On Thursday, June 13, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that “removes unnecessary obstacles that hinder the development of autonomous vehicle technology.”
The bill, CS/HB 311: Autonomous Vehicles, removes barriers to the advancement of autonomous vehicles, and establishes a statewide statutory framework.
“Signing this legislation paves the way for Florida to continue as a national leader in transportation innovation and technological advancement,” Governor DeSantis says.
Government
Government
Australian Government purchasing second MQ-4C Triton UAS from Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman has announced that the Australian government will purchase a second MQ-4C Triton UAS from the company.
The UAS will be delivered through a cooperative program between Northrop Grumman and the United States Navy.
“Northrop Grumman is excited to develop this unrivaled capability for the Royal Australian Air Force,” says Doug Shaffer, vice president and program manager, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman. “Triton will provide the Australian Defence Force a high-altitude, long-endurance system for intelligence, reconnaissance and broad area surveillance missions to enhance the security of Australia’s borders.”
Kraken Robotic Systems to deliver ThunderFish 300 AUV to Canadian government
The government of Canada has awarded Kraken Robotic Systems Inc. a $1 million contract for the company’s ThunderFish 300 autonomous underwater vehicle.
Kraken’s ThunderFish 300 AUV, which was initially pre-qualified in April 2018 under the Canadian government’s Build in Canada Innovation Program, is expected to be delivered to Kraken's test partner, Defense Research and Development Canada, in Halifax in the second quarter of 2019.
DroneUp and Vintun partner to provide UAS services for U.S. Government
On-demand drone pilot service provider DroneUp LLC has announced a partnership with Vintun LLC to provide UAS services for the United States Government.
A provider of a number of different services for various military and government organizations, Vintun has also developed Vintun Drone-as-a-Service (VDaaS). DroneUp will use its extensive global pilot network to serve as the UAS service provider to Vintun.
DroneUp says that its patent-pending platform, Mission Match, enables VDaaS’s participants to locate, qualify and deploy the right UAS pilot for the right mission. The entities will acquire, process, and deliver actionable aerial data for different agencies and organizations within the U.S. government at the highest levels.
Canadian government invests $40 million in BlackBerry QNX for next generation of connected and autonomous vehicles
In an effort to establish Canada as a global leader in cybersecurity and automotive software for connected and autonomous vehicles, the Government of Canada has announced that it will invest $40 million in BlackBerry QNX to develop safe and secure software systems for the next generation of connected and autonomous vehicles.
BlackBerry QNX, which is a business unit of BlackBerry Limited, will create more than 800 new middle class jobs in Canada over the next ten years, with plans to maintain nearly 300 more.
The company will also provide new skills development and learning opportunities to help train Canadians for the jobs of tomorrow, and keep the country competitive in today’s global economy.
From Unmanned Systems Magazine: Cherokee Nation Businesses sees drone age full of opportunities
Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), through its team of unmanned systems operating companies, provides government customers with actionable information through advanced data analytics.
In the iPhone age, the miniaturization of components and sensors have made every individual a globally connected data source, and unmanned aircraft systems have become an extension of that network by putting sophisticated payloads on ever-smaller platforms flying in otherwise unnavigable areas. With over 100,000 Part 107-certified pilots utilizing airspace to fly more than one million registered UAS, we are witnessing a growth in aviation that hasn’t been seen since the first golden age of aviation.
County of Cape May, New Jersey awarded $3 million grant to build UAS facility
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding the County of Cape May, New Jersey a $3 million grant to help build a 20,000 square foot multi-tenant building.
The facility, which will be located within the Cape May County Airport, will help fulfill the needs of companies in the UAS industry.
“Building the new ‘tech village’ right at Cape May County Airport will not only immediately create good-paying jobs, the final training facility will empower entrepreneurs and businesses in the fast-growing field of unmanned aerial vehicles,” says New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.
Drones and Droids: Unmanned Systems at Work
AUVSI Cascade & Big Bend Community College Present
Drones and Droids:
Unmanned Systems at Work
Please join us at Big Bend Community College for the Pacific Northwest's premier unmanned systems event "Drones and Droids: Unmanned Systems at Work" April 11th and 12th. Hear experts from industry, government and academia provide the latest updates on unmanned systems legislation, policies and technologies. You'll hear from a great lineup of experts in legislation, policy, technologies and training, including:
Media Advisory: Webinar on Drones for Government Operations, Jan. 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 17, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
Media Advisory: Webinar on Drones for Government Operations, Jan. 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786