Amazon isn't the only company to select northern Virginia for its second headquarters. On a smaller scale, uAvionix has announced plans to establish an office location in Leesburg, Virginia. Known as “HQ2,” the location was selected after uAvionix compared important criteria such as transportation options, talent availability, and local craft beer quality during a nationwide search for the perfect location. Expected to open in Feb. 2019, HQ2 will focus on business operations, development, and regulatory engagement, especially in the UAS market.

Robotiq, which provides tools and software for the collaborative-robotics market, has announced that it raised $31 million in funding during its first round of institutional financing. The funding will be used to develop products, expand internationally, and enhance support of the company’s partner ecosystem. Robotiq develops equipment such as specially designed, plug-and-play “grippers” that can handle manufacturing tasks previously done by human hands. The company also develops force sensors, camera technology and related software, which can be used to help with a variety of manufacturing tasks such as picking up and placing certain components or products, light assembly, finishing, and quality testing.

Cape, which builds software that unlocks the “true potential of drones,” has partnered with Consortiq to provide its customers access to best-in-class UAS training and management consulting services. One of just three commercial companies certified to deliver training for AUVSI’s Top Operator Program (TOP), Consortiq was also awarded first place in the Training & Education Organization category during AUVSI’s inaugural Xcellence Awards earlier this year.

In an effort to help assess the environmental impact of the Woolsey wildfire in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area of Southern California, AeroVironment is offering its UAS services to support the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program. AeroVironment Commercial Information Solutions Unmanned Aircraft Systems flight operations and Geographic Information Science teams have launched a comprehensive UAS-based aerial imaging and environmental impact study to gauge fire damage in key areas of the park. The aerial imagery data collected will be used for a variety of purposes, including to quantify oak tree mortality and vegetation stress, and to document the dramatic changes in park visitor experience.