Drones search for illegal loggers in the Amazon. Max Messinger holding his flying wing drone. (via NPR)
Companies, like Amazon, are trying to adapt drones for various services, but the public is still hesitant to fully accept them. They are often perceived as dangerous and invasive. What they don't know is they can be used for more than getting your package on time. The Amazon Basin Conservation Association in Peru is using a custom UAV to scan large portions of the rain forest to search for illegal logging and mining, which has reduced thousands of acres to bare soil. It finds potential targets using satellite images, flies the drone to the specific area using GPS, and can find the tracts where tree poachers and gold miners work. Currently, the team is using a custom-designed “flying wing” foam drone created by Wake Forest University grad student Max Messinger. This technology allows the association to keep an eye on the skies and hopefully, it will keep the rain forest safe.
easyJet uses drones for efficient plane inspections. This drone inspects planes between flights. (via BBC)
UK-based easyJet is another company eager to embrace drone technology. They recently completed a testing period which used camera equipped quadcopters to inspect its planes. This allowed engineers to analyze footage the drones have collected by flying around the aircraft between flights. Since these inspections are usually carried out manually by engineers, using the pre-programmed drones may help the airline save both time and money. This routine is currently in the trial phase, but the company hopes to make it part of their standard procedures in the next 12 months. easyJet is also experimenting using 3D printing to replace interior aircraft parts, such as armrests.
Introducing a drone that can see and avoid obstacles. Watch the drone duck and dodge obstacles like a pro. (via DJI)
Multi-million dollar corporations aren't the only ones having fun with drones. The technology is available to the average Joe, but they're usually limited in seeing their surroundings. That's about to change with DJI's first guidance system. This combination of ultrasonic sensors and stereo cameras allows the drone to detect objects up to 65 feet away and keep the drone at a preset distance. This system would allow drones to move around cities, deliver packages, and capture news footage without the fear of it running into obstacles. It's already being used on DJI's new Matrice 100 drone, which is developer friendly made to be modified for certain tasks across different industries. It can also act as a testbed for experimental work. Hopefully, more drones take advantage of this technology and reduced the number of drone crashes.
NASA hopes to control and communicate with drones via cellphone networks. NASA has a way to use cellphone towers to communicated with drones. (via NASA)
NASA also wants to prevent drone crashes and it's revealed some ideas to go about doing so. It wants to connect drones to a control system while flying, then “geo-fence” them off from restricted areas. One way it can go about this is by communicating via cellphone networks like Verizon. A central system would use these networks to transmit information to the drones and help them steer away from restricted areas and other aircraft. Right now, NASA are in the initial stages of testing out this method of communication, but it thinks using cellphone tower technology may work to “track and monitor both commercial and civilian aircraft.” With concern about the NSA and invasion of privacy, NASA assures the system wouldn't track or interfere with cellphone communications.
Military is testing drones that fit in the palm of your hand. Don't be fooled by looks, this is not a toy. (via Military.com)
It's no secret that the military is taking advantage of the latest drone technology, but now they're currently testing drones so small they fit in the palm of your hand. The PD-100 Black Hornet 2 weighs 18 grams with cameras, both regular and thermal. Though it can only fly up to 25 minutes with a range of two miles, it can be flown autonomously with its GPS or manually controlled. The device, designed by the Norwegian company Prox Dynamics, has been used by the British military and now the US military is showing and interest. Though it looks like something you'd find at Toys R Us, the device will cost you a hefty $40,000 for large orders. It may be expensive, but the tiny drone which can be worn on the body and is ideal for covert missions.
Students in China won't be able to cheat when this drone's around. Students beware, this drone is always watching for cheaters. (via Ecns)
Plagiarism is frowned upon in schools around the world, but every year students test the waters by cheating their way through numerous tests. Now, students in China need to be wary of this practice. The National Higher Education Entrance Exam, known as gaokao, is held yearly and determines which students will get into the top universities. It's known as the world's toughest exam and proves to be stressful for those taking it. Since it is so difficult, some resort to cheating by capturing their test questions and sending them to someone outside and receiving the answer via earpiece. China wants to discourage this activity and one province is using a drone to monitor radio activity. If a disturbance is detected, it will alert invigilators and determine the culprit's location. If they are caught, penalties include suspension form taking tests for three years and expulsion from school. This should make students think twice before they try to cheat the system.
AirDog will launch its camera tracking drone this summer. Check out how AirDog works. (via Airdog)
AirDog, a camera drone that follows and tracks you autonomously no matter where you go, is almost ready for the masses. Though it was originally scheduled to ship several months ago, the company has confirmed the drone will officially launch on August 31 for $1,295. Those who backed the device in the crowdfunding campaign will be receiving theirs first. Currently, the company is working out the final kinks, such as improving the connection to the wearable leash that allows it to follow you. But AirDog isn't the only tag-along drone on the market. There's also the Hexo + drone, but it won't ship til fall, so you'll have to wait if you want to figure out which device will capture the best footage.
Meet Solo, the quadcopter that aims to make aerial videography easy. Solo can work with any modern GoPro camera making it easy to capture video. (via 3DR)
Airdog and Hexo+ aren't the only aerial drones on the market. 3D Robotics is preparing to launch Solo, a ready to fly quadcopter which captures video from any modern GoPro camera and streams it directly to phones or tablet with 3DR's optional 3-axis Solo gimbal. Maximum flying time is 20 minutes with a camera and gimbal attached and 25 minutes without them. Video can be enabled directly from the camera giving the ability to start and stop recordings while the drone is in flight. An added plus for the Solo are how updates to its firmware can be installed wirelessly unlike most drones out there. There's also a top loading battery making replacing them quick and simple. With so many aerial drones to choose from expect to see more flight inspired videos on Youtube.
Can this drone really saves lives? Watch as this drone delivers a defibrillator in one minute. (via Alecmomont)
Is it possible for drones to save lives? Alec Momont seems to believe they can. A graduate student from TU Delft is currently working on an ambulance drone that has the ability to reach its destination within one minute as opposed to the typical ten minutes it takes an ambulance van. Equipped with a defibrillator, webcam, and loudspeaker, the device makes it so remote doctors can survey the scene and walk users through the process of attaching the shock pads and properly using the defibrillator. The drone can also transform into a compact toolbox containing supplies for advance treatment. The drones aren't autonomous, but the Dutch creator hopes to have them stationed in different parts of the city. The product is just a prototype now, but may launch in five years at about $20,000 a piece. We'll have to wait and see if this changes the way we think about emergency services.
Enrique Iglesias cuts open hand trying to catch drone during his show. Enrique Iglesias gives the crowd what they want with a bloodied hand. (via AP)
Singer Enrique Iglesias recently learned concerts and drones don't mix. At a recent show in Tijuana, he tried to grab a camera drone and give his fans a “point of view” shot, which has worked in the past. He wasn't so lucky this time since he sliced his hand doing the stunt. Though it sounds painful and a good amount of blood was involved, the singer seemed to be okay as he continued to perform for another half-hour with a bloodied hand even though he was advised to end the show early. He was later rushed to the airport where an ambulance was waiting for him. Just goes to show drones are not to be taken lightly.
C
See more news at:
http://twitter.com/Cabe_Atwell