Robotics & Automation News

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EDF employs ‘unique’ underwater drone to carry out ‘first ever’ autonomous robotic inspection of wind farm foundations

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EDF has installed a uniquely customised remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to carry out what is believed to be the first autonomous wind farm foundation inspection at its Blyth Offshore Wind Farm.

The ROV, equipped and operated by researchers from the ORCA Hub, a strategic project within the National Robotarium, was modified to include cutting-edge robotic technologies for autonomous inspection capabilities and carried out visual inspections of the gravity-based foundations of three offshore turbines over the course of four days.

The inspections were undertaken as part of a partnership between EDF and the ORCA Hub to investigate a wide range of potential applications for drone technology to assess offshore wind turbines. [Read more…] about EDF employs ‘unique’ underwater drone to carry out ‘first ever’ autonomous robotic inspection of wind farm foundations

KDDI and QYSEA launch ‘world’s first sea-to-air drone’

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Japanese telecommunications operator KDDI, commercial drone manufacturer ProDrone, and underwater robotics firm QYSEA have unveiled what they say is “the world’s first sea-air integrated drone”.

The innovative vehicle, which has a footprint of less than 1 sq m, was unveiled during a flight showcase at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama.

The “revolutionary” Sea-Air Integrated Drone aims to modernize offshore and marine operations with its intelligent capabilities, high working efficiency, and minimized manpower required. [Read more…] about KDDI and QYSEA launch ‘world’s first sea-to-air drone’

Sunflower Labs provides its security drone system to range of new customers

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Sunflower Labs, a provider of autonomous security systems, has installed its Beehive System to its partners’ facilities.

The customers include ADT, 10 Federal Self Storage, Swiss Federal Railways, Security Robotics Development & Solutions, and Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Sunflower Labs’ Beehive System is a drone-in-a-box solution that can enhance and extend any security or video surveillance system. The Beehive system consists of a fully autonomous drone called the Bee and a compact base station called the Hive. [Read more…] about Sunflower Labs provides its security drone system to range of new customers

Volarious demonstrates drone that can accompany boats

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Volarious has demonstrated a new tethered drone system that enables the DJI Mavic 2 drone to autonomously take off, follow, and land safely on small vessels.

Firefighters and police drone team has been using the V-Line tethered system for the Mavic 2 drone in a variety of situation on land. The Volarious product is called the V-Line boat mode.

It can also be used in coastline surveillance, search and rescue operations. A drone can take off, follow, and land on small vessels autonomously while providing a real-time elevated view of high resolution thermal and RGB images and video streams at the comfort of the cabin. [Read more…] about Volarious demonstrates drone that can accompany boats

Cleo Robotics launches doughnut-shaped drone for indoor industrial inspection

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Cleo Robotics, which claims to be the first company to successfully develop a stable and highly maneuverable ducted bi-rotor drone, has launched its Dronut X1 for law-enforcement, industrial inspection, construction and defense markets.

Cleo’s patented thrust vectoring technology has, for the first time ever, made the hyper-efficient ducted fan design stable in flight. The Dronut’s completely enclosed propellers enable the X1 to safely bounce off objects and people and is a fraction of the size of similarly featured drones.

For industrial and commercial applications, the Dronut X1 now enables unmanned inspections of dangerous and confined spaces (tanks, pressure vessels, crawl spaces, and so on) where no drone or robot could previously go. [Read more…] about Cleo Robotics launches doughnut-shaped drone for indoor industrial inspection

Flytrex expands drone food delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina

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Flytrex, an on-demand drone delivery for food and retail, has expanded its drone delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina.

In partnership with Causey Aviation Unmanned, the Federal Aviation Administration, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, The Town of Holly Springs, and Kite Realty Group Trust, Flytrex has begun delivering food orders via drone in partnership with Brinker International – owner of Chili’s Grill & Bar, It’s Just Wings and Maggiano’s Little Italy – at the Holly Springs Towne Center to front and backyards in the neighborhood of Forest Springs.

Flytrex’s newest service caters to dozens of households in the area who have opted into the service. Flytrex will conduct all flights under Part 107, within visual line of sight, maintaining the highest safety standards. [Read more…] about Flytrex expands drone food delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina

Qualcomm launches ‘world’s first’ 5G and AI-enabled drone platform

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Qualcomm says it has unleashed “a new era of autonomous drone capabilities” with what it says is the world’s first 5G and AI-enabled drone platform.

The company says its Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform accelerates and scales development for drone manufacturers to deliver powerful, purpose-built enterprise and industrial 5G drones.

Following the success of the Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars as a key breakthrough for unmanned flight powered by the Qualcomm Flight Platform, Qualcomm Technologies continues its drone endeavours by unveiling the world’s first drone platform and reference design to offer both 5G and AI-capabilities, the Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform. [Read more…] about Qualcomm launches ‘world’s first’ 5G and AI-enabled drone platform

DroneDeploy acquires Rocos to ‘accelerate job site automation’

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DroneDeploy, a mapping and drone data specialist, has acquired Rocos, a New Zealand-based robotics software company.

The acquisition will enable DroneDeploy customers in construction, energy, agriculture, and more to deploy and orchestrate both aerial and ground robots on their job sites.

This acquisition will make physical workflow automation possible, creating more efficient and safer workplaces. [Read more…] about DroneDeploy acquires Rocos to ‘accelerate job site automation’

Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

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According to the World Health Organization, almost a third of the world’s population does not have access to fresh water.

As evidenced by the 2020 UN report on water supply and climate change in the world, water consumption will experience a 20-30 percent increase by 2050, fuelled by the constant population growth and industrial development throughout the world.

Water pollution is a serious threat to both people and water inhabitants, greatly evidenced by the ecological disaster that took place on the coast of Kamchatka in September 2020. [Read more…] about Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

Quaternium and Löweheiser claim ‘new flight record’ with Hybrix drone

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Quaternium has partnered with Löweheiser to achieve what it claims is “a new flight record” of 10 hours 14 minutes with HYBRiX drone. (See video below.)

The inventor of hybrid drones is making history again with an impressive hovering flight of 10 hours and 14 minutes with their world leading fuel-electric multirotor HYBRiX.

For this quest, Quaternium has partnered with the pioneer EFI manufacturer Löweheiser, a company that has designed the smallest fuel injection in the market, specifically optimized for unmanned aircrafts. [Read more…] about Quaternium and Löweheiser claim ‘new flight record’ with Hybrix drone