Teledyne FLIR Introduces Hadron 640R Dual Thermal-Visible Camera for Unmanned Systems

GOLETA, Calif. and ORLANDO, Fla. ― Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today announced the release of its high-performance Hadron 640R combined radiometric thermal and visible dual camera module. The Hadron 640R design is optimized for integration into unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), robotic platforms, and emerging AI-ready applications where battery life and run time are mission critical.

The 640 x 512 resolution Boson longwave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera inside the Hadron 640R can see through total darkness, smoke, most fog, glare, and provide temperature measurements for every pixel in the scene. The addition of the high definition 64 MP visible camera enables the Hadron 640R to provide both thermal and visible imagery compatible with today’s on-device processors for AI and machine-learning applications at the edge.

“The Hadron 640R provides integrators the opportunity to deploy a high-performance dual-camera module into a variety of unmanned form factors from UAS to UGV thanks to its incredibly small size, weight, and power requirement,” said Michael Walters, vice president product management, Teledyne FLIR. “It is designed to maximize efficiency and its IP-54 rating protects the module from intrusion of dust and water from the outside environment.”

The Hadron 640R reduces development costs and time-to-market for integrators and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product developers by offering a complete system through a single supplier, Teledyne FLIR. This includes offering drivers for market-leading processors from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and more, plus industry-leading integration support and service from a support team of experts. It also offers flexible 60 Hz video output via USB or MIPI compatibility. Hadron 640R is a dual use product and is classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction.

The Teledyne FLIR Hadron 640R is available for purchase globally from Teledyne FLIR and its authorized dealers. To learn more or to purchase, visit www.flir.com/hadron640r.

For an exclusive in-person first look at the Hadron 640R, please visit booth #2107 at AUVSI Xponential, April 26-28, 2022, in Orlando, Florida.

About Teledyne FLIR
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. For more information, please visit www.teledyneflir.com or follow @flir.

About Teledyne Technologies
Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne’s operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne’s website at www.teledyne.com.

The Many Uses of Drone Videography For Event Marketing

This article was written by Anthony Jamison, a representative at Drones Services Phoenix. Anthony Jamison is the head of the Outreach Department of Drone Services Phoenix, Arizona’s premier aerial photography and videography company

There is no question about the impact unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or aerial drones are making across industries these days.

Whether you’re a general contractor, a miner, a roofer, farmer, or a filmmaker, you will surely find suitable uses for an aerial drone, which can reach places and spaces you never imagined would be accessible a decade or so ago.

And today’s drones are not just about physically reaching hard-to-access spots. The fact that most, if not all of them are fitted with high-definition cameras also makes them capable of taking stunning photographs and videos while in flight.

The beauty of aerial drone videography also makes UAVs perfect for marketing activities, specifically event marketing.

If you’re part of a corporate marketing team and you’re organizing a music festival, a trade show, or any event, you might want to make good use of drones in the following ways:

Finding The Perfect Location

You need an open-air venue for your event, and you have already set your sights on a piece of land a few miles from the city.

The place may look good on the ground, but you want a complete idea of what it can offer and what you can do to the area for the event.

The solution? Get a drone in the air and shoot photos and videos of the whole property. With aerial photos and videos on hand, you can make a full assessment of the venue’s event-worthiness and start your planning for the event itself.

Billboards In The Sky

Billboards have always been a staple in marketing and advertising, and they still work, especially those huge ones that nobody can ever miss.

However, you can take things a step further by using flying billboards to market your event. Get a couple of drones, attach banners or tarpaulins to them, and have them fly over certain areas where your billboards in the sky can get the most eyes on them.

Enhanced Security

Your event can always use more security, and drones are more than capable of providing that.

With drones flying overhead during an event, you and your team can easily spot disturbances and possible trouble areas and alert security personnel to them right away.

Live Streaming

Event marketers can use live streaming with drones not only to hype up an event before it takes place but also broadcast the whole thing live to a massive audience while it’s unfolding.

Live streaming drone videos of the venue and the various preparations can help create buzz for the event itself and make people look forward to being there. Your brand’s followers would love to see behind-the-scenes footage of members of your team doing whatever they can to help make the event a success.

Once the event is taking place, a drone with live streaming capabilities can give the people who can’t make it to the venue a chance to see the goings-on while they are going on, making them feel like they’re there with you.

Creating Videos For Social Media

If live-streaming is not possible, you can always have your drone shoot all the necessary shots just the same, then create a video that you can post on all your social media channels.

As much as possible, post your drone videos for your event on YouTube and Facebook. After all, the former is the world’s top video streaming channel, while the latter has close to three billion active users worldwide.

While you’re at it, post your drone videos on your company website, too, since they can also help attract more traffic.

Giving Sponsors Due Credit

More often than not, major events are made possible with the help of corporate and individual sponsors.

You can show your appreciation for their involvement in your event by playing all over the venue videos shot by your drones featuring sponsors’ banners, signage, booths, or any indicator of the help they extended to you.

Celebratory Drone Light Shows

If your budget allows it, putting up a drone light show can serve as a high point for the event itself.

Unlike expensive fireworks, drone light shows don’t disperse toxic pollutants into the air, litter the venue with spent casings, and, more importantly, don’t scare birds, wildlife, and pets to death.

The creative possibilities are also endless, as drones can be used to create every imaginable pattern and shape in every possible color hundreds of feet in the air.

The crowd at your event and the people watching the live stream will indeed find themselves immensely entertained if you close the proceedings with a drone light show.

There are many other possible uses of drones for your event marketing efforts, but the ones listed above should be a good enough place to start.

You can always get a drone or two yourself to use in event marketing, but keep in mind that operating a drone requires a license.

If having your own drone is out of the question, you can always opt to partner with a drone services provider who has the license and the expertise to fly drones safely.

Das sind die neuen EU-Regeln für Drohnen

(lifePR) (Düsseldorf, 16.03.21) Seit einigen Jahren erfreuen sich Drohnen beim Verbraucher einer großen Beliebtheit. Manche sehen wie kleine Hubschrauber aus, andere wie fliegende Bügeleisen. Einige verfügen über eine Kamera, während einfachere Modelle auf Sicht geflogen werden. Seit dem 31. Dezember 2020 gelten neue Regelungen für den Betrieb von Drohnen und lösen die seit 2017 gültigen Regelungen ab. Sie gelten in der gesamten EU, Norwegen, Liechtenstein und in der Schweiz. Damit entsteht ein kompliziertes Klassifizierungssystem aus verschiedenen Kategorien und Klassen. Was Hobbypiloten fortan beachten müssen, wissen die ARAG Experten.

Drohnenkategorien: „offen“, „speziell“ und „zulassungspflichtig“
Die neu aufgelegte „Durchführungsverordnung über die Vorschriften und Verfahren für den Betrieb unbemannter Luftfahrzeuge“ (Durchführungsverordnung 2019/947) unterscheidet drei Drohnenkategorien: offen (open), speziell (specific) und zulassungspflichtig (certified). Eine Drohne gilt als „offen“, wenn sie weniger als 25 Kilogramm (kg) wiegt, maximal 120 Meter hoch fliegt, innerhalb der Sichtweite des Piloten betrieben wird und keine gefährlichen Gegenstände mitführt oder abwirft. Außerdem gilt für den Piloten ein Mindestalter von 16 Jahren. Eine Drohne ist „speziell“, wenn sie mehr als 25 kg Startmasse aufweist, wenn sie außerhalb der Sichtweite des Piloten im Einsatz ist oder auf eine andere Weise Merkmale der Kategorie „offen“ überschreitet. Sehr schwere, für Sonderzwecke wie Gütertransport konstruierte Drohnen gelten als „zulassungspflichtig“.

Worin unterscheiden sich die Unterkategorien A1, A2 und A3?
Die drei Unterkategorien der Kategorie „offen“ unterscheiden sich nicht nur im Gewicht der Drohne, sondern auch in deren Gebrauch. Die Verhaltensregeln der Unterkategorie A3 – mit einer Höchstabflugmasse zwischen vier und 25 kg – lassen z. B. eine maximale Annäherung an Wohn-, Gewerbe-, Industrie- oder Erholungsgebiete von 150 Metern zu. Unbeteiligte Personen dürfen mit ihnen nicht gefährdet werden. Wenn man unter dem Label A2 (Höchstabflugmasse zwischen 900 Gramm und vier kg) fliegt, darf die Drohne horizontal höchstens 30 Meter an Personen heranfliegen. Im Langsamflug ist auch eine Annäherung auf bis zu fünf Meter erlaubt. Als ‚A1-Pilot‘ mit einer Drohne von bis zu 900 Gramm sollte man keine Menschen überfliegen.



Fünf Drohnenklassen: C0 bis C4
Als ob die Novellierung im Bereich der kleinen Flugkörper nicht schon kompliziert genug wäre, unterteilt man Drohnen, die nach EU-Regularien zertifiziert wurden, künftig zusätzlich in fünf Klassen, von C0 bis C4, welche sich nach den technischen Eigenschaften von Drohnen bis 25 kg richten: C0-Drohnen sind beispielsweise die leichtesten, C4-Drohnen die Schwersten. Die jeweilige Drohnenklasse muss in Zukunft deutlich auf der Verpackung zu sehen sein, sobald die Drohne CE-zertifiziert ist.

Welche Drohnen sind registrierungspflichtig?
Hobbypiloten müssen ihr Fluggerät grundsätzlich beim Luftfahrtbundesamt (LBA) registrieren, auch wenn das Gerät ausschließlich auf dem eigenen Grundstück unterwegs ist. Allerdings sind einige davon befreit: Erst ab einem Gewicht von 250 Gramm muss eine Drohne registriert werden. Wenn die Drohne aber mit einer Kamera oder mit sonstigen Sensoren ausgestattet ist, die personenbezogene Daten erfassen können, unterliegt sie trotzdem der Registrierungspflicht. Das gilt auch für Drohnen unter 250 Gramm! Wenn die Drohne gemäß der Spielzeugrichtlinie als Spielzeug gilt, entfällt die Registrierungspflicht. Falls Ihre Drohne der Registrierungspflicht unterliegt, muss die entsprechende Registrierungsnummer deutlich sichtbar auf dem Gerät angebracht sein.

Auch neu: Zwei Drohnenführerscheine
Mussten Hobbypiloten früher erst bei Drohnen ab zwei Kilogramm einen Führerschein vorlegen, gilt dies nun schon ab 250 Gramm. Bei den meisten offenen Drohnen reicht dafür der ‚kleine Drohnenführerschein‘ (EU-Kompetenznachweis). Dafür muss der Pilot eine theoretische Onlineprüfung auf der Webseite des Luftfahrtbundesamt (LBA) ablegen. In einigen Fällen benötigen Piloten aber künftig das sogenannte EU-Fernpilotenzeugnis: Neben dem Besitz eines gültigen Kompetenznachweises muss der Betreiber dafür zusätzlich ein praktisches Selbststudium sowie eine weitere theoretische Prüfung beim LBA absolvieren. Beide Drohnenführerscheine sind europaweit und fünf Jahre lang gültig.



Für sogenannte Bestandsdrohnen gilt eine Übergangsphase
Für Verbraucher, die vor der neuen Regelung eine Drohne gekauft haben, gilt eine Übergangsphase: Vorher erworbene Kenntnisnachweise behalten bis zum 1. Januar 2022 weiterhin ihre Gültigkeit. Auch bisherige Registrierungen bleiben noch bis zum 30. April 2021 gültig, sofern Name und Anschrift des Betreibers gut sichtbar auf einer Plakette angebracht sind.

Diese Regeln sollte jeder Drohnenpilot kennen
Unabhängig von Klassen und Verhaltensregeln gibt es einige klare Limits. Missachtet man diese, kann das eine Geldstrafe von bis zu 50.000 Euro nach sich ziehen. So dürfen Drohnen zwar 20 Meter höher fliegen als früher; die Maximalflughöhe von 120 Metern darf man nur mit einer Sondergenehmigung überschreiten! Auch müssen die fliegenden Gadgets immer in Sichtweite des Piloten bleiben und die Privatsphäre anderer Menschen darf auf keine Weise verletzt werden. In besonders sensiblen Gegenden und Situationen dürfen pauschal keine Drohnen betrieben werden. Dazu zählen beispielsweise Bahnhöfe, Flughäfen, Demonstrationen und Einsätze der Rettungskräfte. Drohnen müssen außerdem der bemannten Luftfahrt Vorfahrt gewähren. Weichen Sie mit Ihrem Fluggerät rechtzeitig aus und stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie niemanden gefährden! Wichtig für viele Hobbypiloten: Wenn die Drohne über eine Kamera verfügt, darf sie nicht über ein Wohngrundstück gesteuert werden. Gleiches gilt für alle Drohnen, die mehr als 250 Gramm wiegen. Dies entspricht der Klasse C1 oder höher. Last but not least: In Flugverbotszonen ist die Nutzung von Drohnen selbstverständlich komplett untersagt!

Wer haftet?
Man braucht immer eine Haftpflichtversicherung, sobald man eine Drohne fliegen lässt – unabhängig von deren Gewicht. Das gilt auch für registrierungsfreie Drohnen! Der Führer der Drohne haftet grundsätzlich für alle Schäden, die bei einem Flug verursacht werden können. Das kann schnell teuer werden, wenn bei einem Absturz z. B. ein Unfall verursacht wird. Prüfen Sie daher, ob Ihre private Haftpflichtversicherung derartige Schäden einschließt. Unter Umständen ist eine sogenannte Halter-Haftpflichtversicherung nötig. Es empfiehlt sich dringend, eine spezielle Versicherung abzuschließen, wie sie zum Beispiel die Modellflugverbände anbieten.

Artificial feathers give flight to robotic birds

Festo presents its new bionic project “BionicSwift”


Thanks to radio-based indoor GPS with ultra-wideband technology (UWB) the BionicSwifts can fly safely and in a coordinated pattern in a defined airspace. To execute these flight manoeuvres as true to life as possible, the wings are modelled on the plumage of real birds. The agility of the artificial birds is not just due to their lightweight design and aerodynamic kinematics, but also to the use of function integration.


The Festo Bionic Learning Network has a long tradition of being inspired by natural flight. The creation of the BionicSwift represents the next chapter for Festo in the development of bionic flying objects. As in its biological model, the use of lightweight structures is at the heart of the artificial bird. Because in both engineering and in nature, the less weight there is to move, the less material is required, and the less energy is consumed. That is why the BionicSwift weighs just 42 grams despite having a body length of 44.5 centimetres and a wingspan of 68 centimetres. This makes it extremely agile, nimble and capable of flying loops and making tight turns. By interacting with a radio-based indoor navigation system, the robotic birds are able to move autonomously in a coordinated pattern in a defined airspace.

Aerodynamic feathers

To be able to replicate natural flight as closely as possible, the wings of the BionicSwifts are modelled on bird feathers. The individual lamellae are made from an ultra-lightweight, flexible but very robust foam, and overlap each other. Connected to a carbon quill, they are attached to the actual hand and arm wings as in the natural model. The individual lamellae fan out during the wing upstroke, allowing air to flow through the wing. This means the birds require less power to propel the wing upwards. The lamellae then close during the downstroke to provide the flying robot with a more powerful flight. This close replication of bird wings gives the BionicSwift a better flight profile than previous beating wing drives.

Function integration in the tightest of spaces

The agility of the artificial bird is not just due to its lightweight design and aerodynamic kinematics, but also to the use of function integration. The bird’s body contains the compact construction for the wingflapping mechanism, the communication technology, the control components for wing flapping and the elevator, the tail. A brushless motor, two servo motors, the battery, the gear unit and various circuit boards are installed in the smallest of spaces. Through the intelligent interaction of the motors and mechanical systems, the frequency of the wing beats and the elevator for the various manoeuvres can be precisely adjusted.

GPS coordination of the flight manoeuvre

The coordinated and safe flight of the robotic birds is made possible by radio-based indoor GPS with ultra-wideband technology (UWB). Several radio modules are mounted in the space, forming fixed anchors that locate each other and define the controlled airspace. Each bird is equipped with a radio marker that sends signals to the bases, which can then locate the bird’s exact position and send the data collected to a central master computer, which functions as a navigation system. The system can use preprogrammed paths to plan and determine routes and flight paths for the birds. If the birds deviate from this flight path, for example due to a sudden change in ambient conditions such as wind or thermals, they immediate correct their flight path by intervening autonomously – without any human pilots. Radio-based communication means that position sensing is possible, even if there are obstacles and visual contact is partially lost. The use of UWB as radio technology guarantees safe and interference-free operation.

New inspiration for intralogistics

The intelligent networking of flight objects and GPS routing makes a 3D navigation system that could be used in the networked factory of the future. For example, by precisely locating the flow of materials and goods, process workflows can be improved and bottlenecks can be predicted. In addition, autonomous flying robots could be used for transporting materials, with their flight corridors a way of optimising the use of space within a factory.

About Festo:

Festo is a global player and an independent family-owned company with headquarters in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. The company supplies pneumatic and electrical automation technology to 300,000 customers of factory and process automation in over 35 industries. The products and services are available in 176 countries. With about 21,000 employees in over 250 branch offices in 61 countries worldwide, Festo achieved a turnover of around €3.07 billion in 2019. Each year around 8% of this turnover is invested in research and development.

In this learning company, 1.5% of turnover is invested in basic and further training. Yet training services are not only provided for Festo’s own staff – Festo Didactic SE also supplies basic and further training programmes in the field of automation technology for customers, students and trainees.

VISTA Drone by Door Robotics Takes Flight on Kickstarter With a Fully Integrated 360-degree Camera

COLLEGE PARK, MD. (PRWEB) OCTOBER 21, 2020

Capture every angle from the sky with VISTA Drone, the first integrated 360-degree camera drone, from Door Robotics, which launched on Kickstarter today. Eliminating the need to jury-rig expensive cameras to gimbals and drones, VISTA Drone makes it easier than ever before to capture precise, beautiful, and captivating images from above.

No drone on the market today records 360-degree video without also capturing the drone itself in the frame. To create immersive content, aerial videographers and photographers have had to build unsafe custom rigs, attach third-party cameras or do extensive editing to capture high-quality footage. Not anymore.

VISTA Drone is the market’s first drone with a fully integrated 360-degree camera. It creates immersive aerial video without seeing the drone in every frame. In addition to its innovative design, the VISTA Drone also leverages autonomous navigation to learn, map, and adapt to any environment indoors or outdoors. Obstacle detection senses objects around the drone and keeps it from crashing during flight, letting the operator focus on getting the shot.

“I believe drone technology is the way of the future,” said Joshua Ermias, CEO of Door Robotics. “The VISTA Drone makes it significantly easier to create awe-inspiring, immersive content from every angle.”

According to Business Insider, the drone industry is expected to grow to more than $63 billion by 2025 with consumer drone shipments hitting 29 million next year. Enterprise and recreational-use drones are exploding in popularity as their uses become more widespread. From insurance to disaster relief, construction, journalism, and real estate, businesses are thirsting for ways to capture video and photographs of hard-to-reach locations or innovative viewpoints. The VISTA Drone offers what no other drone does: a 360-degree, “invisible drone” POV.

In addition to autonomous navigation, the VISTA Drone features a “follow me” intelligent flight mode that leverages GPS transmitter technology to turn the drone into a hands-free aerial camera crew. Object recognition detects small and large objects for premier pixel clarity. The VISTA Drone can take off and land on its own, creating a safer flying experience for any operator. If the battery should run low during flight, it will automatically begin to descend and return home.

The VISTA Drone’s 360-degree camera offers 8k resolution, a 78 Mbps bit rate, and captures 30 frames per second of video. Real-time video stitching is made possible with the camera’s two lenses—no more extensive editing to mend footage. VISTA Drone makes capturing 360-degree images and video automatic and precise.

VISTA Drone is available to pre-order at a significant discount starting at $899. Funds from the Kickstarter campaign will be used to manufacture the drones in America, and units will ship by April 2021. To pre-order, visit pr.go2.fund/doorrobotics.

About Door Robotics
Door Robotics believes drones are the future. Beginning in 2016, Door Robotics set out to improve the way people capture aerial video with drones. A grant from the University of Maryland’s Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship jumpstarted Door Robotics, and the team used that funding to create its alpha prototype. After tooling, software development, and testing, the VISTA Drone is ready for manufacturing. For more information, visit http://www.doorrobotics.com.

SqwaQ Wins AUVSI Xcellence Award for BVLOS Drone Communications Solution

DALLAS (PRWEB) OCTOBER 04, 2020

SqwaQ, a pioneering leader in air-to-ground (A2G) LTE connectivity that enables safe BVLOS drone flights, has been recognized by the AUVSI with a 2020 Xcellence Award for Technology & Innovation. Winners were selected from a pool of accomplished applicants across various categories.

“The AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards honor innovators with a demonstrated commitment to advancing autonomy, leading and promoting safe adoption of unmanned systems and developing programs that use these technologies to save lives and improve the human condition,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI.

The SqwaQbox is the first carrier approved 4G/LTE modem for Airborne LTE Operations (ALO) that delivers robust, multi-redundant connectivity for safe BVLOS flights. The 270 gram device enables multiple cameras and sensors to stream video in real time with nationwide Command and Control (C2) of the aircraft. This provides the remote pilot with an in-the-cockpit experience that includes pilot view cameras, the capability to fly in controlled airspace, remote operation of ADSB or Mode-S transponders, voice communication to the remote air traffic control tower using aviation VHF radio, and more. The remote pilot can safely integrate with manned aircraft traffic and even take off or land at the world’s busiest airports. These capabilities, and more like it, are already patented by SqwaQ and part of a longer range roadmap that integrates unmanned traffic, rather than UTM segregation which is restrictive and not practical.

A major obstacle facing the UAS industry has been the ability to maintain command and control over long distances via a multi-redundant communication link that not only streams video and sensor data, but can pass muster with FAA safety requirements. SqwaQ understood this from the outset and manufactures the AS9100 Certified SqwaQbox to those aviation standards, with an eye toward additional FAA certifications that may become mandatory for all UASs the future.

Over the last ten years, the drone industry has been guided by robotics engineers and drone enthusiasts with little knowledge of FAA rules or FAR safety guidelines. This has led to challenging FAA authority over the airspace and ignoring aviation safety guidelines in hopes of allowing tens of thousands of flimsy drones to invade the safest airspace in the world. To the FAA this is a dangerous threat. SqwaQ technology is the missing component that resolves this conflict and integrates all connected aircraft in the sky, allowing safe integration of any properly built Remotely Piloted Aircraft.

Today in 2020, major aviation manufacturers are quietly designing their own Remotely Piloted Aircraft solutions with an eye toward full FAA type class certification and safety compliance. That’s not a Part 107 waiver or Part 135 exemption that restricts operations. It means passing a rigid safety certification like Boeing, Bell and Airbus routinely undertake with manned aircraft, to fly unfettered in the airspace and deliver value to customers that toy drones cannot achieve.

SqwaQ is engaged with many aviation manufacturing partners to lead the transformation to certified Remotely Piloted Aircraft. That RPA moniker will denote a real aircraft, flown freely across controlled airspace by a real pilot holding a conventional pilot certification and pedigree. SqwaQ anticipates that OEMs using its BVLOS technology may eliminate 75% of their competitors in the drone industry, as certified aircraft push out the flimsy toys being fobbed off, particularly in public safety.

2020 Commercial UAV Expo Americas to Take Place Virtually Next Week

UAS Solutions Providers and Thousands of End-Users will Gather Online Sep 15-17 for Expo and Conference Focused on Commercial Drones.

PORTLAND, MAINE (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

With Commercial UAV Expo Americas slated for September 15-17, organizers of the event have announced that they are expecting the participation of thousands of UAS professionals from around the world. The 2020 edition of the event, originally scheduled to take place at Paris Las Vegas, will instead take place virtually due to ongoing health and safety concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attendees represent industries such as construction, drone delivery, energy and utilities, forestry and agriculture, infrastructure and transportation, mining and aggregates, public safety and emergency services, security, surveying and mapping, and many more.

Commercial UAV Expo Americas Virtual will kick off on Tuesday, September 15 with Virtual “Outdoor” Flying Demonstrations open to all registrants. Leading UAS vendors will demo their drones and software in action, providing insight into their capabilities. Vendors participating in the demos include Iris Automation, Doosan, Sundance Media Group, Sabrewing Aircraft Company, Inc., and Autel Robotics. Following the demos are Emerging Technology Showcases in which UAS solution providers will present their newest technology.

The highly anticipated conference program, organized by conference planners with input from Commercial UAV Expo Americas’ Advisory Board, kicks off at 9:00 AM PT on Wednesday, September 16 with a keynote presentation from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, the first of three highly anticipated keynote speakers. Mr. Dickson will share how over the past year the industry and the FAA have made substantial progress related to UAS. Immediately following Mr. Dickson, Scott Breor, Acting Deputy Assistant Director, CISA, will provide an update on threats in critical infrastructure, securing facilities, and resources available to the industry. The third keynote speaker, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios, will provide an update from the White House on Thursday, September 17, preceding a keynote panel presentation from the UPS Flight Forward Team. The remainder of the 40+ hours of conference content is made up of various panels, plenaries, breakout sessions, and roundtables. The full agenda can be viewed here.

Returning to Commercial UAV Expo Americas is the ever-popular DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit which unites drone operators and program managers across law enforcement, fire rescue, and other emergency services for strategic discussions and workshops surrounding the evolving use of unmanned aircraft systems. This year’s digital environment will allow attendees from around the world to engage in targeted educational content to learn how first responders are using sUAS to save lives. Topics will include program development and management, training standards and certification, mutual assistance, and more.

In addition to the Virtual “Outdoor” Flying Demonstrations and Emerging Tech Showcases, leading solutions providers will showcase the latest UAS technology as part of the Virtual Exhibit Hall. Virtual Exhibit Hall hours will take place from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT on both Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17. Live interaction within the Virtual Exhibit Hall including one-on-one meetings with staff, product demonstrations, and much more will take place during “Power Hours.” Virtual Exhibit Hall “Power Hours” will take place from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT on both Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17.

For the first time at Commercial UAV Americas, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Support Center will be available to attendees in the Virtual Exhibit Hall. The Support Center virtual booth serves as the FAA’s front door for people who are new to flying UAS, are looking for guidance on how to operate safely in various environments, want to learn more about waivers and authorizations, or just have questions about the role UAS play in the broader aviation community. The Support Center is a team of well-informed and professional aviation specialists who seek to help usher in the next generation of flight.

Drone professionals, including professionals from leading companies and government agencies from throughout the United States and 50+ countries, will attend Commercial UAV Expo Americas Virtual this year, drawn by the education, exhibits, and opportunity to connect with one another. Attendees and exhibitors will find it easy to make connections through the robust AI-powered networking tool Commercial UAV Expo Connect powered by Grip and sponsored by DroneUp.

REGISTRATION

A full conference pass costs $395 and includes full access to all the live and pre-recorded content from September 15-17 as well on-demand for 30 days following the event. An exhibit hall pass is free and includes access to Keynotes, Virtual Exhibits, AI-Powered Matchmaking, Virtual “Outdoor” Flying Demonstrations, Emerging Tech Showcases, and the Company Spotlight Gallery.

Registration will remain open throughout the expo and conference, but event organizers encourage professionals to register early to take advantage of everything the event has to offer. To register, please visit virtual.expouav.com/page/1554247/register?promo=209223.

About Commercial UAV Expo Americas

Commercial UAV Expo Americas, presented by Commercial UAV News, is the leading international trade show and conference in North America for the commercial drone market. Its sixth edition, September 15-17, 2020 will take place virtually. For more information, visit http://www.expouav.com.

Commercial UAV Expo Americas 2020 Shifts to Virtual Event in September – FAA Administrator Stephen M. Dickson to Keynote

PORTLAND, MAINE (PRWEB) JUNE 02, 2020

Commercial UAV Expo Americas 2020 is going virtual, according to event organizer Diversified Communications. “Due to ongoing health and safety concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the commercial drone community we serve have made it clear that it would be impossible to hold the live event as originally planned. In the interests of ensuring our community still has an opportunity learn from and connect with each other, we have reimagined Commercial UAV Expo Americas as a fully virtual event taking place September 15-17, 2020,” said Lisa Murray, Group Director at Diversified Communications, organizer of Commercial UAV Expo Americas. These are the same dates the live event had been scheduled for in Las Vegas.

Details will be forthcoming, but the content will include keynotes, panel discussions, and presentations with interactive Q&A and chat features; an AI-powered networking component; virtual exhibits, and demonstrations by UAS solutions providers. “We have stayed in close contact with our customers over the last few months. A huge thank you to all of them. I cannot say enough about their support and collaboration with our team during this time. What is clear is that they want and need the business networking and education normally provided by our event, but travel bans and other restrictions were going to prevent them from attending. We decided to put a stake in the ground and make immediate plans to ensure the broadest participation possible by making the event virtual now. Where a virtual event may not have appealed to many just a few months ago, the world has changed. People are yearning for connections and education. We are excited to offer the key benefits they expect from us: critical, timely education delivered by industry leaders, opportunities to network and engage with peers, and the ability to learn about the newest technology in the space,” said Ms. Murray. She added that the content will naturally address how the industry has responded to the pandemic, as well as the associated opportunities and challenges.

FAA Administrator Stephen M. Dickson, an aviation professional with nearly 40 years of experience, will Keynote the virtual event. Dickson leads an agency responsible for the safety and efficiency of the largest aerospace system in the world. “We are thrilled that Administrator Dickson will be addressing the audience at such a critical time for the drone space,” said Ms. Murray.

Additional information about the event will be announced, but commercial drone solutions providers will have the opportunity to host virtual exhibits, conduct one-on-one meetings, provide product information, share videos and more—all virtually. “We are investing in a robust virtual platform that will deliver high value to companies already signed on for the in-person event. We expect going virtual will naturally attract new companies, further enhancing the array of products and services on offer and attracting new buyers who may not have attended a live event but are more than ready to attend virtually.” said Ms. Murray.

“So much has happened in the drone space since the last edition of Commercial UAV Expo Americas,” said Ms. Murray. “People need an update on the latest developments and the impact on their business. While restrictions on travel are in place, restrictions on business are not. We are dedicated to bringing major stakeholders together to continue to move the industry forward during a particularly important time for drone industry expansion.”

Return to a Live Event in 2021

In 2021, Commercial UAV Expo Americas will take place September 7-9, 2021 at the Mirage in Las Vegas,” said Ms. Murray. “We look forward to the opportunity to connect in person with our customers. In the meantime, we will be their virtual connection to the drone industry.”

About Commercial UAV Expo Americas

Commercial UAV Expo Americas, presented by Commercial UAV News, is the leading international trade show and conference in North America for the commercial drone market. Its sixth edition, September 15-17, 2020 will take place virtually. For more information, visit http://www.expouav.com/.

Drone racing manufacturer Lumenier becomes The Drone Racing League’s (DRL’s) Official Antenna Supplier for FPV

The Lumenier AXII 5.8GHz Video Antenna is specifically designed to perform extremely well under intense drone racing conditions. „The quality of the pilots video link is one of the most critical aspects of amateur and professional drone racing.” says Tim Nilson, President of Lumenier. “The AXII Antenna ensures a reliable video link at high speeds, with several pilots in the air, and in challenging RF environments.“

„Lumenier is one of the most respected gear designers in the drone racing market.“ said Nick Horbaczewski, DRL’s CEO. „We are thrilled to have them as a partner this season.“

Key Specs of the Lumenier AXII 5.8GHz Antenna (patent pending):

Gain: 1.6dbic
Axial ratio: 1.0 (near perfect)
Bandwidth: 5.5GHz-6.0GHz
Radiation Efficiency: 98%
SWR: <=1.5:1
Weight: 7.6g
Size: 70mm x 16mm
Cable: Semi-rigid RG402
Polarization: RHCP or LHCP
Connector: SMA or RP-SMA

Works great as both a transmitting or receiving antenna.
Compatible with other styles of 5.8GHz antennas.

About Lumenier
Lumenier is a high-end designer and manufacturer of top quality racing drone products – airframes, motors, batteries, propellers, electronics, antennas, accessories, and more. The company operates from its main headquarters in Sarasota, Florida with wholly owned manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and China. Leveraging their expert engineers in aeronautics, mechanical and electrical design, Lumenier has become known globally for its innovation and quality. For more info please visit http://www.lumenier.com or call 941-444-0021.

About DRL
DRL is the premier drone racing circuit for elite FPV pilots around the world. A technology, sports and media company, DRL combines world-class media and proprietary technology to create thrilling drone racing content with mass appeal. In 2017 DRL is hosting a global series of six races, the Allianz World Championship, to be broadcast on ESPN, Sky Sports, Prosieben and other leading broadcast channels around the world. Founded by Nicholas Horbaczewski in 2015, DRL is a privately held company headquartered in NYC.

Dobrindt: Klare Regeln für Betrieb von Drohnen

(lifePR) (Berlin, ) Der Betrieb von Drohnen wird neu geregelt. Bundesminister Dobrindt hat dazu heute dem Kabinett eine „Verordnung zur Regelung des Betriebs von unbemannten Fluggeräten“ vorgelegt. Anschließend erfolgt die Zuleitung an den Bundesrat.

Bundesverkehrsminister Dobrindt:

Drohnen bieten ein großes Potenzial – privat wie gewerblich. Immer mehr Menschen nutzen sie. Je mehr Drohnen aufsteigen, desto größer werden aber auch die Gefahren von Kollisionen, Abstürzen oder Unfällen. Für die Nutzung von Drohnen sind deshalb klare Regeln nötig. Um der Zukunftstechnologie Drohne Chancen zu eröffnen und gleichzeitig die Sicherheit im Luftraum deutlich zu erhöhen, habe ich eine Drohnenverordnung auf den Weg gebracht. Neben der Sicherheit verbessern wir damit auch den Schutz der Privatsphäre.

Wesentliche Regelungen der Verordnung: Kennzeichnungspflicht ab 0,25 kg, um im Schadensfall schnell den Halter feststellen zu können. Kenntnisnachweis ab 2 kg (außer auf Modellflugplätzen) durch eine vom Luftfahrt-Bundesamt anerkannte Prüfung oder Bescheinigung über eine Einweisung eines Luftsportvereins. Erlaubnispflicht ab 5 kg. Die Erlaubnis wird von den Landesluftfahrtbehörden erteilt. Betriebsverbot, z.B. außerhalb der Sichtweite oder in Flughöhen über 100 Metern (gilt nicht auf Modellfluggeländen), über Wohngrundstücken ab 0,25 kg oder wenn das Fluggerät optische, akustische oder Funksignale übertragen oder aufzuzeichnen kann.

Für gewerbliche Nutzer wird das aktuell bestehende generelle Betriebsverbot außerhalb der Sichtweite aufgehoben. Künftig ist der Betrieb außerhalb der Sichtweite genehmigungsfähig. Damit wird der Betrieb gewerblicher Drohnen erleichtert und es werden neue Geschäftsmodelle ermöglicht.

Weitere Informationen zu den Regelungen finden Sie unter www.bmvi.de/drohnen