Read or listen to all of the headlines in one place: excerpts from the DRONELIFE drone news of the week of February 3, 2023. Click on the titles below for the full story.
Continue reading below, or listen:
NVIDIA Releases Jetson Orin NX 16 GB Module: Performance and Efficiency for Drones and Robots
NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX 16 GB module is available for purchase worldwide. Unrivaled in performance and efficiency for compact, low-power robots, the module is ideal for products such as drones and handheld devices, and can easily be deployed for advanced applications like manufacturing, logistics, retail, agriculture, healthcare, and life sciences. The Jetson Orin NX 16 GB is available for $599. The smallest Jetson form factor, the Jetson Orin NX provides up to 100 TOPS of AI performance with power configurable between 10 W and 25 W. The module grants developers 3x the performance of the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier and 5x the performance of the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX.
This week, Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the development of a compact satellite terminal for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as part of the Iris air traffic modernization program, which seeks to drive the integration of UAVs into commercial airspace. TTP will provide the major technology for a low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) terminal featuring an integrated antenna. Available later this year, the terminal will be compatible with nearly all UAVs, offering a constant, secure datalink between uncrewed vehicles, remote operators and air traffic control.
Scott Shtofman of AUVSI, talks about Drone Prepared, potential legislative opportunities, and how local and state lawmakers can position their states and localities to receive benefits of the growing UAS industry. In December, AUVSI launched their largest-ever advocacy campaign to educate state and local lawmakers on industry-supported policy solutions to integrate commercial drone operations into the national air space . Called Drone Prepared, the multi-state initiative is designed to help lawmakers ensure that their state or locality is ready for the benefits the future of uncrewed and autonomous flight.
Flytrex partner Causey Aviation Unmanned has been granted a Part 135 Air Carrier Certification. The FAA’s Standard Part 135 Air Carrier Certification is the means that the FAA uses to certify commercial drone delivery services. The process is adapted from the certification process for small commercial manned aircraft operations. Part 135 certification is the only path commercial drone delivery beyond visual line of sight. The process is rigorous: only four other companies, including Alphabet’s Wing, UPS, Zipline and Amazon Prime Air have been granted a Part 135 Certification. “With this part 135 Certification, Flytrex and CAU will further expand their drone delivery service nationwide – eventually offering food, drinks and other goods to the more than 82 million eligible back and front yards across the U.S,” says Flytrex.
Drone Reality Show Goes Inside a Survey of the Pearl River
Tice Engineering has conducted a surveying project of 150 acres surrounding Jackson, Mississippi’s Pearl River to examine flood zones and inspect Bridge scour. The team’s efforts are documented in “Down to Earth,” a three-episode series demonstrating how real surveyors collect data and convert it into deliverables in spite of challenging and dangerous conditions.
Airspeeder Electric Flying Car Racing Series on Fox Sports Australia
Electric flying car racing series Airspeeder has announced a two-year broadcast content deal with Fox Sports Australia to bring exclusive flying car racing content to Australian audiences. The new programming lineup includes highlights from the first Airspeeder EXA Series Race in South Australia, a “Finding Extreme Pilots Series,” and “How to Build a Flying Car” series exploring how Airspeeder’s eVTOL vehicles are built. Sports production company Aurora Media Worldwide also executive produced a Road to Flying Car Racing documentary, which will provide audiences with a behind-the-scenes look at the season, and the advanced air mobility technology that underpinned it.
DRONERESPONDERS and DRONELIFE Announce Monthly Webcast: The Public Safety Drone Review
The Public Safety Drone Review is a new monthly resource for the public safety community. This free event will be held live on February 7, 2023 at 3pm EST: and on the first Tuesday afternoon of each month going forward. The Public Safety Drone Review is a FREE Webinar Series, sponsored by DRONELIFE. Hosted by DRONELIFE Editor Miriam McNabb and veteran public safety officer Tim Martin, The Public Safety Drone Review will be a 1-hour conversation on the drones, technology, trends, and current news that impact public safety. With occasional guest speakers, Miriam and Tim will address the newest developments in the use of unmanned systems – and address or research questions from the audience. After the live event, find The Public Safety Drone Review on the DRONELIFE TV YouTube channel.
BVLOS Multi-Drone Missions in Urban Area: FlightOps OS, FlyTech IL Trial for Israeli Police
Multi-drone operating system FlightOps recently partnered with drone operator FlyTech IL to conduct the first ever multiple drone operations in an urban area. As part of an operational trial for the Israeli Police, drones were deployed in Ramla and Lod, two Tel Aviv suburbs with a combined population of 154,000. Two drones served as first responders managed by FlyTech’s Yahav Preiss, the first commercial drone pilot in Israel licensed to operate beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Wondering How to Break Into the Drone Industry? The Ultimate Drone Professional Guide
Drone industry veteran Brian Pitre’s new e-book, “The Ultimate Drone Professional Guide,” sheds light on various aspects of the drone industry. An early adopter of commercial drone technology and the CEO of SkyOp, Pitre is the designer of one of the first comprehensive drone education platforms. His book is currently available on most popular digital book platforms, in print, and as a free online version.
As commercial drones continue to expand and drone technology evolves, the misuse of drones remains an important risk factor to the burgeoning industry. We asked D-Fend to review the last year in counter drone technology – and let us know what’s coming in 2023. Here, CMO Jeffrey Starr calls out notable drone incidents, discussed the major developments in the cUAS industry, and explains how the requirements are changing.
Streamlining the BVLOS Approval Process: Percepto’s Regulatory Milestone
Percepto has announced a first-of-its-kind exemption denial from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The denial enables Percepto to operate Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the presence of humans onsite, removing an exemption process that has previously been required to allow for remote pre-flight check under Part 107. In the past, the FAA has required both a Part 107 waiver approval and an exemption to 14 CFR Sections 107.15 (condition for safe operation) and 107.49 (preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operation) in order to conduct UAS BVLOS operations without humans onsite.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
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