Robotics & Automation News

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Caltech unveils flying robot that transforms into road vehicle in mid-air

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The ‘morphorobot’ was ‘inspired by nature’, say its developers

Specialized robots that can both fly and drive typically touch down on land before attempting to transform and drive away. But when the landing terrain is rough, these robots sometimes get stuck and are unable to continue operating.

Now a team of Caltech engineers has developed a real-life Transformer that has the “brains” to morph in midair, allowing the dronelike robot to smoothly roll away and begin its ground operations without pause.

The increased agility and robustness of such robots could be particularly useful for commercial delivery systems and robotic explorers. [Read more…] about Caltech unveils flying robot that transforms into road vehicle in mid-air

Matternet receives approval to operate its drone in Saudi Arabia

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Matternet, the developer of an urban drone delivery system, has been approved by Saudi Arabia to operate its M2 drone within the region – it is the first drone operator to receive such approval.

The approval was granted by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) after the agency determined that the M2’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification issued by the US met GACA airworthiness standards.

Matternet’s M2 drone delivery system became the first to achieve FAA Type Certification in September 2022. [Read more…] about Matternet receives approval to operate its drone in Saudi Arabia

Wing and DoorDash to launch drone delivery service at Dallas-Fort Worth malls

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Santa won’t be the only one flying through the skies with boxes full of goodies this holiday season.

Commercial drone specialist Wing is excited to announce that it’s partnering with DoorDash and Brookfield Properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, offering ultra-fast drone delivery from local malls just in time for the holidays.

Launching at Brookfield Properties’ Stonebriar Centre in Frisco and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, this will be a first-of-its-kind service for American shopping malls. More than 50 merchants will be available for drone delivery through the DoorDash app.

Wing’s highly automated drones can deliver items and meals to doorsteps in as little as 15 minutes. The drones can navigate to the delivery location at a speed of 65 mph and a cruising height of about 150 feet before safely lowering the delivery to the ground. [Read more…] about Wing and DoorDash to launch drone delivery service at Dallas-Fort Worth malls

Drone market forecast to grow to $123 billion by 2030

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The drone economy is set to soar, with unprecedented growth on the horizon. According to global intelligence firm ABI Research, civil and commercial applications of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), aka drones, will expand dramatically, rising from just 8 percent to an impressive 32 percent of the total market by 2030.

In this timeframe, annual drone shipments will more than double from 1.5 million units in 2024 to 3.32 million, fueling an ecosystem poised to quadruple in value.

By the decade’s end, the sector will generate $123 billion in annual revenue, marking a transformative shift in the commercial and civil drone landscape. [Read more…] about Drone market forecast to grow to $123 billion by 2030

Airbound secures $1.7 million to make drone delivery economically viable ‘everywhere’

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Airbound, a drone technology startup, has closed a $1.7 million seed round led by Lightspeed to build “the world’s most efficient delivery drone”.

With its proprietary blended wing body tailsitter design, called TRT, Airbound aims to transform logistics, reducing delivery costs by two orders of magnitude compared to traditional options.

Historically, the drone delivery industry has faced challenges due to regulatory complexity and high per-mile costs, which have prevented drones from becoming the default solution for last-mile logistics. [Read more…] about Airbound secures $1.7 million to make drone delivery economically viable ‘everywhere’

Scientists build drone to follow and film bees

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A team at the University of Freiburg has built a drone capable of following and filming bees over a distance of more than 100 metres.

The data is intended to provide information about the behaviour of insects in their national surroundings. The researchers developed a new tracking technology for this purpose.

Scientists’ understanding of how insects behave in their natural surroundings is very limited. This is due, among other things, to technological difficulties attempting to follow and record the movements of bees, for example. [Read more…] about Scientists build drone to follow and film bees

QYSEA Technology launches new underwater drone

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QYSEA Technology has launched the next generation of its compact remote operated vessel, or ROV, the FIFISH E-Master, tailored for marine professionals.

Equipped with advanced sensors and sonar systems, the E-Master enhances operational efficiency and reliability for marine professionals in key industries including civil infrastructure, maritime shipping, offshore energy, underwater surveillance, and subsea explorations.

QY-MT is QYSEA’s AI-powered underwater measurement system, enabling real-time analysis of underwater objects, fractures, and damage with high accuracy and multiple measurement methods. [Read more…] about QYSEA Technology launches new underwater drone

Matternet enters home delivery market with first drone delivery in Silicon Valley

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Matternet, a developer of urban drone delivery services, is entering the home delivery market with the launch of the first-ever drone delivery service in Silicon Valley.

Matternet’s technology platform will enable ultra-fast, zero-emissions delivery of food and commercial items to consumers’ homes.

The company has been running an initial pilot since August 30, and now will expand its service in Mountain View and Sunnyvale. [Read more…] about Matternet enters home delivery market with first drone delivery in Silicon Valley

Red Cat and Palladyne embed AI into drones to enable autonomous operation

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Palladyne AI, a developer of artificial intelligence software for robotic platforms, and Red Cat Holdings, a drone technology company, are partnering to enhance the autonomous capabilities of all Red Cat’s Teal drones using Palladyne AI’s Pilot software.

Leveraging its years of innovative development work for US Government customers, Palladyne AI is developing an artificial intelligence platform for unmanned systems to enable persistent detection, tracking, and classification of objects of interest by synthesizing multi-modal sensor fusion data in real-time.

The AI product for mobile systems, known as “Palladyne Pilot”, will facilitate shared situational awareness across multiple drones and autonomous navigation when integrated with drone autopilot systems. Palladyne Pilot is expected to be made available for all Teal drones, including those already in the field. [Read more…] about Red Cat and Palladyne embed AI into drones to enable autonomous operation

FAA allows New York Power Authority to launch fully remote drone operations

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The New York Power Authority (NYPA) says it has received a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granting NYPA license to conduct fully remote unmanned aircraft operations beyond the visual line of sight of observers in any unrestricted airspace, or Class G, without prior approval.

The approved waiver expands the Power Authority’s ability to use drones to monitor and inspect its transmission, generation and canal assets throughout the state and further advances the goals of the Power Authority’s Vision2030 strategic plan.

Justin E. Driscoll, NYPA president and CEO, says: “NYPA has made significant investments in its robotics program, understanding that drones can safely and expeditiously inspect our critical infrastructure responsible for delivering power throughout New York State. [Read more…] about FAA allows New York Power Authority to launch fully remote drone operations