond line of sight), and a significant backlog of waiver requests to operate in airspace with manned aircraft exists,” the audit summary explains.

On the FAA’s “risk-based oversight system,” OIG says, “While FAA has developed guidance for planning annual inspections, few UAS operators have received inspections to verify their compliance with regulations and the terms of their waivers. Moreover, the agency’s ability to perform meaningful risk-based surveillance is hindered by limited access to detailed UAS operator, FAA inspection, and risk data. As a result, FAA does not have assurance of operators’ compliance with regulations, is not well-positioned to develop an oversight strategy, and is missing opportunities to gather information that will help shape rulemaking and policies.”

The audit offers eight recommendations for the FAA:

1. Assess the workforce tasked with reviewing waiver and authorization requests to determine if Air Traffic Organization (ATO) staffing is adequate, and take appropriate action as needed.
2. Assess the performance of the ATO’s non-automated airspace waiver request process to determine if volume and timeliness goals would improve the process, and if so, implement these goals.
3. Implement performance metrics for the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) to evaluate its effect on application processing volume and timeliness, and take appropriate action as needed.
4. Create internal controls to improve consistency in standard template responses used to correspond with applicants regarding requests for information.
5. Update National Flight Standards Work Program Guidelines to require field offices to perform inspections on a sample of commercial drone operators in their area for a two-year period (designed to increase available inspection data for creating a risk profile of UAS).
6. Develop a baseline risk assessment profile of small commercial drone operators to inform inspector surveillance planning decisions, as well as procedures to periodically update this profile.
7. Issue guidance to field offices on how to obtain FAA information on waiver- and/or authorization-holding UAS operators (designed to help inform their inspection planning).
8. Provide clarifying guidance to UAS operators regarding the small UAS rule’s provision relating to operations over people.

Mentioned

‘Lambulance’ drones used to check animal health in lambing season

Australian startup Emesant is using Hovermap technology to map underground environments. Also, drones and wildlife, another PrecisionHawk acquisition, the Chinese CH-7 UAV, remotely recharging drones, and the Robird drone for airport wildlife management.

UAV NewsHovermap drones dive underground to autonomously map mines and tunnels

Australian-based startup Emesant is developing specialized software that autonomously maps mines and tunnels. The Hovermap technology utilizes LiDAR, collision avoidance sensors, and GPS to map underground environments. Hovermap has been tested 2,000 feet underground in Australia generating 3D maps.

Video: Autonomous underground drone flight beyond line-of-sight using Hovermap payload

The Problem Behind a Viral Video of a Persistent Baby Bear

Video of a mother bear and cub struggling to climb a mountain made national news. After several attempts, the cub was able to climb up and reunite with its mother. However, experts say the video was taken with a drone which was actually terrorizing the bears.

North Carolina drone startup PrecisionHawk makes fifth acquisition of 2018 with Uplift Data Partners

More industry consolidation: PrecisionHawk is acquiring Uplift Data Partners, a provider of drone-based inspection services for the construction and facilities management industry. PrecisionHawk acquired Hazon and InspecTools in September, and Droners and AirVid in February. These after a $75 million funding round in January. PrecisionHawk says they will continue to expand in high-growth industries: energy and renewables, agriculture, construction, infrastructure, and insurance and government.

China Unveils New Stealth Drone With Eye on Middle East Dictators

China is showing a model of the CH-7 UAV at the Zhuhai air show and hopes to begin test flights next year with production in 2022. The 72-foot wingspan, 33 feet long UAV is expected to be sold internationally.

Lab-grown diamonds offer solution to drone flight-time issue

LakeDiamond created a small, square lab-grown diamond which can be used to charge drones in-flight. The diamond is used as the optical component of a low power laser which can recharge photovoltaic cells on the drones’ surface.

Robird drone convinces bird flocks to move away from airports

A peregrine falcon-shaped drone is chasing birds at the Grand Forks International Airport. Aerium Analytics, Clear Flight Solutions, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are seeking to reduce the number of bird strikes. Geo-fencing prevents the Robird from flying too high or intruding into the airport.

India releases civil drone regulations, detect and avoid testing begins in Kansas, the future of recreational drone flights, unmanned industry consolidation trends, an over 55-pound UAV approved, and a Chinese HALE drone.

UAV NewsIndia’s First Step Towards Regulating Drones

The Director General Civil Aviation’s (DGCA’s) Civilian Aviation Requirements (CAR) for Unmanned Aircraft System, was released August 27, 2018. The CAR takes effect December 1, 2018. Requirements include using the Digital Sky Platform on the DGCA’s website for administrative and procedural control of drones, registration numbers, and filing of flight plans.

Tests for UAS Integration Pilot Program begin – Iris Automation

The Kansas Department of Transportation is in the testing phase of the Integration Pilot Program, with a focus on new detect and avoid capabilities for drones. Iris Automation will test fly its computer vision and artificial intelligence technology for collision avoidance against a manned aircraft.

Video: Airborne Drone Collision Avoidance Field Trial – Iris Automation

The dark future of civilian drone operation

Justin Oakes from Droneworks Studios flies commercially but asks if measures under the recent FAA reauthorization will cause an end to recreational drone flying.

Video: Drone Pilots are FINISHED (New FAA Laws)

After Airware’s Demise, Consolidation Looms For The Commercial Drone Industry

Director of Corporate Analysis at Teal Group Philip Finnegan looks at the reasons we’ll continue to see consolidation in the drone industry.

FAA Approves HSE Over 55 lb Crop Sprayer Drone for Commercial Use!

UAV company Homeland Surveillance & Electronics, LLC (HSE) and aviation consulting firm UASolutions Group, Inc. were granted approval from the FAA for the AG-V6A+ multirotor UAS for Commercial Operations over 55 lbs. The AG-V6A+ is fully autonomous and designed for precision spraying.

A huge solar-powered drone that can supposedly stay in the air for months at a time has taken flight in China

China has a solar-powered high-altitude, long-endurance drone. Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has flown the Morning Star UAV. The 20-meter (66-foot) wingspan drone flew at an altitude of more than 20,000 meters (66,000 feet).

UAV Videos of the Week

This is Fall Foliage in Groton Vermont – October 8th – Green Mountain Drone

Utah Fall Colors at Snowbasin by Drone

A drone based on dragonfly wings, a drone community for women pilots, DJI demands a retraction, Uber wants to deliver food by drone, BVLOS testing in Alaska, a parachute system for flights over people, and a drone-equipped search and rescue vehicle.

UAV NewsSkeeter drone inspired by dragonfly’s turbulence-resistant wings

Skeeter is a small scale drone based on the dragonfly and developed by Animal Dynamics in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence’s R&D lab in the UK. Research is focused on building and testing vehicles that use flapping wings for propulsion. Initial use envisioned is for short-range surveillance platform and situational awareness.

This online community expands visibility for female drone pilots

Women Who Drone is an online community for female drone pilots, photographers, and videographers. Their “mission is to help close the gender gap in the UAV industry by training women and girls how to fly drones and advance their drone piloting career.” They “do this by educating and inspiring women and girls to join the UAV industry by providing online lessons and workshops, news and reviews, career opportunities and a supportive group of women around the world.” The organization is currently crowdfunding the effort.

DJI Demands Withdrawal of ‘Misleading’ Drone Strike Video

Everybody has seen the video of the Phantom 2 slamming into leading edge of a Mooney M20. Now DJI wants the University of Dayton Research Institute to pull the video. DJI VP of Policy & Legal Affairs Brendan M. Schulman says the simulated drone strike was “staged” to “create a scenario inconceivable in real life.” DJI argues that the closing speed is unrealistic.

Addendum: See the following article for a rebuttal of the DJI claims:

An Aeronautical Lesson for DJI’s lawyer, Brendan Schulman

Uber Plans To Launch Food-Delivery Drones

The Wall Street Journal reports that Uber plans to launch a food delivery service using drones by 2021. Uber had a job posting for an operations manager to handle delivery drones but later removed it from its website.

Alaska Partners OK’d for BVLOS Drone Testing

The FAA gave approval to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and its partners to routinely test drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). The UAF Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) and its collaborators are conducting missions near Deadhorse, Alaska. The first flights are monitoring parts of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

ParaZero Announces the First Ever FAA Waiver for Flight Over People with a Parachute System

ParaZero Israel Ltd announced that the first FAA Part 107 waiver for flight over people with a parachute system was granted to Botlink. Botlink installed ParaZero’s SafeAir System on a DJI Phantom 4 under the UAS Integration Pilot Program lead by the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Land Rover Equipped with Drone Joins Red Cross

The Austrian Red Cross disaster response team is using a Land Rover Discovery search and rescue vehicle. Designed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations under “Project Hero,” the vehicle includes a drone that can take off and land while the Discovery is moving. The octocopter features a long-range thermal imaging camera that can detect a person as far away as 440 meters

Mentioned

Congress Passes Bill That Lets the U.S. Govt Shoot Down Drones

• H.R.302 – FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
• DIVISION H—PREVENTING EMERGING THREATS
• Sec. 1602. Protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft 
• Sec. 1603. Protecting against unmanned aircraft.

Skyward urges the industry to think Universal Traffic Management, Ryanair CEO looks to autonomous airliners, Hoverfly introduces a new tethered drone, NYPD eyes drone threats, FAA reauthorization addresses drones, looking for a kangaroo, and testing drone impacts on an airplane wing.

UAV NewsSkyward Works to Redefine UTM as ‘Universal Traffic Management’

To this point, “UTM” has meant UAS Traffic Management, but Mariah Scott, President at Skyward, A Verizon company, says we should think of “Universal Traffic Management.”

Novartis to cut 500 UK jobs, Ryanair CEO says ‘pilot-less planes’ could become reality, and more top news

BusinessInsider reports that Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says that we’ll see autonomous planes in the next 40 to 50 years.

Hoverfly introduces new tethered LiveSky SENTRY drone

Hoverfly Technologies Inc. a manufacturer of tether-powered drones, introduced their new LiveSky SENTRY, an all-weather, military-grade UAS.

NYPD looking to the skies for drones during UN meetings

The New York Police Department had in mind the threat of a drone attack as they provided security for the recent UN General Assembly meetings.

Approved FAA Reauthorization Act Allows Government to Control, Confiscate Drones

The new FAA reauthorization act grants authorities new powers, while the Academy of Model Aeronautics says that under Section 349 [PDF] members should continue to fly in accordance with AMA’s safety guidelines.

Drones help search for runaway kangaroo in Florida

A kangaroo in South Florida named Storm escaped and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers used two drones to help in the search.

UAV Video of the Week

Even small drones, like a DJI Phantom, pose a risk to manned aircraft

The University of Dayton Research Institute’s Impact Physics Lab conducted tests designed to simulate a drone striking an airplane mid-air at 238 mph. A DJI Phantom 2 drone was launched into the wing of a Mooney M20 aircraft.

Are Drones Dangerous?

Another hydrogen fuel cell drone launches, a drone startup fails, two Chinese drone companies in a patent dispute, Flirtey defibrillator delivery drone flies, the AMA has a message for Congress, insurance drones take to the skies, and a missing woman is located with a drone.

UAV NewsBSHARK launches new hydrogen-powered drone

BSHARK and MicroMultiCopter (MMC) have partnered on a hydrogen-powered quadcopter called the Narwhal 2. The aluminum frame, foldable design drone uses an 800 Watt metal-based PEM fuel cell. Hydrogen stored in a 3.5-liter carbon fiber cylinder covered with an aluminum alloy that is good for at least 500 fillings. The Narwhal 2 fuel cell drone has a claimed two-hour flight time and the transmitters have a 30 km range.

BSHARK Narwhal 2- A $6800 hydrogen fuel cell drone

Video: BSHARK Narwhal 2- A hydrogen fuel cell drone with long flight time

For a good overview, see: Will Hydrogen Fuel the Drones of the Future? | 7 Benefits of Hydrogen Over LiPo Drones.

Drone startup Airware crashes, shuts down after burning $118M

Without advance notice, Airware told employees it was immediately shutting down operations. Airware was a drone operating system startup that had raised $118 million from investors. The company tried to manufacture their own hardware but couldn’t compete with DJI and other Chinese drone manufacturers.

Chinese netizens furious as homegrown drone companies sue each other in US

Chinese company Autel Robotics filed a formal complaint against DJI with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) claiming that DJI infringed on two Autel patents. Autel asked the ITC to ban all DJI products from being imported into the US. Thinking Autel was a US company, Chinese social media erupted. When it was understood that Autel was a local company, Chinese social media pointed their anger at Autel.

Drone Delivery Company Conducts City of Reno’s First FAA-Approved Multi-Drone Flight

Flirtey conducted its first official drone flights in Reno, Nevada under the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program. In a simulated delivery of automated external defibrillators, a single operator simultaneously piloted multiple Flirtey drones. Flirtey CEO Matt Sweeney said, “This program runs us through the end of 2020, so we expect that we’ll be regularly saving lives and improving consumer lifestyles through drone delivery in Reno even before that,” Sweeney said. “We’re talking less than 24 months.”

Risk-Based Approach for Recreational Regulations Essential in Upcoming FAA Reauthorization

From the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ Government Relations Blog: “…AMA president Rich Hanson sent letters to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, requesting they consider a risk-based approach to regulating recreational unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This would ensure the safe integration of UAS into the nation’s airspace while continuing to allow responsible model aircraft operators to fly safely.”

Congressional Update for FAA Reauthorization – 9/19/2018

Video: Congressional Update for FAA Reauthorization – 9/19/2018

New waiver for drone operations over populated areas to help State Farm® respond to damage in states impacted by Hurricane Florence

Insurance company State Farm was granted a waiver by the FAA to fly drones in four states over people and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (“BVLOS”). State Farm will use the drones to assess damage from the hurricane and process claims faster. The company says, “State Farm needs to quickly assess damage after significant weather events. Drone technology provides us with the capability to quickly deploy over a catastrophe site and assess damage from the air. The data we obtain from drone flights can be used to help us determine the severity of damage. This also allows us to place our Claims team on-the-ground and evaluate uninhabitable insured property.”

Drone deputy shows how device saved woman

A 78-year-old woman with dementia was lost in Pokagon State Park in Indiana. Teams spent eleven hours searching 1300 acres, then chief drone pilot, deputy Shafter Baker of the Noble County Sheriff’s Department was called in. He found the woman in about 30 minutes using the heat sensor on the DJI Inspire. Baker said a ground search would have taken days.

State Farm is an interested party with Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) under the FAA Integration Pilot Program (IPP).

Impossible Aerospace US-1 quadcopter, a triple-powered hybrid drone, an Amazon patent for a data services drone, more industry consolidation, flying robots and intelligent architecture, the impulse to deploy drones after a hurricane.

UAV NewsImpossible Aerospace, founded by former Tesla engineer launched a new drone with a two-hour flight time

The Impossible Aerospace US-1 features arms and a body filled with Lithium Ion battery cells. The 26-inch frame quadcopter has planned availability in the fourth quarter of 2018 at $7,000 plus accessories. With a two-hour flight time, target customers include first responders, firefighters, police, and coastguards. Impossible Aerospace is a U.S. start-up founded in 2016 by former Tesla battery design engineer Spencer Gore. The company has $9.4 million in Series A funding with backing by Bessemer Venture Partners, Eclipse Ventures, and Airbus Ventures.

This world-first drone is a fuel triple threat

University of Sydney researchers have developed a fixed-wing drone powered by a triple hybrid propulsion system – hydrogen fuel cell, battery, and a supercapacitor. The supercapacitor provides load smoothing to increase fuel cell life and also improves the dynamic response of the overall propulsion system.

A drone that’s an on-demand data server? The perfect patent for Amazon’s ambitions

The Amazon “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data Services” patent contemplates a drone that can be deployed on demand to a network user to provide enhanced data services. The drone could carry communications equipment or the user could upload data to the drone, after which the drone flies off to transfer data to a central server.

PrecisionHawk strengthens positions in energy, insurance markets

PrecisionHawk has purchased HAZON Solutions LLC and InspecTools Inc., companies that specialize in energy industry drone inspections. PrecisionHawk also announced a partnership with EagleView Technologies Inc., which provides aerial imagery and data analytics.

“Live” shapeshifting canopy uses drones to keep guests in the shade

The University of Stuttgart “Cyber Physical Macro Materials” project used flying robots to create intelligent architecture. The prototype is an adaptive canopy that changes its configuration as the sun changes position. A self-supporting roof structure has a canopy made of smart-panels, which connect with autonomous drones. The drones use grippers to assemble the panels as needed to maintain a shaded area throughout the day. Another algorithm can detect people underneath and change panels to keep the crowd cool.

Self-Deploying Drone Pilots a Problem for Hurricane Response Efforts

Drones have proven themselves to be valuable for emergency management, such as after hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and natural and man-made disasters. Well-intended drone pilots are tempted to launch, but “most drone operators do not possess the fundamental training, skills, and experience to be truly effective.” Drone flights can interfere with public safety and government agencies, and critical infrastructure providers such as power or telecommunications companies. Drone pilots can find also find themselves part of the problem and become stranded without food, water, and gas. Disaster response requires training, coordination with authorities, and deployment based on orders.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety created the North Carolina Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Disaster Response Database that “provides local Emergency Managers and First Responders with a list of qualified UAS pilots that are willing to provide services to their community. Participating UAS pilots have successfully completed their FAA Part 107 qualification and are NCDOT Certified Government Operators.”

U.S. Navy selects the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, Boeing conducts synchronized drone flights in Australia, an IBM drone delivery patent, an FAA Drone Integration Pilot Program update, a new Cape May County drone facility, flying drones in India, and drones and law enforcement.

UAV NewsNavy Picks Boeing to Build MQ-25A Stingray Carrier-Based Drone

Boeing has won the $805 million contract for four MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tankers. The company will design, develop, fabricate, test, deliver, and support the aircraft. First flight is planned for 2021 with initial operational capability on carrier decks in 2024. An eventual fleet of 72 Stingrays is planned, at a total program cost of around $13 billion.

Boeing Completes Synchronised UAV Flight Tests in Australia

Boeing completed autonomous air missions with five UAV test beds. Only six months ago, Boeing established a large autonomous systems development program in Queensland in partnership with small and medium-sized companies, issuing AU$2.3 million in contracts with 14 Queensland businesses. Boeing has partnered with the Queensland Government under the Advance Queensland Autonomous Systems Platform Technology Project.

Coffee delivery drone patented by IBM

The patent contemplates a drone that detects the “cognitive state” of office workers to determine when they need coffee. The drone could then lower cups of coffee on an “unspooling string,” or deliver hot coffee in a sealed bag, or even dispense coffee directly into the worker’s cup.

Uncontacted Amazon tribe are revealed for the first time in stunning drone footage filmed by researchers – who then left them to their isolation

A previously unknown and uncontacted indigenous Brazilian tribe was captured in a drone video. The images come from a three-week expedition in 2017 but were just released. The expedition was responding to reports of illegal hunters threatening tribes.

Feds, NCDOT launch drone pilot over WakeMedFirst in flight: Drone delivery lands on the roof of WakeMed in Raleigh

Under the FAA’s Drone Integration Pilot Program (IPP), Matternet and WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina are flying a drone to collect data on flying in urban environments. The Matternet drone flew autonomously on a pre-programmed route over people carrying vials of water (standing in for blood) and other medical samples.

Cape May County awarded $3M federal grant to build drone facility

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Cape May County was awarded a $3 million grant to build a 20,000-square-foot multi-tenant drone facility. Officials believe this will create 130 jobs and generate $1.9 million in private investments. Each tenant will get a 5,000 square-feet space for offices and manufacturing. No word on project start date or completion date.

Flying drones to be legal in India from December 1

Civilian use of drones in India are currently restricted by the Directorate General of Civilian Aviation, but now the Ministry of Civil Aviation has finalized a national drone policy. “No Drone Zones” are defined around airports, near the international border, certain government buildings, strategic locations, military installations, and other locations. Registration is required for owners and pilots, and permission is required for each flight through an app that provides instant digital permits. Any drone without a digital permit to fly will not be able to take off.

5 ways LE can prepare for a drone attack

PoliceOne offers advice for law enforcement: know who can fly what and where, learn the difference between hobbyist and commercial drone operations, establish protocol for drones, get UAS and counter-UAS training, and treat counter-UAS like every other threat law enforcement faces.

Denver Police Department Shelves Drone Program Amid Public Concerns

The Denver Police Department recently bought a drone to photograph crime scenes and collect potential evidence. But public concern over invasion of privacy and civil liberty issues and caused the Denver police program to abandon the program for now. Recently, Fairfax County in Virginia delayed its drone program over citizen worries.

A solar-powered quadcopter, a drone assisting in the study of whales, using drones to fight cocaine, capturing intruder drones, improving crop yields with a drone service, and a quadcopter with legs.

UAV NewsAsia’s first fully solar-powered drone lifts off

This prototype solar-powered quadcopter was developed by the engineering students at the National University of Singapore. It uses 148 silicon solar cells on a four square meter carbon fiber frame. The prototype weighs and can be controlled by remote or fly autonomously.

100% solar-powered quadcopter drone

Video: 100% solar-powered quadcopter drone

The Scientists Who Study Whale ‘Defecation Events’

Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute is studying whale feces because analysis allows them “to document the reproductive and stress hormone variation of gray whales.” When a gray whale defecates, the result is a brown plume in the water. It dissipates fast and there isn’t much time to collect a sample. The researchers are using drones to follow the whale while they watch for the plume. A small chase boat then arrives to collect the sample.

Gray whale defecation event

Video: Gray whale defecation event

Columbia is now using an army of drones to poison cocaine crops

The Colombian government is testing ten drones that spray herbicide to kill crops. Loaded, the drones weigh about 50 pounds. The herbicide application is more precise than spraying from an airplane and less expensive.

The DroneHunter knocks killer drones out of the sky

Fortem Technologies is developing the DroneHunter that captures intruder drones. In an NBC video report on this Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS), Fortem CEO Timothy Bean said the DroneHunter, “patrols the airspace, detects any unwanted objects in the airspace, enemy drones or other robotics, pursues them, and then safely captures them and tows them away to a safe location.” DroneHunter autonomously detects intruder drones, shoots a net at 80 MPH to a target drone up to 25 feet away, captures the enemy drone and carries it away.

Company promotional video (see the NBC report for the DroneHunter in action):

Fortem Technologies: Enabling the Benefits of a Drone WorldPollen Systems Launches Drone-Based Data and Analysis Solution to Improve Vineyard and Crop Yields

Pollen Systems Corporation in Bellevue, Washington announced a managed service that helps farms and vineyards monitor their crops. Subscribing farms and vineyards get weekly visits by a certified Drone Technologist. The Pollen Scout UAV captures RGB, NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge), and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) images. These help farmers identify issues with crop growth, irrigation problems, pests, and diseases. The Pollen Scout is already flying at several early adopter vineyards in Washington State.

Watch this delightful aerial robot dance with its dangly legs

University of Tokyo researchers have developed a quadcopter with spindly legs. The Aerial-Biped senses the forward velocity of the quadcopter and automatically manipulates the legs through servos – giving it a dancing-like motion. Paper: Aerial-biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor. Abstract:

“We present a biped robot which can move agiler than conventional robots. Our robot can generate bipedal walking motion automatically using the proposed method. By using a quadrotor for balance and movement it is possible to make an agiler movement, and generate a gait interactively and in real time according to the motion of the quadrotor using the optimized control policy of the legs. Our system takes the velocity of the quadrotor as an input and legs motions are produced so that the velocity of the foot in contact with the ground to zero, and bipedal walking motion is generated. The control policy is optimized using reinforcement learning with a physics engine.”

Aerial-Biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor

Video: Aerial-Biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor

Our guest owns a commercial drone company, provides drone training, and produces a podcast where he interviews other commercial drone operators.

Guest

Chris Anderson is the CEO of The Drone Trainer and offers online drone training courses as well as producing The Drone Trainer Podcast.

Chris has owned and operated a commercial drone operation since January 2014, working in real estate, construction, mapping, 3D modelling, inspections, and a variety of oilfield applications. Chris has provided in-person training to clients across several industries, and as of early 2017 has expanded into an online delivery platform where he’s worked with students from all around the world.

In The Drone Trainer Podcast, Chris interviews drone pilots from all over to uncover how they market their business, what equipment they fly, the challenges they face, and tips for succeeding as a commercial drone pilot.

We talk with Chris about the background and experience of the people who are starting their own drone business. That includes their business objectives, the market they focus on, the equipment they use, and the challenges they face. Chris tells us about the online video training resources he offers, and we touch on the future outlook for the industry.