With the current iteration of the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) set to conclude in October, speakers during Episode II of the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium – Remotely Piloted Edition reflected on the success of the program, and the immense value that it has provided over the last three years.
“It is spectacular to be seeing this IPP coming to a successful…I don’t want to call it an ending because it’s a continuing journey, but we are coming to the final report here and we have learned a tremendous amount,” said Earl Lawrence, executive director, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA.
As Lawrence noted, the IPP itself as we know it may be concluding, but the operations that began under the program will continue, and the FAA will continue supporting those operations.
First Responders
First Responders
Weekend Roundup: August 14, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Autonomous trucking startup Locomation announced this week that it has successfully completed its first on-road pilot transporting commercial freight. In partnership with Aon, a risk management consultancy, and Wilson Logistics, a transportation logistics company, Locomation deployed two trucks hauling trailers in a driverless convoy on a 420-mile-long route stretching from Portland to Nampa, Idaho along I-84. (VentureBeat)
Skydio, DroneResponders develop safety principles to advance responsible and effective deployment of drones
Skydio has announced that it worked with DroneResponders to help develop the “The Five C’s: Principles for the Responsible Use of Drones by Public Safety Agencies,” which was released on Monday, July 20. The principles are designed to advance the responsible and effective deployment of drones.
“We take pride in developing autonomous solutions that earn the trust of our customers,” Skydio says. “But we know it’s not enough. In order to realize the full potential of unmanned flight, the public must trust the technology, and the way it is used, as much as our customers.”
Parrot, WISeKey partner to equip ANAFI drones with advanced digital security solutions
Parrot is partnering with global cybersecurity and IoT company WISeKey International Holding Ltd to equip its growing range of ANAFI drones with advanced digital security solutions from WISeKey.
Users of Parrot's ANAFI drones need the highest levels of privacy, encryption and security for their flights. The companies will leverage WISeKey’s decades of expertise and suite of proven security technologies, and combine that with Parrot's own drone security offerings to provide platforms that are not only compliant with the world’s most strict privacy regulations, but also set a new paradigm of standards for future innovations.
Weekend Roundup: June 26, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
The Royal Navy has launched its first crewless boat for general duties. The autonomous Pacific 24 is ready for testing to see how it and similar vehicles might fit into the ‘fleet of tomorrow.’ (The Royal Navy)
Weekend Roundup: May 22, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Drones were used to show thanks and appreciation for health care heroes, frontline workers and first responders on the evening of Friday, May 15 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. 140 coordinated drones lit the sky in formations depicting inspiring words and images. (Vanderbilt University)
Parrot, DroneSense partner to enhance UAS capabilities of public safety UAS teams
Parrot has announced a partnership with software company DroneSense. Using DroneSense's comprehensive drone management platform, public safety organizations can build, manage, and scale their UAS programs.
Through the partnership between Parrot and DroneSense, public safety UAS teams will be able use the full suite of DroneSense capabilities tailor-made for the needs of first responders with their ANAFI aircraft.
“It’s our mission at DroneSense to enable first responders to build and scale fully operational drone programs that harness the value of the latest drone technology safely and effectively,” says DroneSense CEO, Christopher Eyhorn.
Skydio supplies America's first responders with drones and personal protection equipment
In support of America's first responders, Skydio Inc. has launched two initiatives to provide first responders with drones and personal protection equipment (PPE).
Through the first initiative, known as the Skydio Emergency Response Program (ERP), Skydio will donate dozens of its Skydio 2 drones and associated equipment to public safety agencies across the country. Participating agencies will also have access to Skydio's in-house experts for training and support at no cost.
Skydio says that it had planned to release the ERP to help with disaster relief later this year, but the company decided to make the program available immediately to meet the needs of public safety agencies dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.
FAA highlights waivers that can help during COVID-19 pandemic
The Federal Aviation Administration is granting drone flight waivers to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an agency official, but some won't extend beyond current stay-at-home restrictions.
FAA safety liaison Rachel Carlstrom spoke during a video conference — sponsored by AUVSI's North Carolina chapter and media company MarketScale — and said various efforts within the Integration Pilot Program (IPP) are proving helpful during the COVID crisis.
SkyeBrowse, W.S. Darley partner to enhance UAS capabilities of first responders
SkyeBrowse, a 3D modeling software for UAS, is partnering with first responder and firefighting equipment manufacturer and supplier W.S. Darley, which will result in W.S. Darley providing first responders and public safety agencies with SkyeBrowse 3D modeling software, as well as its own UAS offerings.
The partnership comes at a time when it is especially crucial for first responders to spend as little time as possible on scene gathering information and evidence.
“W.S. Darley brings over 100 years of experience and a deep foothold in the public safety industry,” says Bobby Ouyang, CEO of SkyeBrowse.
