Software
Software
Lockheed Martin's new VCSi software allows operators to simultaneously control dozens of unmanned vehicles
On Feb. 20, Lockheed Martin announced the launch of its new vehicle control software, VCSi, which is a commercial software that enables operators to simultaneously control dozens of unmanned vehicles and conduct information, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
VCSi will be unveiled during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi this month, and according to Lockheed, it has several major enhancements.
VStar Systems announces new MA-C MiniPod, a rapid deployment SIGINT Sensor
VStar Systems has announced the new MA-C MiniPod, which is a pod version of the company's MA-C SIGINT Sensor.
VStar designed its MA-C Sensor System to provide signal intelligence such as “signal copy, signal identification and direction finding” to a wide variety of platforms. The MA-C system is designed to function as a “modular, scalable, flexible tactical COMINT sensor,” specifically intended to address design challenges posed by Class 2 or 3 UAVs, while also optimizing operator efficiency.
Gryphon Sensors partners with WhiteFox Defense Technologies to advance Skylight Counter-UAS System
Gryphon Sensors is partnering with WhiteFox Defense Technologies to integrate WhiteFox’s “non-jamming, non-kinetic mitigation and analysis capabilities” with Gryphon's Skylight system.
Gryphon's Skylight system provides “intelligent situational awareness for integration and security,” using multiple ground-based sensors to detect cooperative and non-cooperative targets in the airspace.
According to the companies, the resulting RF-based sensor-driven system provides an “industry leading unclassified and exportable counter-UAS system.”
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
PropelUAS has announced that it is working with Lockheed Martin and Medical Express Ambulance Service (MedEx) to “combine the very best elements of emergency management systems with the potential of tactical UAS.” PropelUAS, which is a division of Evans Incorporated, works with organizations “to assist in navigating and integrating UAS technologies into their organizations.” (PropelUAS)
AeroVironment's automated Quantix hybrid UAS for farmers now available
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that its automated Quantix hybrid UAS and AeroVironment Decision Support System (AV DSS) analytics software are now available for sale through its authorized reseller network.
According to AeroVironment, the technology is a “powerfully simple-to-use and fully integrated drone and data processing solution delivering actionable intelligence for the farm.”
Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles to supply Waymo with thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans
Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced that it will deliver thousands of its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo, to support the launch of the world’s first driverless ride-hailing service.
This will not be the first mass delivery of Pacifica Hybrid minivans from Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles to Waymo, as in 2016, the automobile company delivered 100 Pacifica Hybrid minivans, adapted for self-driving, to Waymo. 500 more were delivered in 2017.
The collaboration between Waymo and FCA engineers allowed the teams to design a “self-driving vehicle built on a mass production platform.”
Precision Aerial using UAS to survey drainage system in response to Hurricane Harvey
In partnership with The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (WJPA), Precision Aerial Compliance Solutions, LLC (Precision Aerial) is providing UAS LiDAR surveying for portions of The Woodlands drainage system in Texas following Hurricane Harvey.
Precision Aerial will evaluate current conditions along portions of Panther Creek and Spring Creek using high-end, UAS LiDAR to provide the laser assessment for the WJPA, which is the central management agency for the ten Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that serve The Woodlands in Montgomery County.
ASV Global's autonomous C-Worker 7 supports Subsea 7
ASV Global has announced that one of its C-Worker 7 class of autonomous surface vessels was successfully deployed for Subsea 7, which is a subsea engineering, construction and services company. The C-Worker 7 was used to support a pipelay operation off the coast of Egypt.
The C-Worker 7, which was equipped with a survey suite made up of a multibeam echosounder and side scan sonar, conducted touchdown monitoring in support of the Seven Antares pipelay vessel.
“The C-Worker 7 has proven to be a very capable vessel providing an excellent stable survey platform controlled by the Pipelay Vessel,” says a spokesperson from Subsea 7.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
On Jan. 24, Purdue officials and leaders celebrated the launch of the new Center for Brain-inspired Computing Enabling Autonomous Intelligence (C-BRIC). According to C-BRIC director Kaushik Roy, researchers at the center will work to develop “autonomous intelligent systems capable of reasoning and decision-making to complete mission-critical tasks without human intervention.” (Purdue)