The Regional Training Center (The RTC) and Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics (F1RST) have partnered to provide training to local, state, and federal government agencies.
The RTC is a unique, non-profit center of research and training for public safety and government agencies. America’s leading UAS innovator and California’s largest certified UAS trainer, the RTC has now announced a partnership with Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics (F1RST) in Land O’ Lakes, Florida to create the premier governmental training venue in the United States.
“Florida is just the right place to be, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office exemplifies vision and innovation in public safety. The F1RST Facility will host ethical, outcome-based, quality training for Floridians and the region. I could not be more pleased to be there,” says Kris Allshouse, Executive Director, The RTC.
Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics (FIRST) is a partnership between academia and practitioners to develop a state-of-the-art research enterprise to bring innovative solutions and training to public safety agencies. “F1RST is the only known facility to be built from the ground up aimed at developing innovative solutions and enhancing tactical capabilities in key disciplines of public safety by partnering researchers and practitioners,” says the press release. “…F1RST will provide the public safety industry with a one-of-a-kind, integrated research and training experience, which includes state-of-the-art instructional facilities, next generation training techniques, and collaborative partnerships with academia, practitioners, community-based organizations, and local businesses to help spark innovative solutions to the complex problems in today’s world.”
“Working with The RTC is exciting, and it furthers our goals to empower leaders around the world with the knowledge necessary to ensure safer communities by transforming public safety through research, education, and innovation,” says John Kuch, Unmanned Systems Analyst, F1RST.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies. For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
A study supported by the United States Department of Agriculture–National Institute of Food and Agriculture aims to evaluate the efficacy of simple linear, multiple, and robust regression methods to predict fall-harvested alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-acquired multispectral and thermal images.
Four alfalfa fields in southern California were selected, and a composite dataset containing 180 ground truth sampling points was formed to build and test the performance of the regression models. The UAV was flown in September 2020, 5–29 days before the ground truth data collection. A total of nine crop indices, canopy temperature, and the difference between canopy temperature and air temperature were used as input predictors.
Map showing four different study areas and yield sampling points
Among the simple linear models, the model with normalized difference vegetation index as input showed a strong performance (coefficient of determination [R2] = 0.76; root mean square error [RMSE] = 170.29 kg ha−1; and mean absolute error [MAE] = 132.18 kg ha−1). A multiple linear regression model with three input predictors showed the highest accuracy with R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 142.99 kg ha−1, and MAE = 109.30 kg ha−1.
The top-performing models accurately estimated mean yield at the field level and differentiated fields with low and high alfalfa productivity. Including canopy temperature-related inputs did not improve the yield prediction power of the models. The error in the yield prediction increased as the days between UAV flights and field harvest increased.
Results here suggested that UAV-based remote sensing has the potential to estimate fall-harvested alfalfa yield in southern California.
Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced the addition of several prominent industry professionals and government officials to its 2023 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 12–16 June, San Diego. The five-day program will address the theme, “Revolutionary Leaps Toward a New Age of Aviation.”
On Tuesday, 13, June, 0800 hrs PT, Alan Weston, CEO, LTA Research and Exploration,will deliver the day’s keynote address, “Airships: A Sustainable Path to Decarbonizing Transportation and Complementing Humanitarian Aid.” Other new speakers added include:
A joint workshop hosted by the Outer Space Institute (OSI), McGill’s Institute of Air & Space Law (IASL), and the Association of the Advancement of Space (IAASS) focused on the casualty risks that re-entering space debris pose to the commercial aviation sector. The OSI agreed to the article published in Uniting Aviation sharing the outcome and recommendations following the event:
“There are more than seven thousand objects in low-earth orbit (LEO) that have large radar cross-sections consisting of abandoned rocket bodies, active and inactive satellites, and large debris fragments. Since 2019, these objects have roughly doubled, driven mainly by the launch of constellations comprising of hundreds or thousands of satellites. Globally, there are tens of thousands of additional satellites being licensed, with hundreds of thousands of further satellites being proposed. The vast majority of these satellites will be in LEO, meaning many will reenter Earth’s atmosphere in the years and decades ahead. The number of rocket launches needed to construct and maintain these space systems will also increase, and with them, rocket body reentries.
“Uncontrolled reentries of space objects pose risks to people on the ground, at sea, and in aircraft in flight, while also causing potential environmental and economic damage. The probability of impact on any single person, ship, or aircraft is small, but the risk should not be ignored.
“In his opening remarks during the February workshop, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar drew attention to ICAO’s engagement with the air traffic management community to mitigate space launch risks. The Separation and Airspace Safety Panel of ICAO’s Air Navigation Commission continues to explore options based on the work done by Chicago Convention signatory states, including the FAA’s Acceptable Level of Risk (ALR) concept.
“The Secretary General affirmed ICAO’s priorities: “The first in this area is to continue to identify and explain where there are clear mandates of the Chicago Convention relating to Space Transport. A second priority we’ve established is to acknowledge and plan our actions based on the clear understanding that this is a multi-sector problem, requiring a multi-sector solution.”
“ICAO’s 184 Member States participated in the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly last October, endorsing ICAO’s efforts to begin closely examining matters related to higher airspace operations, including space-bound vehicles as they traverse through the atmosphere.
“Juan Carlos Salazar also noted ICAO’s third priority, “to focus on promoting near-term action by outer space stakeholders to implement the already existing Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, and the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.” He advised participants that ICAO would be working with UN OOSA to ensure that their recommendations would be duly considered by the outer space-related segments of next year’s United Nations Summit of the Future.
“The potential casualty probabilities of some proposed satellite constellations are tens of a percent per replacement cycle. The aviation industry is particularly vulnerable to collisions with reentering space objects during flight. Due to their relative speed of impact, even small or light pieces of debris that may be harmless for people on the ground could fatally damage an aircraft in flight or otherwise necessitate emergency action by its crew.
“Fortunately, uncontrolled reentries of rocket bodies are no longer necessary in most circumstances due to technological developments and improved mission designs. Uncontrolled reentries of satellites are not yet generally avoidable; however, steps can be taken to reduce reentry risks.
“Although there are no verifiable reports of space objects striking aircraft, several aircraft have been damaged by collisions with unidentified objects at high altitudes. The risks are not confined to debris strikes. On at least one occasion, airspace was temporarily closed on account of an uncontrolled reentry of a rocket body. Airspace closures provide one example of how the economic risks from uncontrolled reentries are potentially larger than the physical risks, creating a further imperative for the following policy action:
Raising awareness of the growing problem of uncontrolled reentries of space objects;
Recognizing that uncontrolled reentries create casualty risks to people on the ground, at sea, and in aircraft in flight;
Understanding that aircraft are especially vulnerable to strikes with space objects;
Identifying that uncontrolled reentries of rocket bodies have become unnecessary in most circumstances, due to technological developments and improved mission designs;
Acknowledging that uncontrolled reentries of satellites are still not generally avoidable, but that steps can be taken to reduce the reentry risks from them;
Identifying that the consequences of uncontrolled debris reentries extend beyond personal injury or physical damage to include economic risks; and
Recognizing that avoiding uncontrolled reentries is one necessary step toward the sustainable and safe use of space.”
States should establish a new international body or build upon an existing one to provide a focus on the safety implications of uncontrolled reentries:
Actions by one actor can affect all actors.
The use of space by any single state has global implications, with risks potentially exported from launching states to other states.
The safety implications of uncontrolled reentries include risks on the ground, at sea, and to aircraft in flight.
As space use further develops, states should take coordinated steps to maintain a strong safety culture.
Part of this coordinated safety culture may require recognition of limits to the space-Earth system, such as carrying capacities and maximum tolerable reentry rates.
A strong safety culture will require recognition that both mass and satellite numbers will need to be considered in determining acceptable limits.
Global standards are required, consistent with applicable international legal instruments.
States should establish requirements to avoid uncontrolled reentries of space objects:
Uncontrolled reentries are generally unacceptable in today’s context.
Transition phases will be needed for new state entrants and legacy satellites.
Appropriate thresholds will be needed to exempt satellite operations that have been determined to pose low risk based on widely agreed standards.
There needs to be consideration for on-orbit failures that will result in some amount of uncontrolled reentries.
States should assess risk based on entire space systems, especially those involving many objects, instead of on the basis of individual constituent objects. A large satellite constellation is an example of a space system involving many objects.
Constellations should meet specific requirements that consider the aggregate risks associated with the number of satellites, satellite mass, satellite lifetime, and reentry cadence.
Transparency and validation should be required to facilitate enforcement.
States should promote the development of advanced reentry prediction capabilities for unavoidable uncontrolled reentries involving space objects that exceed determined risk thresholds:
The granting of licenses to large constellation operators has involved an implicit acceptance of increased uncontrolled reentries from satellites and rocket bodies.
Satellites with properties, such as mass, above certain thresholds may pose heavy burdens on society due to the potential for casualties, property damage, and economic losses to third parties.
Closures or effective closures of airspace constitute a burden on airlines, aviators, controllers, and passengers. Such closures also create new safety risks due to, for example, sudden increased stresses on air traffic control systems.
Increased uncontrolled reentries without better prediction capabilities will lead to further airspace closures or higher risks for airlines and passengers.
Satellites above certain thresholds should be required to have autonomous emergency tracking and/or transmitting capabilities to aid in prediction efforts during the initial stages of atmospheric reentry. Such capabilities should avoid interference with other uses or exploration of space.
Prediction, verification, and warnings
States should develop standards for issuing and responding to precautionary safety warnings related to uncontrolled reentries or related space activities:
The standards should build upon existing standards, such as the aviation coordination regime.
The standards should enable rapid decision-making and achieve consistent results.
The standards should accommodate conditions of rapidly evolving uncertainty of the uncontrolled reentry footprint location close to reentry time.
The standards should seek to maintain operational safety, keeping in mind that inaction could be the safest course.
Cooperation, especially among neighbouring states, in any reentry situation will be facilitated by common risk criteria, use of accepted information sources, and clear identification of the responsible state authorities.
States should require independent validation of predictions of breakup and demise of reentering space objects
Between 10% and 40% of the mass of large reentering space objects has historically survived reentry.
The potential casualty probabilities of some proposed satellite constellations are tens of a percent per replacement cycle.
Recognizing the heightened risk, some companies have proposed to develop fully demisable satellites.
As part of the licensing process, claims of full demisability of fragments must be verified independently through design review, inspection, simulation, and as practicable, through constrained destruction or other tests.
An independent body will be needed to respect and safeguard proprietary information.
Liability and economic injury
States should review the scope of “damage” under international liability instruments, including as it pertains to economic injury:
Given the substantial growth of aviation and space activities, including future growth, liability rules must be continually reviewed.
Damage from space activities to aviation, marine, and related activities should be part of this review.
There should be further consideration of risks to people and property on the ground, as well as environmental and economic damage.
Discussions could take place within and outside existing fora and should be open to all stakeholders.
Discussions should consider material injury to the economic interests of third parties.
Although the damage to a single aircraft or other asset is a discrete incident, injury includes any wider economic consequences, such as the temporary grounding of aircraft.
States should consider enabling recovery or compensation for economic injury from uncontrolled reentries or related space activities that necessitate precautionary safety warnings:
There are economic consequences that arise from issuing precautionary safety warnings, which may include disruption of Earth activities, such as aviation.
An example of a precautionary safety warning that may give rise to economic injury to aviation operators is an airspace closure in anticipation of an uncontrolled reentry.
To assist in determining whether a space actor has caused economic injury, thresholds should be established for states issuing a precautionary safety warning.
States should develop mechanisms that determine whether a space operator whose activities necessitate precautionary safety warnings should be held responsible for any associated economic injury.
There are various methods for ensuring partial or full recovery or compensation arising from injuries due to the issuance of precautionary safety warnings. These may include liability, government compensation, insurance, surety bonds, and compensation funds that are supported by contributions from spacecraft manufacturers, launch providers, satellite operators, and other space actors.
Regulations on compensation for economic injuries should not compromise on safety.
These recommendations are the result of discussions held during this workshop. The signatories to these recommendations are expressing their personal views only. Their contributions to these recommendations do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of their institutional affiliation, whether a university, company, non-governmental organization, government (including departments, agencies and national militaries), or intergovernmental organization.
Horizon Europe project egeniouss – led by Austrian Institute of Technology – develops cloud-based localization service for positioning and navigation in cities.
Vienna, March 23, 2023. The EU project egeniouss makes accurate and reliable navigation available for everyone. Navigation and positioning apps for cyclists, solutions for professional surveyors and mappers, drone operators and automated driving applications rely on satellite-based navigation signals. But in cities, urban canyons – shaped by tall buildings – often interrupt these satellite signals and make many applications unreliable, unsafe or even unusable. Cyclists lose track, turn late, and evoke critical situations which in the worst-case can lead to accidents. Safety for autonomous driving requires exact and reliable positioning at all times.
Three complementary use cases to explore the full potential of AAA-PNT
In collaboration with six European partners, the AIT Center for Vision, Automation & Control (VAC) successfully started the 3,5 years lasting Horizon Europe project with three exemplary use cases – a cycling app, a surveying app, and drone delivery (e.g. for medical supplies) to develop “AAA-PNT – Affordable, Accurate and Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing”. The egeniouss GNSS- and cloud-based visual localisation technology will be applicable to any device with a camera, computing power and a GNSS receiver (e.g. smartphones and -watches, tablets, drones).
By the choice of the use cases, egeniouss contributes to more safety and comfort making our cities more liveable in the age of digitalisation. Two smartphone-based use cases, namely bicycle navigation and smartphone-based surveying & mapping, and one robotic use case – drone delivery – will demonstrate complementary features of the combined EGNSS – Visual Localisation service. Coordinator Phillipp Fanta-Jende from the VAC, emphasises that “Although egeniouss will be compatible with other satellite navigation systems, such as GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou etc., only the European GNSS infrastructure offers the ideal foundation to enable egeniouss’ full potential to democratise high-performance positoning and leverage its high transferability to other value-added services.”
egeniouss base technology as a global market driver
Besides the three quick starters – firstly GNSS-based mapping, secondly navigation & tracking for cyclists and pedestrians and thirdly drone-based operations – egeniouss lays the basis for the improvement of other location-based and -dependent services and the development of still unknown service opportunities in growing market segments (e.g. wearables in the health & lifestyle market) and fills technological gaps for previously hyped solutions offered too early in the markets (e.g. AR/MR augmentation devices like Google Glasses and other geo-advertising and geo-tagging services in the tourism and social network segments). Drone-based delivery will be applicable to the
emergency market to fulfil the high standards in safety & time-critical applications. egeniouss- equipped tramways in urban environments (rail market) can use egeniouss for accurate and low- cost inspection of rail infrastructure and enable accurate tracking of trams for enriched passenger
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Giefinggasse 4 | 1210 Wien, Austria | T +43 (0) 50 550-4015 | [email protected] | www.ait.ac.at | 2 information systems. Autonomous vehicles greatly benefit from egeniouss’ accurate localisation capability for safety reasons and better navigation.
Maximising the progress of all research fields to achieve the eager technology Ismael Colomina, CEO and Chief Scientist of GeoNumerics, a high-tech SME in GNSS research, remarks, that “egeniouss is an ambitious initiative. Unlike other navigation projects, this one is based on a multidisciplinary approach, from robotics and computer vision to advanced satellite geodesy.
These synergies will enable great progress in these fields.”.
The potential of augmented European GNSS
It is imperative that satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) run smoothly to support numerous infrastructures, such as communication, transport and even finance. When signals from global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) are interrupted, it can pose a threat to safety and security. Meanwhile, satellite augmentation systems that enhance GNSS performance can be very expensive while not solving all problems at once. The goal of the EU-funded egeniouss project is to improve the existing European GNSS Galileo with its adjunct services by developing an accurate and – highly relevant for consumer apps – affordable cloud service that can overcome common GNSS issues, such as multipath, jamming or spoofing.
Montreal – The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) have opened enrollment to the new International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Training course.
As part of the RPAS auditor accreditation process, qualified IS-BAO auditors wanting to expand their qualifications within the rapidly growing RPAS segment are required to successfully complete the new USI online course that is now available at https://usi.matrixlms.com/ibac.
As the recognized leader in UAS flight safety solutions, training, and certifications, USI has tailored this course to provide auditors RPAS training necessary to perform audits on operators of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in primary non-complex, Visual Line of Sight Operations. Subsequent courses and requirements are in development for large-scale global adoption of commercial regulations for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) regulations.
“Professionally trained and credentialed auditors are critical to the assessment of new and existing RPAS programmes,” commented IS-BAO Programme Director Andrew Karas. “We announced our partnership with Unmanned Safety Institute earlier this year for this auditor course credential because of their leadership and seven years experience in educating, training, and supporting RPAS organizations.”
Josh Olds, USI’s President and CEO said, “IBAC’s IS-BAO and IS-BAH programs have undoubtedly added significant value to Business Aviation’s outstanding safety record over the past 20 years. Their keen recognition of RPAS as an extension of Business Aviation and their commitment to adapt the IS-BAO programme to evolving RPAS operations is bolstering a safer airspace internationally for future innovation.”
In addition, USI and IBAC look forward to expanding this educational program to UAS program managers looking to increase their understanding of safe operations and evolve their company safety culture.
About International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)
IBAC represents the interests of business aviation worldwide. IBAC is a non-profit, international trade association with official observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Specialized Agency for aviation matters, in Montreal, Canada. IBAC promotes and manages the industry-leading standards for best safety practices through its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAOTM); International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAHTM); Safety Management Tool Kit; SMS eLearning training; and Aircrew Identification Card. Recently introduced in partnership with CTX, the IBAC Carbon Credit Exchange provides the business aviation community a reliable resource for real-time offsetting to reduce its carbon footprint. More details at www.ibac.org
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry’s most widely recognized leader in flight safety solutions for individuals, academia and organizations focused on integrating and operating UAS for civil or commercial purposes. Unmanned Safety Institute provides UAS flight safety training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. With more than 300 instructors and over 15,000 USI Certifications awarded around the world, USI works with large commercial enterprises and nearly 500 schools in all 50 states. USI is the global leader in commercial and academic UAS training and certification, delivering the most highly regarded training program of its kind. Programs include the Small UAS & Advanced Safety Certifications, Visual Line of Sight Systems Operations™ (VSO) and Professional Remote Operator™ (PRO) certifications and Unmanned Connect™ workforce development initiative. USI’s training and certification programs are endorsed by major aviation insurance providers, widely utilized in current BVLOS operations, and implemented nationwide as a workforce pathway program from secondary or post-secondary to the career field to align skillsets to industry pay scales. Discover more at www.UnmannedSafetyInstitute.org.
At the SmartGeo Expo in Seoul today, the Korean Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST) signed a ground-breaking MOU with the Ethiopian Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure Development (MUID) to advance drone mapping in Ethiopia. The project will be led on the ground by Korean drone-based geomatic and survey experts Hojung Solutions.
Continue reading below, or listen:
The agreement will bring drone-based mapping services and significant skills transfer efforts to Ethiopia – and has the power to be an effective tool of change. “This MOU will begin a collaborative effort to create the elements necessary to establish sharing of drone skills, safety framework, and sustained growth in drone applications,” said Hojung Vice President Andrew Cho.
Hojung Solutions will bring their expertise in drone mapping to the country: with the support of KIAST, they will establish a framework for skills transfer that will develop a local workforce for commercial drone applications, with the goal of creating a “Center of Excellence” program to maintain aviation safety standards along with piloting and application skills.
It’s a unique model, and one of the ways that Korean government institutions have taken active steps to support the drone industry. KIAST is responsible for aircraft certification and safety standards: the Advanced Aviation Research Division’s charter includes both the development of UAS regulations and safety standards, and the support and development of the Korean drone industry. By partnering with Hojung for the project, they are able to provide both safety and standards expertise as well as drone-based mapping services for Ethiopia.
Hojung Solutions CEO, Munsoek Lee explained that geospatial information is a powerful tool for change in Ethiopia. “With good geospatial information, Ethiopia will be able to solve many problems, including fair land taxation,” he says. “When you know where the people are, you can start to develop the road and water infrastructure more effectively.”
Image courtesy African Drone Forum: Remo-M
According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, Ethiopia’s 10-year (2020 to 2030) transport sector perspective plan is massively ambitious. As of the end of FY 2019/20, Ethiopia had 144,024 kilometers (89,492 miles) of all-weather roads: the Ethiopian government plans to build an additional 10,000 kilometers of road including expanding the highway network to 1,600 km over the next ten years. Road development plays a key part in the country’s plans for economic development – and drone mapping offers an effective way to bring both geospatial information and technology transfer to the region.
Hojung Solutions will use UCONSYSTEM aircraft, including the hand-launched Remo-M model and new eVTOL fixed wing endurance drone.
Read more about Hojung Solutions and the Korean drone industry:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies. For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
Don’t miss the Unmanned Safety Institute on Dawn of Drones, Wednesday August 17 at 11:00 AM EST! Stream below:
This week on the Dawn of Drones podcast, join Dawn and special guest Josh Olds, President and CEO of the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) as we continue Developing Industry Leadership month, sponsored by Skydio.
The two will discuss the various ways that USI empowers and enables businesses and academia through unparalleled uncrewed systems programs with industry-relevant safety content and training solutions. USI provides turnkey safety solutions, from online training programs, enterprise solutions to academic curriculum and professional certifications. Learn how USI provides industry safety foundations today for effective and efficient scaled operations tomorrow!
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Missed a recent episode? Catch up here:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies. For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division is proud to announce the Autonomy & Positioning Reality Summit, taking place as part of HxGN LIVE Global 2022, has earned IEEE accreditation for Summit attendees. HxGN LIVE Global is Hexagon’s digital reality solutions conference, bringing together visionaries from around the world to discuss, debate and experience the autonomous future.
Engineers from all disciplines are required to earn professional development hours (PDH) or continuing education units (CEU) to maintain their IEEE membership. By awarding certification status to the Autonomy & Positioning Reality Summit, IEEE recognises the educative value of this industry-leading conference.
“The Summit has been designed as an education-first experience. Many of the presentations are based on case studies to show that an autonomous future is here, right now,” said Michael Ritter, president of Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division.
These case studies include applications from urban taxis and rural transit vehicles to off-road autonomous tractors and automated road-train hauling for mining.
“Along with demonstrating autonomy, we have speakers sharing how to build reliable and robust positioning solutions so your application becomes resilient against jamming, spoofing and interference,” said Ritter.
Summit attendees will be able to claim up to 10 PDH or 1 CEU to put towards their IEEE certificates. In addition to autonomy case studies, the Summit will share technical presentations on assured positioning, navigation and timing resiliency techniques, functional safety processes, sensor fusion methods and the benefits of positioning redundancies through correction services.
The Autonomy & Positioning Reality Summit will host keynotes from:
Dr. Robert Thirsk, engineer and astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency Mr. Michael Ritter, president of Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division Prof. Venkat Krovi, Clemson University Dr. Todd Walter, Stanford University Mr. Omar Ahmad, University of Iowa
Additional speakers announced include: Sandy Kennedy, VP of innovation; Lee Baldwin, director of core autonomy; Sara Masterson, director of positioning services; Gordon Heidinger, automotive segment manager; Bryan Leedham, enclosures and post-processing product manager and James Szabo, agriculture autonomy product manager. See the full programme here.
“Whether your focus is on assured positioning with global corrections and interference resiliency, or safe autonomy with perception sensors and functional safety, this summit illustrates the reality of autonomy and positioning technologies today,” Ritter said.
Don’t miss John Minor of the Sonoran Desert Institute on Dawn of Drones, Wednesday June 1 at 11:00 AM EST. Stream below:
Sonoran Desert Institute on Dawn of Drones! Join Dawn and special guest John Minor, Managing Director/Dean of the School of Unmanned Technology, Sonoran Desert Institute, our sponsor-of-the-month, as we kick off June and our “Emerging Industry Leaders” 4-week series on the podcast.
Sonoran Desert Institute was founded in 2000 and originally offered Gunsmithing as a program. In January 2022, SDI introduced the School of Unmanned Technology and began to offer the Certificate in Unmanned Technology – Aerial Systems program. This Certificate provides students with a solid foundation of historical, technical, and operational knowledge about UAS, including how commercial businesses make their operations more efficient, cost effective, and safe. Learn how SDI is developing the workforce of tomorrow and emerging as an industry leader in its own right!
Never miss a stream and bookmark us on your favorite networks:
Missed a recent episode? Catch up here!
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies. For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
The Regional Training Center (The RTC) and Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics (F1RST) have partnered to provide training to local, state, and federal government agencies.
“Florida is just the right place to be, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office exemplifies vision and innovation in public safety. The F1RST Facility will host ethical, outcome-based, quality training for Floridians and the region. I could not be more pleased to be there,” says Kris Allshouse, Executive Director, The RTC.
