The variety of images that might surface in one’s mind when someone utters the term “robotics” has exploded in recent years – from autonomous vacuum cleaners to spinal surgery systems to military-grade explosive disposal solutions. For some, however, the term conjures something darker: a landscape of pervasive airborne surveillance, so-called “drones” keeping tabs on average citizens in
A poll conducted by Monmouth University last month shows that the U.S. public supports certain domestic uses of unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly applications related to search and rescue. However, most Americans haven’t heard a lot about the use of UAVs by law enforcement within the U.S. and harbor some privacy concerns. Of the individuals surveyed,
In July, AeroVironment’s Puma AE became one of the first two small unmanned aircraft systems to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial missions. At AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems conference earlier today, the company shared a new milestone, reporting that an in-development solar-powered version of the Puma AE lasted more than nine hours during a
Alaska-based Fairweather LLC, which provides a variety of support services in remote regions of Alaska, reported yesterday that it has acquired majority ownership of VDOS (Virtual Data Operations Support), a provider of manned and unmanned remote sensing and data collection services. Fairweather provides marine science, medical, aviation, meteorological and expediting support to Alaska’s natural resource
AeroVironment Inc. reported today that it has received a first-of-its-kind approval from the Federal Aviation Administration that permits operators to fly commercial missions using one of its small unmanned aircraft systems. This marks the first time the FAA has approved a hand-launched unmanned aircraft system for commercial missions. The company received the “Restricted Category” rating
DreamHammer, the company behind the Ballista drone operating system, reported today that it has completed a series of successful demonstrations of its technology with the U.S. Defense Department and UAS prime contractors. The Business of Robotics recently wrote about how Lockheed Martin was able to successfully control multiple unmanned aerial systems using Ballista. DreamHammer says
As debate about the proper role of humans in the cockpit swirls in the wake of Saturday’s Asiana Airlines plane crash, the Navy achieved an important milestone by completing its first-ever carrier-based arrested landing. The feat was accomplished on board the USS George H.W. Bush off the coast of Virginia earlier today. According to the
When Congress passed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, it set the clock ticking toward the day when unmanned aircraft systems must be integrated into the national airspace. The target is Sept. 30, 2015, now just a little more than two years away. That fast-approaching deadline has created a new intensity in discussions
The U.S. military has increasingly turned to unmanned systems in recent years, which is naturally reflected by a larger and larger portion of total military spending going toward acquiring the systems. However, following the U.S. fiscal crisis, the Department of Defense has made it a priority to rein in these costs where it can. One
Groups that closely monitor the evolution of unmanned aircraft systems, including the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, have spotted some language in a bill making its way through Congress that would add another obstacle to the integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace. Last week, the Senate Committee on Appropriations added language to
