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InterDrone adds content and networking events for key unmanned aerial vehicles sectors

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InterDrone, the international drone conference and exposition, has further expanded its enterprise-specific content with the addition of the “Enterprise After Hours” and vertical-specific tracks throughout the show.

InterDrone, which is the largest commercial drone show in North America, will be held September 5-7 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, and is expected to draw more than 3,500 unmanned aerial vehicles professionals from around the world.

The Enterprise After Hours will take place in the evening on Wednesday, September 5, and are concurrent special networking events with dedicated rooms and discussion in the following verticals:

  • construction;
  • aggregates and mining;
  • inspection, which will include both energy and infrastructure inspection;
  • precision agriculture;
  • public safety; and
  • surveying and mapping.

[Read more…] about InterDrone adds content and networking events for key unmanned aerial vehicles sectors

Drones are bridging the gap in US inspection technology

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Drones and non-destructive testing devices are shaping the future of bridge inspection and rehabilitation, by helping to improve project safety, reduce costs, and create more efficient and sustainable methods.

There are critical infrastructure needs across North America, especially when it comes to bridges. In the U.S., for example, over 54,000 U.S. bridges are structurally deficient, which is nearly 9% of all bridges across the country.

Not only that, but assessing the current state of bridge infrastructure requires an increasing amount of time and resources – and there are no shortage of safety concerns.

[Read more…] about Drones are bridging the gap in US inspection technology

Opinion: Robots help close the gap between designing and making

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Andrew Watts, CEO Newtecnic, discusses the construction industry’s move towards robotics and mass-customization that brings designers and makers together for positive disruption within and beyond the industry

Digitalization, robotics and automation, have produced significant quality and productivity benefits in manufacturing over several decades.

In construction, however, while digitalization has very successfully automated design, the disconnect between designing and making is ripe for an industrial revolution.

And while innovative product manufacturers use technology to move from mass-production to mass-customization, the construction industry is only just picking up on DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) for repetitive mass production of standardized components.

This use of what can be considered an outmoded idea seems to be a retrograde step because the opportunity now exists for construction to deploy the very latest technology and thereby take the lead in manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robots help close the gap between designing and making

Drone software company secures over $750,000 in seed funding

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Converge, a commercial drone software provider, has raised over three quarters of a million in seed funding. The company’s initial round of funding included investors Samsung NEXT, Techstars Ventures, Kima Ventures, and other angel investors.

The commercial drone market is expected to grow to $58.3 bn as traditional industries incorporate drones to execute tasks from delivery to inspections through to emergency response.

It is the fastest growing drone market segment, however AI software is needed to move beyond intensive, hands-on planning, flying and distilling data to an automated world where drones are a seamless part of business operations.

[Read more…] about Drone software company secures over $750,000 in seed funding

Robots are stealing the world’s fish, says World Economic Forum

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A third of all fish consumed in the world are already caught illegally, and artificial intelligence and drone technologies are increasingly to blame, according to a report by the World Economic Forum into risks to the global economy.

WEF says that when the automation of illegal fishing is considered, the impact on fish stocks could be “devastating – particularly in international waters where oversight is weaker”.

Countless other areas exist where the same logic might unfold, says WEF, adding that huge short-term incentives might lead to the use of emerging technologies in ways that trigger irreversible long-term damage.  [Read more…] about Robots are stealing the world’s fish, says World Economic Forum

Fast-growing sectors within robotics and automation

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If we were to think of robotics and automation as one industry – which we at this website in fact do – we could argue that it’s one of the fastest-growing industries in the world right now.

Certainly if we were to include software automation systems – such as robotic process automation – it would probably be the biggest.

But Robotics and Automation News tends to concentrate on physical machines – such as robotic arms or autonomous vehicles – which can be seen in a typical manufacturing or logistics facility.

And we try and understand what other sectors are most closely related to robotics and automation – manufacturing and logistics being two obvious ones.

[Read more…] about Fast-growing sectors within robotics and automation

How robots and artificial intelligence will transform the mining industry

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By Joao Piexe, FN Media Group’s Safehaven.com

Drones are sweeping over the global mining industry and for good reason.

The future of mining will increasingly rely on the use of drones and automated systems, slashing costs while helping mining companies find and dig up more gold, silver and other metals and minerals.

According to a 2015 survey of 190 mining companies around the world, about two thirds of them were aiming to integrate remote operations and monitoring centers into their operations.  [Read more…] about How robots and artificial intelligence will transform the mining industry

Natilus raises new funds to launch pilotless freight aircraft

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Natilus, a manufacturer of large aircraft drones, has closed a second round of seed funding with investment from Starburst Ventures, Seraph Group, Gelt VC, Outpost Capital and Draper Associates.

The funds – the amount was not disclosed – will go toward what the company calls its “aggressive scaling strategy”, with the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved flight for its 30-foot prototype scheduled for late 2017, and a commercial market launch in 2020.

Just as the long-haul freight sector has made huge strides in efficiency gains and cost reduction due to technology innovation, Natilus says the $15.5 trillion global freight market is poised for disruption as it strives to offer customers more cost-effective delivery solutions beyond the decades-old vessels and aircraft which serve as its primary sources of transport.  [Read more…] about Natilus raises new funds to launch pilotless freight aircraft

Game of Drones: An epic infographic by RS Components

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Drones are set to become a multi-billion dollar industry over the next few years, and with the likes of Amazon, Walmart and Google all developing UAV technology it seems the fight for the ‘drone crown’ is fully under way.

But what industries are already embracing drones and what stand out devices are they developing?

This infographic, produced by RS Components, provides a bird’s eye view of the drones sector.  [Read more…] about Game of Drones: An epic infographic by RS Components

Sintef develops drones and robotics technologies for unmanned surveillance and operation of salmon farms

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A Norwegian technology research company called Sintef has been developing drones and other robotics technologies to help salmon and aquaculture farmers manage their operations. 

In one example, an underwater remotely operated underwater vehicle – often called an ROV – is being utilised to manage a farm which has 200,000 salmon fish.

Salmon and fish farming in general is a huge industry in Norway, which is said to be one of the largest – if not the largest – salmon suppliers in the world.  [Read more…] about Sintef develops drones and robotics technologies for unmanned surveillance and operation of salmon farms