Product News

Software

12 October 2023
<a href="http://www.teledyneflir.com " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teledyne FLIR</a>&mdash;part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated&mdash;announces version 1.0 of its <a href="&nbsp;https://www.flir.com/prism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prism ISP</a>, a highly optimized image signal processing software development kit (SDK) for embedded systems designed to maximize performance in thermal and multispectral applications. Designed to run on low-power GPUs from Qualcomm and NVIDIA, Prism ISP includes image-enhancing functionality for:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Noise reduction&nbsp;</li>
<li>Super-resolution&nbsp;</li>
<li>Electronic image stabilization&nbsp;</li>
<li>Infrared (IR) and electro-optical (EO) video fusion&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Turbulence mitigation&nbsp;</li>
<li>Locally adaptive tone mapping&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
The Prism ISP libraries enable integrators in the defense, commercial, and industrial markets to dramatically enhance imaging quality as part of artificial intelligence (AI) data capture at the edge, improving performance, lowering development costs, and shortening time to market. Developers, data scientists, and perception engineers can utilize Prism ISP with Teledyne FLIR market-leading thermal cores, including Boson, Tau 2, Hadron, and Neutrino.&nbsp;
In addition to Prism ISP, Teledyne FLIR has also enhanced Prism AI. This powerful, efficient perception software enables classification, object detection, and object tracking in thermal and visible light spectrums. Prism AI now provides additional high-performance models trained on the world&rsquo;s largest application-specific thermal image datasets, including ground intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), air-to-ground, and counter-drone applications, complementing the automotive software library announced last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Prism ISP is critical to thermal-based AI system development, offering an unprecedented performance while reducing development costs,&rdquo; said Dan Walker, vice president, product management, Teledyne FLIR. &ldquo;Within our end-to-end, computational imaging ecosystem featuring Prism AI, Teledyne FLIR can now support a wider array of projects and custom development that utilize low-power, embedded processors at the edge.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h5>Prism Photo Gallery</h5>
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<h5>About Teledyne FLIR&nbsp;&nbsp;</h5>
Teledyne FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, is a world leader in intelligent sensing solutions for defense and industrial applications with approximately 4,000 employees worldwide. Founded in 1978, the company creates advanced technologies to help professionals make better, faster decisions that save lives and livelihoods.&nbsp;

New Prism Software from Teledyne FLIR

Featured News

09 October 2023
The Team at <a href="https://geocue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GeoCue </a>delivers more than the best hardware and software solutions.
As the geospatial industry continues to advance rapidly, one name stands out as the professional choice in geospatial data processing software: GeoCue. Since 2003, GeoCue has earned a reputation for setting the standard in geospatial hardware and software solutions. Made in the U.S.A., GeoCue's commitment to excellence shines through its TrueView LiDAR portfolio, LP360 LiDAR &amp; photogrammetry 3D point cloud software, and the unmatched service and support embodied by the GeoCue staff.
But what sets the company apart from other geospatial providers? &nbsp;Its combination of high-quality solutions, seamless hardware integration, cutting-edge software offerings, and unwavering post-sales support, has solidified GeoCue as a trusted partner for geospatial professionals worldwide.
These four essential principles of added value distinguish GeoCue: Pre-Sales Expertise, Hardware Integration, Software, and Post-Sales Support. Through these pillars, GeoCue has successfully positioned itself as a trusted partner for customers looking for high-quality and seamless geospatial solutions.
<h5>Putting the Customer First</h5>
The foundation of GeoCue's success lies in its ability to understand and assess each customer's unique needs thoroughly. Investing in LIDAR sensors can be complex, especially for non-expert customers. To address this, GeoCue's team guides customers in selecting the most suitable and profitable geospatial solutions for their businesses. By analyzing the type of projects, the drones used, and the desired deliverables, GeoCue ensures that each customer receives a personalized solution. The company offers various options, including purchase and rental, to accommodate different requirements.
Since LiDAR remains relatively new, the GeoCue team conducts a comprehensive analysis for their customer&rsquo;s requirements and objectives. This proactive approach allows GeoCue to suggest the most suitable Lidar payload and provide a tailored solution that aligns perfectly with the client's needs.
According to Vincent Legrand, the vice president of sales, putting the customers&rsquo; needs first is paramount to success at GeoCue. &ldquo;In today's increasingly crowded LiDAR market, customers are faced with a multitude of sensor options to select from,&rdquo; Legrand explains. &ldquo;The challenge lies in ensuring they possess the most suitable tool for their specific task. Rather than focusing solely on making a sale, we differentiate ourselves by providing a comprehensive analysis of our client&rsquo;s requirements. Through this approach, we gain a profound understanding of their needs, enabling us to precisely offer the right solution for their projects.&rdquo;
<h5>Hardware Integration: Drone LiDAR and Imagery Sensors</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/3GeJFgdk4GzzlLxgpgZl9HPn5XzCACfCbShaJCSD.jpg" alt="" width="675" height="451" />
GeoCue understands that a LIDAR payload is more than just a sensor; it's a combination of key components that impact data quality. To achieve high-quality and repeatable geospatial data outputs, GeoCue ensures seamless integration of all TrueView payload components. By partnering with best-in-class suppliers GeoCue guarantees reliability, efficiency, and data consistency. This, combined with their extensive experience and expertise in payload integration and data processing, sets their solutions apart from competitors.
Clients can expect significant benefits from using GeoCue's TrueView solutions. The company offers a seamless workflow, eliminating the need to use multiple software platforms. From data collection to deliverables, GeoCue ensures data quality and repeatability, which are crucial factors for success in geospatial projects.
Furthermore, it is important for GeoCue customers to know that their hardware is designed and assembled in the United States. This localized approach allows GeoCue to provide swift and responsive customer support, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
&ldquo;Our commitment to hardware integration goes beyond just words,&rdquo; says Madelyne McNab, director of business development. &ldquo;When we say, &lsquo;designed and assembled here in the States,&rsquo; we mean that our team is hands-on in the physical assembly process. This offers us a profound understanding of our product's manufacturing intricacies, enabling us to offer unparalleled client support and efficient issue diagnosis. This sets us distinctly apart from our competitors. We don't just assemble parts; we meticulously integrate, embed, and calibrate them into our hardware. It gives us a deeper, more personal level of touch with the hardware that we're delivering.&rdquo;
<h5>Software: Putting Your Data to Work</h5>
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GeoCue's LP360 software is a standout among competitors due to its unique workflow and features. With 20 years of experience in point cloud processing, LP360 integrates the entire process from data collection to final deliverables. This comprehensive approach streamlines operations for customers, saving time and effort typically spent on navigating between different software solutions.
Unique functionalities such as LPLAS, which optimizes the visualization of point clouds, and the 3D Accuracy module, enabling precise data control and adjustments, have garnered positive feedback from customers. Additionally, the latest release of LP360 Cloud modules further enhances the customer experience by facilitating the streaming of point clouds.
Legrand understands that offering point cloud processing software is not unique to GeoCue. &ldquo;Our distinction lies in how we approach it,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;Our software, LP360, stands out through its optimization for all payloads. Continuously evolving, we introduce novel solutions and modules, such as LPLAS, LP360 Cloud, and PowerSearch, all geared toward enhancing end-user productivity. What distinguishes us further is the cohesive synergy between hardware and software development. We don't just provide an all-encompassing software ecosystem, but we also manufacture the hardware. It's this unique combination of hardware and software innovation that significantly elevates the experience for our users.
<h5>Continuing Service After the Sale</h5>
GeoCue's commitment to customer success extends well beyond the initial implementation. &nbsp;The company provides ongoing support to clients, offering technical expertise and assistance with both hardware and software aspects.
&ldquo;Our commitment to customer support stands as one of the finest in the industry,&rdquo; reveals McNab. &ldquo;Over the past two decades, this commitment has only grown stronger. Our history speaks to the ongoing enhancement of our support team. Our support representatives are not mere operators; they are skilled geospatial experts. This means that each interaction extends beyond a simple conversation &ndash; whether troubleshooting hardware or software matters, they possess a profound understanding of the tools to resolve any issue comprehensively.
GeoCue's best-in-class post-sales support is exemplified by their sales professionals' dedication to understanding customer applications and needs. With a massive customer base of loyal clients, GeoCue maintains long-term relationships, ensuring that customers are continuously equipped with the right tools to stay profitable and competitive.
In addition, GeoCue conducts regular complimentary training sessions, demonstrations, and workshops on-site and online to equip customers with the necessary knowledge and skills to maximize their geospatial investments. These sessions are conveniently located at the headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, or offices in Siegen, Germany, Toulouse, France, or S&atilde;o Paulo, Brazil.
<h5>Details Make the Difference</h5>
GeoCue's focus on added value through Pre-Sales Expertise, Hardware Integration, Software, and Post-Sales Support distinguishes them as a leading provider of geospatial solutions. Their commitment to understanding customer needs, ensuring seamless hardware integration, offering comprehensive software solutions, and providing ongoing support sets the benchmark for the geospatial industry. As the geospatial industry continues to evolve, GeoCue's commitment to excellence ensures that its customers can rely on innovative and tailored geospatial solutions for their evolving needs.
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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&nbsp;

GeoCue Sets the Standard for Geospatial Solutions

22 June 2023
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.xtend.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">XTEND</a>&mdash;the developer of XOS, a human-guided autonomous operating system that revolutionizes the way humans interact with drones, robots, and smart devices&mdash;has announced a partnership with edge-artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-vision experts <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.sightx.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SightX,</a> which will see the latter's data processing capabilities further enrich XTEND&rsquo;s award-winning XOS operating system.&nbsp;
SightX is the latest addition to XTEND&rsquo;s XOS app store, and its ground-breaking software will provide drones, robots, and smart devices on XOS with an advanced multi-object data acquisition engine. Boosting their ability to recognise and track objects, understand scenes, and analyse situations, in real time. The partnership further validates XOS&rsquo;s promise of keeping humans in the AI-driven loop of autonomous drone operations, by offering effective, practical autonomy that allows them to connect and interact with drones remotely, safely, and intuitively.
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Rubi Liani, XTEND&rsquo;s co-founder and CTO, explains: &ldquo;XOS enables true human and machine collaboration, on the ground, in any scenario. Scalable and infinitely flexible, XOS makes any drone a software defined drone, and our app store and open architecture approach means we can continue to expand our operating systems&rsquo; capabilities dramatically. SightX&rsquo;s technology has become a key component of our AI application layer, alongside our own proprietary technology and other third-party applications. In fact, our collaboration with SightX is already helping several tier-1 global customers enhance their drone operations today.&rdquo;
The XTEND&rsquo;s XOS app store is open to third-party app developers to publish and deploy their software using XTEND&rsquo;s software development kit (SDK). The store already includes applications for multiple mission types, including apps that can control a drone's position and extract data, control payloads - such as robotic claws or advanced gas or cyber detectors, or inspect faulty oil and gas industrial infrastructure. The app store also enables hardware developers to expand the capabilities of their own drones and robots according to their target market. Providing an easily deployable OS for third-party drones or robots, giving any device the ability to connect to and benefit from the capabilities of XOS and join its growing ecosystem.
Liani continues: &ldquo;As a software company, we understand the value of partnering with best-in class technology providers, like SightX, to boost our hardware agnostic operating system&rsquo;s ability to control our own or third-party drones, robots, and smart devices. That is why we believe that XOS will become the operating system of choice for anyone who is looking to maximize the potential of their drones and robotic systems, while decreasing the risks posed to their teams&rsquo; lives, or concerns around lack of human oversight.&rdquo;
Alongside XOS, XTEND also provides its own revolutionary human-guided autonomous drones, robots and smart devices, which enable any operator to perform extremely accurate manoeuvres and actions, in any environment, with minimal training. XTEND&rsquo;s systems are designed as wearable, mobile, lightweight systems with a single hand, natural hand gestures-based controller.
<h5>About XTEND and XOS</h5>
XTEND provides revolutionary human-guided autonomous machine systems that enable any operator to perform extremely accurate manoeuvres and actions, in any environment with minimal training. The company&rsquo;s patented XOS operating system fuses the best of human intelligence and machine autonomy to enhance the operator&rsquo;s abilities, and simultaneously reduce the need for physical confrontation, thereby minimizing casualties and injuries. Hundreds of XTEND&rsquo;s systems are already operationally deployed worldwide, and the company is continuously developing its XOS operating system and platforms to deliver the future of human-machine teaming to defense, HLS, and security professionals worldwide. Find out more here.&nbsp;
<h5>About STX</h5>
SightX is committed to saving lives with artificially intelligent systems. The company develops Edge AI-based applications for Aerospace &amp; Defense, increasing Autonomy, Precision, and Connectivity for Aerial, Ground, and Maritime challenges.

XTEND Partners with SightX

Military

09 June 2023
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned ordnance pose significant risks long after conflicts have ended, necessitating the crucial task of detecting and clearing these hazardous remnants. In this article, we explore the groundbreaking advancements in UXO detection through the utilization of drones equipped with magnetometers. By combining cutting-edge technology and the expertise of industry leaders, such as Alexey Dobrovolskiy, CTO of <a href="https://www.sphengineering.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SPH Engineering</a>, we delve into the definitions, challenges, and real-world applications of this innovative approach.
Let&rsquo;s discuss the transformative potential of drones and <a href="https://shop.ugcs.com/collections/magnetometers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">magnetometers</a> in revolutionizing the field of UXO detection.
<h5>Defining UXO and Abandoned Ordnance</h5>
UXO refers to projectiles, bombs, or rockets that were fired but failed to detonate for various reasons. Abandoned ordnance, on the other hand, includes explosive elements that were left behind or dropped without being used. Both terms encompass the remnants of war or ERW (Explosive Remnants of War). While UXO and abandoned ordnance are often used interchangeably, the focus of this article primarily revolves around UXO detection.
<h5>The Problem of UXO</h5>
Modern weapons, despite advancements, still have failure rates ranging from 5% to potentially as high as 40%. This means that a significant number of explosive elements remain unexploded on the battlefield.&nbsp;
&ldquo;For instance, in Ukraine, where artillery shells are used extensively, up to 20,000 shells per day are deployed, with approximately 1,000 shells remaining unexploded. This poses a long-term threat to the safety of affected areas long after conflicts have ended,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Dobrovolskiy.
<h5>Distinguishing UXO from Landmines</h5>
It's important to note that landmines are distinct from UXO. While both pose risks after conflicts, they differ in terms of classification and detection. Landmines are intentionally buried and often smaller in size compared to UXO. Moreover, they contain minimal or no ferrous metal, making them challenging to detect using magnetometers or metal detectors. Drones equipped with magnetometers, however, are effective in detecting UXO due to the presence of ferrous metal.
<h5>Real Use Case: Drone-based UXO Detection</h5>
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An illustrative example showcases the successful use of drones for UXO detection. In a large farmland field that served as a World War II frontline, a search for UXO was conducted using a drone equipped with a magnetometer. Over the course of a few days, 158 UXO items were discovered and subsequently disposed of. The scanning of the field also led to the discovery and safe destruction of a 250-kilogram bomb buried at a depth of 1.8 meters. The integrated system utilized in this project included UgCS Pro flight planning and management software, a drone with a terrain-following system, a MagDrone R3 magnetometer from a German company SENSYS, and SENSYS MAGNETO software for data processing.
<h5>The Power of Drones and Magnetometers</h5>
Drones equipped with magnetometers offer several advantages for UXO detection. They enable rapid scanning of large areas, with typical productivity reaching around one hectare per hour or even faster with multi-sensor magnetometer payloads. Drones excel in unobstructed spaces, making them ideal for surveying open fields, coastal areas, or inaccessible zones. Combining drones and magnetometers allows for efficient data collection, enhancing the overall productivity of UXO detection operations.
<h5>Limitations and Considerations</h5>
The main problem with all complex sensors (magnetometers, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://shop.ugcs.com/collections/ugcs-integrated-systems/GPR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GPR</a>, EMI detectors) is that no one can guarantee a 100% (or even any particular) detection rate of threats, especially if these sensors are employed using drones. If you repeat multiple surveys over the same area using the same sensor and same flight pattern, you may get different results in terms of list identified and classified targets.
That means that no one should interpret the results of such surveys as a guarantee of the presence or absence of ERW.
But, thanks to their capability to scan large areas without personnel entering into suspected hazardous areas, drones with magnetometers are a valuable tool for data gathering on a non-technical survey (NTS) or technical survey (TS) stage of the land release process.
While the combination of drones and magnetometers is a powerful tool for UXO detection, certain limitations must be taken into account. The amplitude of magnetic anomalies decreases with distance, making it crucial to fly the drone as low as possible, ideally one meter or less from the ground. Drones with magnetometers are facing challenges when surveying areas with dense vegetation or metallic debris. It is crucial to account for electromagnetic interference from sources like power lines or railroads, as well as the limitations of detection in areas contaminated with metallic objects. Moreover, expertise and experience play a vital role in optimizing the success rate of UXO detection using this technology. Careful planning, calibration, and ongoing training are essential to ensure accurate and reliable results in UXO clearance operations.
<h5>In Conclusion</h5>
The integration of drones with magnetometers has emerged as a groundbreaking solution in the field of UXO detection. By leveraging the capabilities of these innovative technologies, it is effective to locate unexploded ordnance, ensuring the long-term safety of affected areas. With rapid scanning capabilities, enhanced data collection, and the ability to cover vast territories, drones equipped with magnetometers offer a powerful and efficient approach to UXO detection. The collaboration of industry experts and the continuous advancement of these integrated systems are paving the way for safer and more effective UXO clearance operations worldwide.
<h5>About SPH Engineering</h5>
SPH Engineering is an expert in drone technology development, focused on developing advanced solutions for a wide range of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).&nbsp;
The company's state-of-the-art technologies are specifically designed to enhance the experience of drone-based activities like surveying, data collection, and entertainment. SPH Engineering has a significant customer base and partner network spread over 150 countries worldwide, giving a solid global presence.
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&nbsp;

Revolutionizing UXO Detection: Drones and Magnetometers Take Flight

23 February 2023
Drone automation technology leader, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="http://www.votix.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VOTIX</a>, is excited to join forces with safety avionics technology innovator, <a href="http://irisonboard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iris Automation</a>.
The partnership enables safe BVLOS flights through the seamless integration of Iris Automation&rsquo;s Casia G ground-based detect and alert system into the VOTIX cloud-based drone operating system.
This integration makes remote operations a reality for enterprises that need effective and flexible drone BVLOS deployments, from routine automated inspections of critical infrastructure to rapid mobilization seen in Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs.
"Our mission is to make BVLOS easy," says VOTIX CEO Ed Boucas. "We have integrated every aspect of drone operation in a single pane of glass so pilots can easily perform safe and secure BVLOS flights."
This hardware-software solution will feed data from the Casia G system into the VOTIX platform to provide a complete picture of the operational airspace in real-time. A key requirement to obtaining BVLOS regulatory approvals is the ability to detect non-cooperative aircraft at distance. The Casia G system fulfills this by monitoring the airspace and providing precise location and classification data of intruder aircraft, enabling automated conflict resolution via the VOTIX platform. This brings a new level of safety and mission capability to customers looking to expand their operations at scale.
VOTIX, with its pioneering "Drone Orchestration" approach, integrates all processes and systems required for a BVLOS operation. Its drone-agnostic solution enables and tracks effective C2 and live video stream, including use of cellular connectivity, integrates Casia G for Detect-and-Avoid technology, automates conflict resolution, integrates weather tracking and traffic management, controls operational limitations, automates fail-safe measures to increase safety, performs autonomous flights, enables precision landing and drone-in-a-box integration.
"To safely advance unpiloted operations, technology companies across our industry need to collaboratively deliver their innovative technologies in seamless solutions that are easy for customers to consume," says Iris Automation VP of Product, Jason Hardy-Smith. "Our partnership with VOTIX is a terrific example of that, delivering a complete platform for RPICs to safely and efficiently execute their missions.&rdquo;
Casia G creates a stationary perimeter of sanitized, monitored airspace without the need to add additional sensors or payload to the drone. Using patented computer vision technology, Casia G alerts the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) if a risk of collision is present and allows the drone to maneuver to safe zones. This eliminates the need for the pilot to maintain visual contact with the drone or to have Visual Observers (VOs) in place to monitor the skies.
A good example is the drone inspection provider <a href="https://avisight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AviSight, </a>which, using VOTIX platform, obtained two ground-breaking waivers for recurrent BVLOS inspections over several miles of Shell pipelines in the U.S. The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://votix.com/yahoo-finance-votix-software-allows-avisight-to-achieve-faa-certification-for-beyond-visual-line-of-sight-bvlos-drone-inspections-for-shell-usa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FAA approved the first waiver</a> in just nine days of receiving the application with VOTIX reports.
In December, Iris Automation received a <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.irisonboard.com/city-of-reno-third-bvlos-waiver/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third FAA BVLOS waiver</a> without the need for VOs based on a network of two separate Casia G nodes. Connecting additional nodes can significantly extend the UAS operational area while still giving customers the flexibility to move their operations to a different location quickly if needed.
<h5>More On VOTIX Drone Orchestration and Automation</h5>
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<h5>About VOTIX </h5>
VOTIX is an American drone software company that developed the first platform capable of truly delivering drone automation, orchestration and remote operation, while being hardware agnostic. VOTIX expands drone capabilities and productivity by enabling BVLOS operations, autonomous flight, precision landing and drone-in-a-box integration. VOTIX is a cloud platform that automates drone operations so you can MANAGE missions, resources and data, STREAM real-time flight videos to anyone and FLY drones remotely and autonomously from anywhere. VOTIX is the most powerful platform to support your drone operations.&nbsp;
<h5>About Iris Automation </h5>
Iris Automation is dedicated to creating an aviation environment where no two aircraft ever collide in mid-air. We leverage innovative AI-based vision technology that enables uncrewed and crewed aircraft to mitigate the risk of airborne collisions - vital for safe, scalable, and efficient operations across countless industries. Iris&rsquo; onboard and ground-based Casia systems give operators the situational awareness and automation needed to safely navigate an increasingly complex and congested airspace. We work closely with civil aviation authorities globally as they implement regulatory frameworks to advance safety and efficiency in aviation.
&nbsp;

Making BVLOS Easy

31 January 2023
<a href="https://sky-drones.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sky-Drones</a>&rsquo; mission is to accelerate the development and adoption of unmanned air vehicles for enterprise by building connected hardware and software products for drone manufacturers and commercial drone service providers.
Our offering covers everything necessary for commercial drone operation, from flight control and connectivity to cloud based fleet management software. We truly believe that the power of drones lies in perfectly matched software and hardware - and that our technology helps drone vendors reduce their time to market from years down to a few months or, sometimes, even just weeks.
Since its launch in April 2021, AIRLink has been a central component of our drone ecosystem. Standing for Artificial Intelligence &amp; Remote Link, it is the world&rsquo;s most advanced compact and fully integrated avionics device for enterprise zones. The original AIRLink 4G version, featuring AI capabilities and LTE connectivity, has been hugely successful ever since its market introduction.
<h5>AIRLink 5G&nbsp;</h5>
Sky-Drones has now built on that success to launch AIRLink 5G&mdash;a next-generation avionics device allowing manufacturers and users to rely even more on real time connectivity. Its integrated 5G connectivity module provides lower latency and higher bandwidth than the 4G option. Key benefits include up to 600 megabits per second bandwidth with sub 6 gigahertz and millimetre wave operation. It communicates via four LTE antennas, compared with two for the original model.
The two modules are mechanically compatible, with identical mounting holes, connectors, peripherals, and other components; this makes 4G to 5G transition smooth and easy for existing customers, so they can resume airborne operation with minimal disruption or delay.
AIRLink comprises an artificial intelligence mission computer and cutting-edge autopilot capabilities. The integrated, triple redundant, vibration damped, temperature stabilised inertial measurement unit (IMU) provides solid flight stability even when operating in extreme environmental conditions. The UK-manufactured product is approved by JRL/JTBL, FCC, PTCRB, RED, and GCF.
Sky-Drones supports customers through each step of their drone development, with three AIRLink editions. The Enterprise Edition provides a quick start, with easy evaluation and installation for prototyping or low volume production. The Core Edition allows customers to optimise their design with deeper integration for medium volume production. Finally, they can use the Ref Design Edition for deep customisation and locally based high volume production.
<h5>AIRLink-Enabled Fleets Enhance Autonomy&nbsp;</h5>
SmartAP AIRLink supports any UAV airframe&mdash;from fixed wing to VTOL&mdash;all of which can be controlled simultaneously using our SmartAP ground control software. Mission team members can monitor flight progress in real time with 5G using Sky-Drones&rsquo; cloud from anywhere in the world.
&ldquo;The AIRLink 5G comes in a compact, rugged box and has everything you need to start using the system&rdquo; comments Kirill Shilov, founder and CEO of Sky-Drones. &ldquo;The package includes &nbsp;GPS module, telemetry system, air module, route module, and all accessories like cameras, cables, antennas and everything you might need to get the unit up and running.
&ldquo;Once deployed, AIRLink-enabled fleets are pushing drone autonomy to the next level, with onboard artificial intelligence and computer vision. Unmanned traffic management integration, real time flight authorizations, real time data streaming and Big Data-driven AI inspired machine learning flight log analytics are all further opportunities opened up by SmartAP AIRLink by Sky-Drones&mdash;the industry&rsquo;s leading artificial intelligence remote link.&rdquo;
<h5>Watch: SmartAP AIRLink</h5>
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Sky-Drones AIRLink drone avionics

30 January 2023
By Shay Levy, FlightOps Co-Founder and CEO
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The advanced air mobility market, also known as the drone market, is expected to grow to more than $500 billion in worth by 2030. That growth projection is based on businesses fully utilizing airspace to scale operations through drone delivery, security and first response, inspection and smart agriculture.
These drone services are available now, but we haven&rsquo;t yet achieved widespread adoption for a couple of critical reasons.
Varying regulations is one significant challenge for drone service providers, but this is expected to change over time. The other hurdle is making drone operations scalable. Previously, commercial UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) operations needed to have a large stable of trained remote pilots, as each drone required a human to control its takeoff, flight path and landing.
<a href="https://www.flightops.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FlightOps</a> technology is breaking through these barriers to propel the drone industry toward its half-trillion-dollar valuation.
<h5>What is FlightOps?</h5>
Founded in 2020, FlightOps is an Israeli-based company offering a drone operating system that enables drone scalability.
In the same way that DOS and Windows disrupted the PC industry by shifting the focus from the hardware to the business process it serves, the FlightOps cloud-based operating system is revolutionizing the drone industry by connecting an ever-growing variety of commercial platforms and hardware to real-life business applications that allow convenient, safe and scalable mobility.
The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.flightops.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FlightOps OS (Operating System) solution</a> works by installing robotic software onboard drones of any type, which then converts the drone into an autonomous &ldquo;robot pilot.&rdquo; Drones communicate with a cloud-based operation center through 5G networks, enabling automated flight in shared airspace.
FlightOps software uses artificial flight intelligence to automatically plan missions and create dynamic flight paths, eliminating the need for a human-controlled aircraft system and enabling massive growth in simultaneous missions.
By using the OS, costs are reduced, and complex operations can be performed at longer distances, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) &ndash; all while maintaining high levels of safety and regulatory compliance.
<h5>Watch: Shay Levy named CEO of the Year by DroneTalks</h5>
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<h5>Different Applications, Same FlightOps Infrastructure</h5>
An oil rig is a great example of how FlightOps technology can be applied. For this example, let's say that the oil rig is located in the Gulf of Mexico 25 miles from the mainland. As the rig extracts millions of gallons of oil each year, the company has deployed a drone to provide 24/7 security and inspection. Additionally, the oil rig's owner has a drone that is used for BVLOS deliveries between the rig and the mainland. A drone can carry anything from miscellaneous equipment to general supplies needed on the rig. In this example, two types of drones are operated by the same FlightOps infrastructure, although for different applications. One drone ecosystem is enabled by this infrastructure, which brings together service providers, solution developers, drone manufacturers, and payload manufacturers. FlightOps is essentially a drone integration hub, and it allows customers to build their own applications into the operating system to take advantage of a variety of market opportunities.
<h5>&nbsp;Projects Currently Utilizing the FlightOps OS Solution</h5>
In June 2022, FlightOps signed a major agreement with DroneUp, a drone operator that provides last-mile delivery solutions for Walmart. The initial plans called for 34 Walmart drone delivery sites across six states by the end of the year. It should be noted that <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2019/02/13/automation-is-reshaping-work-across-america-a-new-report-explores-the-impact-and-how-communities-might-respond#:~:text=Ninety%20percent%20of%20Americans%20live%20within%2010%20miles%20of%20a%20Walmart%20store." target="_blank" rel="noopener">90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store</a>. If autonomous BVLOS drones were to become more prevalent in the coming years, the business potential for companies shipping products via drone delivery would be astounding.
Private companies won&rsquo;t be the only operations shipping product over time. Medical supplies can be distributed via air, which would allow improved access to healthcare for those in remote areas. Even in urban centers, though, drone mobility creates new opportunities. In July 2022, an <a href="https://ajot.com/news/article/medical-lab-tests-delivered-via-drone-using-flightops-os" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israeli health center sent medical laboratory tests via drone</a> to another facility without compromising the quality of the samples.
<h5>Watch: Lab tests Delivered via Drone</h5>
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Volatus Aerospace, a public company in Canada, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.suasnews.com/2022/08/volatus-aerospace-with-integrated-flightops-os-awarded-canadas-first-bvlos-certification/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">utilized the FlightOps infrastructure in August to become the first Canadian firm to receive a BVLOS Special Flight Operations Certificate</a>. The certificate allows Volatus to conduct drone flights without a visual observer. (Consider this operation like the oil rig example without the vessel.)
In October, the Israel Police for the first time deployed <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.officer.com/command-hq/technology/security-surveillance/uav-uas/press-release/21288766/flightops-ltd-israeli-police-conducts-first-autonomous-bvlos-drone-missions-using-flightops-os" target="_blank" rel="noopener">autonomous drones BVLOS for command, surveillance and intelligence missions</a> in an urban area. A drone with the FlightOps technology performed missions day and night in Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut, a city between Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem with approximately 93,000 residents. The drone was a first responder to incidents throughout the city, arriving at the scene before the rescue teams, and providing the police control room with a live and clear picture of the scene.
<h5>FlightOps Enables Air Mobility </h5>
FlightOps technology creates endless opportunities in an untapped resource: the air. Companies will be able to rethink their business operations and opportunities as a result of the infrastructure.
As well as reducing labor costs and demands, autonomous air mobility also introduces a more efficient, greener way of moving products.
Using FlightOps, businesses can easily scale air mobility operations, add more sites and platforms of any type, and fly longer routes.
It is only through technology that allows extremely scalable growth that the drone market will reach $500 billion in valuation. FlightOps provides that technology. In the coming years, we believe the drone economy will grow as more operations will become scalable using our technology to power missions around the world.
&nbsp;

FlightOps infrastructure empowers autonomous drone mobility

15 December 2022
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By Dawn Zoldi
Autonomous navigation is a critical feature for any mission-critical drone. As more drones are being deployed in GPS-denied and communications-denied environments such as mines, tunnels, and critical infrastructure facilities such as nuclear power plants, oil tanks, and buildings, the more critical reliable onboard navigation and mapping becomes.
<a href="https://www.modalai.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ModalAI&rsquo;</a>s latest integration of PMD&rsquo;S Time of Flight sensor with VOXL enables comprehensive and reliable mapping for indoor autonomous navigation.
<h5 class="p1">Time-of-Flight Sensors Map Indoor Spaces</h5>
PMD&rsquo;s ToF Sensor technology provides high-fidelity depth sensing up to six meters which is ideally suited for indoor mapping. Like LIDAR, or light detection and ranging, the <a href="https://bit.ly/3TDDCLw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TOF Sensor</a> measures the time it takes for its infrared laser light pulses to be emitted, reflected off an object and then to bounce back. Software then generates a live 3D point cloud representation up to 60 times per second. Unlike large spinning LIDAR units that see a thin slice of the world around it, the TOF sensor acts more like a camera with a wide lens and no moving parts.
The technology has been motivated primarily by the smartphone industry for improving autofocus, image processing, and augmented reality. The same motivation of reducing size, weight, and power (SWAP) makes this technology well aligned with ModalAI&rsquo;s goal of integrating modern robotic perception technology into ever-shrinking drones.
&ldquo;The TOF Sensor is our direction for indoor robotic perception," says the company's Head of Autonomy, James Strawson. "Traditionally, you've needed large and dangerous drones to carry heavy lidar units to do the same thing. The sensor is small and lightweight enough to fit into a smartphone. One single TOF module weighs just 3 grams. Smaller and lighter sensors allow for smaller and safer drones.&rdquo;
ModalAI knows about cellular and microcomputer technology. It's highly experienced co-founder and CEO, Chad Sweet spent the 20 years prior to creating the company at Qualcomm, where he led efforts in computer vision and wireless communications. With 15 patents granted, he was responsible for groundbreaking projects such as the Snapdragon Flight, which is powering NASA&rsquo;s Ingenuity, the first drone to fly on Mars.
&ldquo;One of the advantages to us being in robotics and working closely with the chipset industry is that we have access to these unique sensors,&rdquo; notes Sweet. &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t just go on Amazon to buy these.&rdquo;
<h5 class="p1">Sometimes, GPS Just Doesn&rsquo;t Cut It</h5>
Integrating this sensor with the company&rsquo;s <a href="https://bit.ly/3Gh62Z4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VOXL autopilots</a>, equipped with Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) to fly safely and reliably, creates incredibly robust perception for indoor and GPS-denied environments.
GPS interferences from a degraded, disrupted or manipulated signal can cause significant negative impacts, including the disruption of critical equipment functions that result in property damage, serious injuries or even fatalities.
All of this applies to GPS-dependent drones. A loss of GPS signal results in &ldquo;lost link.&rdquo; The FAA defines a lost link as the loss of command and control link between the drone and the ground station. This could send the drone into uncontrolled flight and crash into people or objects.
Interference aside, GPS signals also simply cannot travel through some materials. In fact, they cannot penetrate most solid objects, such as buildings, packed soil (ground), concrete, heavy wood or metal. Thus, generally, GPS cannot work indoors, or even around large metal objects, such as bridges. This renders GPS either completely unavailable, or unreliable, for PNT in those locations.
In instances where a drone can&rsquo;t use GPS to navigate, VIO can help the drone understand where it is relative to its environment. VIO uses visual and inertial data to provide odometry, or how far the drone has traveled. It measures distances in 3D and acts as the building block for many drone functions, including obstacle avoidance, position control, and disturbance rejection.
TOF sensors can complement the mapping done by VIO. The VOXL SDK includes an open source program called voxl-mapper that combines VIO and TOF data to generate a dynamic 3D map of the world on board the VOXL autopilot while in flight. It then uses this map to generate safe, dynamic flight paths through cluttered and tight indoor environments. This can all be controlled through the voxl-portal web GUI hosted on the VOXL autopilot.
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While VOXL Flight remains a powerful tool for pilots, ModalAI&rsquo;s VOXL 2 is its next generation which builds upon the excellent work the company has already done with VIO.
<h5 class="p1">VOXL 2 + TOF Prevents Pilots From Flying Blind</h5>
The assembled-in-the-USA VOXL 2 is the world&rsquo;s smallest flying supercomputer, with four times the computing power of the previous autopilot generation. At only 16 grams, it is smaller than a business card and lighter than an AA battery. VOXL 2 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G platform and integrates multiple image sensors to provide best-in-class VIO.
The VOXL 2 integrates the PX4 real-time flight controller, a state-of-the-art CPU, video encoder, GPU and Neural Processing Unit (NPU), with ModalAI&rsquo;s open VOXL SDK. The SDK comes complete with the autonomous behaviors required to safely and reliably avoid obstacles, including mapping and planning software and Collision Prevention.
For best-in-class navigation, VOXL 2 can now support multiple TOF image sensors allowing customers to design in more sensed directions for better mapping and obstacle avoidance. Developers can outfit their drone with four TOF units to achieve 360 degree FOV, which would enable faster mapping. VOXL 2 also unlocks the full 6m TOF range thanks to increased signal processing power.
&ldquo;Longer range is beneficial because a drone doesn't need to get close to walls or obstacles in an environment,&rdquo; explains Sweet. &ldquo;In a tight or non-traditionally straightforward environment like a mine or unfamiliar territory, such as an indoor facility, a drone doesn't need to creep closely to the edges of the room and risk being damaged by obscure obstacles.&rdquo;
Developers can now leverage the combined tech of both the TOF sensor and VOXL 2 to ensure their drone solutions can fly in all environments, including when GPS cannot.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Any solution that integrates VOXL 2 with the TOF sensor will be the smallest, smartest and safest drones that can fly indoors and in GPS-denied areas.&rdquo; says Sweet.
<h5 class="p1">VOXL 2 Interview</h5>
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<h5 class="p1">Learn More</h5>
<a href="https://www.modalai.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ModalAI</a> accelerates development of smaller, smarter and safer drones and robots with SWAP-optimized Blue UAS Framework autopilots built in the U.S.A. From home and business security to retail and government applications, the company&rsquo;s highly-integrated AI-powered modules empower a variety of industries to utilize aerial and ground autonomous navigation systems that communicate on 4G and 5G cellular networks.
Based in San Diego, California, ModalAI was formed by former Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. employees in 2018, and builds on their prior research and development in the drone and robotic markets. ModalAI&rsquo;s VOXL product line helps manufacturers and independent builders get to market quickly and affordably. For more information, visit www.modalai.com

ModalAI Keeps Drones Flying Safely

14 December 2022
&nbsp;By Dawn Zoldi (Colonel, USAF Ret.) 
As uncrewed vehicle operations become more complex and increasingly autonomous, smart technology plays a pivotal role in providing reliable command and control (C2), data protection and overall user situational awareness. Capabilities, such as mobile mesh networking, cloud management software, data links and cybersecurity functionalities, when combined with the right hardware, enable longer ranges, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and one-to-many (swarm) operations.
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mobilicom Limited</a>, a provider of cybersecurity and smart solutions for drones, robotics, and autonomous platforms develops a holistic and integrated suite of smart components to support these advanced uncrewed missions, for both government and commercial users, even in the most challenging and inaccessible urban and rural environments. Let's take a closer look at Mobilicom and how its end-to-end field-proven smart solutions enable safe autonomous operations.
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<h5>Unique Know How &nbsp;</h5>
In 2007, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/oren-elkayam-4ab45/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oren Elkayam</a> and <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yossisegal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yossi Segal</a> co-founded Mobilicom in Israel. Their collective experience, vision and effort has resulted in the company&rsquo;s current position as one of the world&rsquo;s top end-to-end suppliers for drone and robotics providers.
Both began their careers as officers and leaders in elite R&amp;D units in the Israeli Defense Forces: Elkayam in the Air Force and Segal in the Army. The two met in the wireless communications business at Runcom Ltd, where Elkayam was VP of Business Development and Segal, the CTO. There, the two successfully launched multiple wireless broadband systems and mobile application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Their work resulted in global contracts with top carrier companies such as Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel, KDDI, Mitsubishi and Motorola as well as significant investment rounds with international-based venture capital funds.&nbsp;
This power-duo continues to lead Mobilicom: Elkayam as its Chief Executive Officer and Segal as its Vice President of R&amp;D. The company now holds patented technology across a large portfolio of commercialized smart products, including mobile mesh networking, used in a variety of uncrewed system applications deployed worldwide.
&ldquo;We aim to reduce risks to platform providers and shorten the time to market&mdash;especially as the market continues to evolve," says Segal. "New requirements pop up every day. Mobilicom remains postured to meet those challenges and bring the best products and services, at the best value, to our customers.&rdquo;
<h5>Leading Smart Tech </h5>
Today, Mobilicom, and its related subordinate brands MCU and SkyHopper, provides patented and professional integrated smart solutions for commercial and defense drone, robotics and teleoperated system manufacturers in more than 15 countries. It has integrated its hardware and software into more than 70 types of drones, robotics and uncrewed platforms across the following sectors: public safety/first responders, mining, disaster relief, infrastructure inspection, defense (including maritime defense), homeland security and drone delivery.
Mobilicom offers several NDAA-compliant communication solutions that provide real-time, highly reliable, low-latency and high speed connectivity for both aerial data terminals (ADT) and ground data terminals (GDT).
Here is a summary of their key solutions:
Skyhopper Datalinks: These bidirectional cybersecure Software Defined Radio (SDR) data links employ leading wireless technologies to support high-use, long range and BVLOS applications including commercial inspections, disaster relief and defense intelligence or loitering (kamikaze) drones. The company&rsquo;s latest offering, the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/skyhopper-micro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkyhopperPRO Micro</a>, boasts miniature size and weight ideal for high-use applications and mass deployment of small drone fleets. Its <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/skyhopperpro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkyHopper PRO</a> supports point-to-point and point-to-multipoint communication, enabling various modes of communication, including for multi-drone operations and drone communications to multiple viewers (receivers). The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/skyhopper-pro-v/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skyhopper PRO V</a> incorporates dual video inputs and outputs, dual built-in video encoders / decoders, three camera interfaces and local recording ability. The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/skyhopper-combo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkyHopper Combo</a> provides three solutions in one unit: a bi-directional cybersecure, SDR, and LTE technology data link.
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SkyHopperPRO Micro
MCU Mesh Networking: The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/skyhopper-micro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mobilicom MCU-30 Lite</a>, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/mcu-30-ruggedized/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MCU 30 Ruggedized</a> and <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/mcu-30-extended-ruggedized/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MCU 30 Extended Ruggedized</a> units are all cybersecure plus software-defined radios with mobile MESH, IP communications that deliver ad-hoc direct wireless mobile communications without the need for any infrastructure. The company designed the MCU-30 Lite for ADT; the MCU 30 Ruggedized for GDT and the MCU 30 Extended Ruggedized for GDT in harsh environments. Its <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/mcu-200-ruggedized/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MCU-200 Ruggedized</a> and <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/mcu-200-extended-ruggedized/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MCU 200 Extended Ruggedized </a>communication units are cybersecure software defined radios (SDR) that not only supports ad-hoc mobile MESH and wireless mobile IP communications, but also HD video and data in casings of various levels of ruggedization.The MCU-200 can be used as GDT as well as ADT in helicopters, large aerial platforms and maritime uncrewed platforms.
Cloud Network Management: Mobilicom&rsquo;s <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/cloud-network-management/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CONTROliT</a> network management solution is a cloud-based management software that enables device configuration, network management, tracking and data generation. Specifically designed for commercial and industrial IIoT (drones/robotics/teleoperation, M2M, autonomous platforms), it provides the best solution for autonomous uncrewed systems.
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CONTROLiT
ICE Cybersecurity: The company&rsquo;s I<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/ice-suite/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mmunity, Cybersecurity and Encryption (ICE) Cybersecurity</a> suite, is the first 360 degree solution to autonomously detect, prevent and respond to cyber breaches and malicious attacks, such as Man in the middle, spoofing and hacking, in real time to keep autonomous system operations safe. This light weight and low power multi-layered suite uses multi-model artificial (AI) systems and machine learning. The system senses the environment preflight to identify other nearby friendly systems, deconflict channels, detect jammed frequencies that cannot be used and chooses the clear frequencies. While the autonomous vehicle operates, ICE senses potential problems, such as electromagnetic waves from jammers, and employs an interference avoidance system that classifies various threat levels and alerts the operator. In a GPS-denial attack, it can take over and land the vehicle safely. All of the company&rsquo;s datalinks and MCU communications solutions contain ICE cyber security protection.
Mobile Ground Control: The company additionally creates a variety of 7&rdquo; and 10&rdquo; <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/product-family/mobile-ground-controller-stations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mobile ground control stations (GCS).</a>&nbsp; All of these ruggedized tactical mobile controllers/GCS&rsquo; support drone and robot operations with a variety of payloads, in the most challenging and complex conditions. They provide real-time high-definition video and broadband data content transmissions, as well as daylight-readable viewing, by single or multiple users simultaneously. It also offers turnkey <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://mobilicom.com/products/system-engineering-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">system engineering services</a> to guide users through the integration and testing process and help them establish formal maintenance, test and operations, logistics and training programs tailored to system requirements and customer needs. This comes with 24/7 worldwide technical support.
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MCU Maxi Controller PRO
<h5>Maximized Global Autonomy </h5>
Leveraging its initial success in the Israeli drones and robotics market, Mobilicom has grown a global customer base with sales to high profile customers including corporations, including Teledyne Flir, Airbus, Sarcos, Elbit Systems, Azure Drones, Censys Technologies, IAI and Rafael, as well as governments and military departments, such as the Israel Ministry of Defense.
Mobilicom&rsquo;s end-to-end partnerships enable autonomy by maximizing drone and robotic system performance through fully integrated components, stronger security and protection levels, and high-end quality logistic support.
The company has also expanded its global reach beyond Israel, expanding the team in Australia, Germany and the United States. It has been awarded 15 innovation grants from Israel, the European Union and other international consortiums. This year, in conjunction with its growing U.S. presence, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://ir.mobilicom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Mobilicom-progresses-NASDAQ-dual-listing-to-further-expand-its-penetration-in-the-USA-market.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mobilicom added a NASDAQ dual listing </a>(NASDAQ: MOB, MOBBW) to its prior listing on the Australian Exchange (ASX:MOB).
&ldquo;As an end-to-end provider, we aim to eliminate complexities and ensure peace of mind for our customers, across the board, from workflow to cybersecurity,&rdquo; says Elkayam. &ldquo;Our goal is to ensure that our customers reach their objectives, so we supply everything they need from our suite of smart products to the related services and support. Ideally, customers will bundle our solutions. An integrated end-to-end approach is key to successful drone and robotics operations.&rdquo;
The benefits of these end-to-end solutions differentiate Mobilicom from other drone and robotics solution providers. Its one-stop-shop approach across a range of platform-agnostic and fully integratable and customizable offerings, allow clients to spend less money for maximized performance and quicker time to market.
Learn More
Ensure smart, secure and reliable mission continuity for your organization, in all environments and conditions. Learn how to stay connected - always and anywhere - with Mobilicom by contacting them at: <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="mailto:info@mobilicom.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">info@mobilicom.com</a> or visiting <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="http://www.mobilicom.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.mobilicom.com.</a>

Smart Technology Is Key to Powering Autonomous Vehicles

6 December 2022
In recent years, drone-flight planning and data processing technology have taken huge leaps, enabling companies, organizations, and individuals around the world to gather more accurate data in remote locations. Moreover, aerial-data processing using machine learning algorithms makes it possible to automate feature detection, making it not only faster but also more accurate. Flight-planning software such as <a href="https://www.ugcs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UgCS</a> by <a href="https://sph-engineering.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SPH Engineering</a> comes with in-built SRTM4 terrain-elevation data, as well as the ability to import custom, digital-terrain models (DTM / DEM), map overlays, and cache maps of large areas for offline use. Combined with the ability to plan complex photogrammetry surveys with terrain following, UgCS has become the tool of choice for professional drone pilots around the globe.
<h5>Vertical Inspections of a Canadian Arch Dam using UgCS</h5>
In summer of 2021, a partner of SPH Engineering and one of the fastest-growing start-ups in Canada, <a href="https://niricson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Niricson</a>, was involved in a project to do a condition assessment of an arch dam.&nbsp;They managed to collect RGB data and thermal data using UgCS for vertical inspection purposes.
The conventional method for thorough crack mapping and inspections is to send teams of engineers out onto the structure, occasionally using rope access. There, they climb down the structure while wearing a harness, and manually measure each crack before mapping them out in structural drawings. UAV data gathering method is more effective, considerably safer for the crew, and produces a digital model that can be referred to in the future&mdash;which is crucial.&nbsp;
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/DjNLuWSnVlMako9WbtNwXPjQMIY02lQIP9c0f07a.png" alt="" width="701" height="346" />
One of the reasons to choose UgCS for this kind of project is that it has a vertical facade-scanning feature that enables it to capture automated flight-based vertical images of the arch dam. The DEM import is another essential part. Traditional SRTM data lacked an accurate elevation for the dam. That is why we imported a LiDAR DEM into UgCS and used terrain following to precisely plan the flight based on the DEM import. When it is important to keep a constant ground sampling distance, or a constant pixel size for the photos, and allow continuity, using vertical scanning is the key. Read the full use case <a href="https://www.ugcs.com/news-entry/ugcs-used-for-vertical-inspections-of-a-canadian-arch-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;
<h5>Monitoring Penguin Colonies in Antarctica</h5>
The Antarctic is home to many penguin colonies. Imaging this area from a bird&rsquo;s-eye view can provide important insights into the species' behavior and population.
But it is not easy for scientists to find a way of capturing these images.
The penguin colony at Cape Crozier is one of the largest in Antarctica. It also happens to be located on a very steep slope that makes it difficult for researchers to count and monitor the birds using standard photography methods.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/hg7xa6vE2RORfbe2raqkCD2JOfviBrz9yJ5Zn6TR.png" alt="" width="709" height="470" />
With multiple UAVs, the survey duration was cut from a single drone being manually operated for three days to under three hours. A group of specialists from Stanford University, Point Blue Conservation Science, and Conservation Metrics handled the project.
Thousands of high-resolution photos were captured throughout each survey for an AI model (Conservation Metrics) to automatically recognize and count adult penguins and their babies, A Stanford University team used UgCS and a special route planning algorithm to successfully photograph more than 300,000 breeding pairs of penguins in Cape Crozier. Ultimately, these studies contributed to thorough assessments of penguin populations and breeding success, which are essential metrics for evaluating the health of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Read the full use case <a href="https://www.ugcs.com/news-entry/multiple-uav-approach-reduces-time-to-survey-penguin-nests-and-chicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;
<h5>More on UgCS</h5>
UgCS offers tools to make aerial surveys and mapping as easy and effortless as possible. Pre-installed camera profiles can be used or created new ones to suit the camera. The LiDAR, Photogrammetry, Corridor mapping, Vertical scan, and Area Scan tools will automatically calculate the flight path based on the drone and camera settings. Alternatively, the Area Scan and Photogrammetry parameters can be adjusted manually, such as GSD, overlap, or desired altitude.
Here are just a few of the features that showcase why using UgCS for flight planning will be beneficial to your mission.
<ul>
<li>Flight planning on Win/ MacOS</li>
<li>Plan flights with terrain following</li>
<li>Plan according to custom DEM/DSM</li>
<li>Cache maps for offline use</li>
<li>Universal. Supports DJI and other drones</li>
<li>Create routes from KML/CSV files</li>
<li>LiDAR toolset</li>
<li>Modular software architecture</li>
<li>Video streaming</li>
<li>3D interface</li>
<li>Use custom map overlays</li>
<li>Vertical scanning feature</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/Fd1tPNRErpLXohduFQFlAmYIHCyEnXNCkoLmQic5.png" alt="" width="637" height="689" />
Recently, SPH Engineering announced a new release of UgCS v.4.12 (1097). New drone and payload profiles have been added for Mavic 3 Enterprise (M3E/M3T) and DJI Matrice 30 (M30/M30T) drones. Current support is implemented via route export from UgCS to DJI Pilot 2 (KMZ files).
&ldquo;One of the main benefits of using UgCS for Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI M30/M30T drones is the ability to plan vertical scan and photogrammetry with terrain following missions,&rdquo; says Kristaps Brass, UgCS Product Owner at SPH Engineering.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/tL170VNWB0JYjDuItMRBUnUnPzWdDF1LHnTc5HVE.png" alt="" width="646" height="699" />
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ugcsusers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UgCS User Group on Facebook</a> has served as a way to create a community of UgCS pilots. It already has more than 2,700 members and is rapidly growing. The main aim is to let drone pilots share knowledge and experience about flight planning in UgCS, and collect high-quality data using drones. It also serves as a way to collect valuable feedback from users and suggestions for new features. The User Group is open to all UgCS users, whether you are a beginner or an expert. It&rsquo;s also great for pilots who want to share their experiences and help each other with planning flights.
<h5>Watch!</h5>
<iframe style="width: 681px; height: 383px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yMPfPSXvqJ4" width="681" height="383" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h5>About SPH Engineering</h5>
SPH Engineering&nbsp;is a multiproduct drone software company and UAV integration services provider. Founded in 2013 in Latvia (EU) as a UAV mission planning and flight control start-up, the company has evolved from a developer of a single flagship product (UgCS) to a market leader of multiple drone solutions. Today, the company boasts a rich global customer, reseller, and educational partner network in 150+ countries, while over 45% of partners are located in North America.
Passionate about innovations and ready to experiment, between 2016 and 2018 the co-founders integrated a GPR sensor with a drone to look for a lost WW2 plane in an expedition to Greenland and developed the first version of software to manage multiple drones to perform a drone light show in a US amusement park. These projects resulted in the launch of two product lines: UgCS Integrated Systems, enabling the integration of up to 10+ diverse sensors, and Drone Show Software to manage drone swarm shows.
To provide high-quality solutions for UAV professionals, SPH Engineering's team advances four key product lines: UgCS (mission planning and flight control software technology), UgCS Integrated Systems (airborne integrated systems with sensors from diverse manufacturers), Drone Show Software (a technology to manage drone-swarm flights), and&nbsp;SPH Consulting &amp; Development (knowledge-based services to implement, integrate, and develop technologies for the drone industry).

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