Photo: Washington State University.

by AUVSI News 

This week in the unmanned systems and robotics world, a hotel in Japan is taking a more high-tech approach to hospitality, researchers from Washington State University are trying to integrate robotics into apple-picking operations and Forecast International projects the ground robotics market may soon be on the uptick. 



The Federal Aviation Administration approved 51 more commercial UAS exemptions this week, bringing the total number of approved operators to 797 out of about 2,100 requests.



Aeryon Lab’s SkyRanger UAS became the first small unmanned aircraft system to meet Transport Canada’s special flight operations certificate requirements. (The Record) 



NASA has developed a system of algorithms called Detect and Avoid Alerting for Unmanned Systems or DAIDALUS that processes incoming traffic surveillance sensor data and can relay alerts on potential obstacles, determine time intervals for well-clear violations and predict safe flight paths to maintain well-clear status. (Network World)



The Henn na Hotel in Japan is replacing much of its human staff with robots, including placing a robotic dinosaur at reception, to cut down on labor costs. (Silicon Republic) 



Georgia’s Macon-Bibb County’s emergency response personnel have purchased $5.7 million in unmanned aircraft from Olaeris. (UAS Magazine)



A driver rear-ended one of Google’s self-driving cars with three passengers inside, resulting in the first driverless car injury accident. (NBC Bay Area) 



The Marine Corps is pursuing a swarm of counter unmanned systems that combat other unmanned aircraft. (National Defense) 



Roboticists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have programmed Nao robots that have self awareness, tested through a variation of the classic wise man puzzle. (Tech Radar)



The U.S. Air Force in 2016 will start offering $15,000 annual bonuses to its drone pilots to combat a shortage of the personnel. (Las Vegas Sun) 



The hitchBOT, which previously made a cross-country trek across Canada, is now making a similar road trip from Salem, Massachusetts, to San Francisco. (Times Union) 



Researchers from Washington State University are testing an apple-picking robot to help supplement the harvest season, since it’s often difficult to find enough people that want to pick the fruit. (WSU News) https://news.wsu.edu/2015/07/16/wsu-engineers-scientists-prepare-to-test...



The market for ground robots may turn around in 2016, according to Forecast International. (National Defense) 



The first ever U.S. National Drone Racing Championships took place at the California State Fair with prize money totaling $25,000. (CBS News)



A hobbyist has recreated a drone version of Snoopy’s flying doghouse from the “Peanuts” cartoons. (Popular Science) 

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