A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
At the recent AUSA event, drones and counter-drone technology were the focal points, showcasing the Army's commitment to innovation in defense. The Army is actively seeking to enhance competition among industry players by integrating new vendors into its procurement processes. This strategy aims to...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting tests on commercial counter-drone technology in collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies. Announced on October 1, this initiative by DHS's Science and Technology Directorate involves a week-long assessment at a federal test f...
Utopia Compression, a technology firm with over 20 years in the defense sector, is entering the commercial UAV and advanced air mobility markets with AI-based software solutions. Their technology, validated by clients like the U.S. Air Force and Navy, enhances situational awareness for drone operato...
Ouster, Inc. has partnered with Seneca to integrate its REV8 OS1 Max native color digital lidar into Seneca's autonomous drone platform. This collaboration aims to improve 3D perception capabilities in drones, enabling safer and faster operations in complex wildfire environments. The integration of...
Agri Spray Drones (ASD) has announced its shift from being a distributor of spray drones to becoming a manufacturer and technology company focused on agricultural drones. This evolution is driven by years of operator experience, which will inform product development, quality control, software, and a...
In a recent episode of the Drone Radio Show, Mike Horton, CEO of HYFIX, discussed the challenges facing U.S. drone technology. He highlighted the U.S. government's restrictions on foreign drone technology, emphasizing the need for domestic alternatives that are not yet fully developed. Horton point...
Ukrainian forces successfully evacuated a wounded soldier using a heavy-lift drone, marking a significant milestone in unmanned medical evacuation. This operation, announced by Ukraine’s 92nd Separate Assault Brigade on October 19, is noted as the first documented instance of such a rescue from the...
L3Harris Technologies and Skydio are collaborating to integrate tactical radio technology into military drones, specifically the Skydio X10D. This partnership aims to enhance U.S. forces' communication capabilities in electronic warfare scenarios by combining L3Harris radios and specialized waveform...
Elsight has unveiled a new positioning technology that enables drones and autonomous vehicles to navigate without GPS. This innovation is crucial as GPS jamming and spoofing pose increasing threats in military operations, complicating navigation and mission execution. The new system utilizes cellul...
Recent conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have highlighted the increasing importance of drones on the battlefield, a trend expected to continue as technology evolves. The effectiveness of these drones will depend on their ability to reduce cognitive load on operators, which is where Palladyne AI's decent...
Three US companies, Sesame Solar, Target Arm, and AG3 Labs, have introduced the first Made-in-USA Persistent Drone Operations Nanogrid. This innovative mobile system integrates power generation, autonomous drone launch and recovery, and configurable small drones to enhance operational efficiency in...
EOS Defense Systems USA is advancing its Slinger counter-drone system, integrating upgraded sensors and selectable autonomy. This next-generation system combines a 30mm cannon, targeting radar, and advanced stabilization, nearing the end of its development phase. Production is set to begin in Huntsv...
The Pentagon is set to increase the complexity of the Falcon Peak exercise by simulating urban warfare scenarios. This follows previous tests of counter-unmanned aerial systems (cUAS) technology in desert conditions, where the focus was on performance against heat and sand. This development is sign...
Ouster and Seneca have partnered to integrate Ouster’s Rev8 OS1 Max digital LiDAR into Seneca’s autonomous wildfire-response drones. This collaboration aims to enhance the drones' ability to perceive and navigate challenging environments, particularly during wildfires where visibility is often compr...
Dryad Networks, based in Berlin, has been awarded $800,000 in the XPRIZE Wildfire competition for its Silvanet sensor network and Silvaguard drones. These technologies successfully detected, verified, and suppressed target fires during the Autonomous Wildfire Response finals held in Alaska, where Dr...
Echodyne has secured an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of $250 million to support the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) Domestic Shield program. This contract allows the US government to order counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capabilities as...
Northrop Grumman has secured an $18.8 million contract to develop next-generation solid fuel ramjet propulsion for the U.S. Army's XRC missile prototypes. This initiative aims to improve the detection and engagement of unmanned aerial systems at extended ranges, addressing the evolving threats faced...
Taiwan is integrating U.S. technology with its shipbuilding capabilities to develop sea drones, responding to increasing maritime security challenges posed by China. This initiative is part of Taiwan's broader strategy to enhance its naval and coast guard procurement plans, aiming to bolster its def...
The Utah Division of Water Resources is investigating the use of drones for cloud seeding, aiming to replace traditional crewed aircraft tested from 2022 to 2025. This initiative represents a significant shift in how unmanned aircraft can operate within the atmosphere, merging aviation, meteorology,...
Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a whisker-based tactile framework that allows tiny drones to navigate complex environments without relying on visual input. Inspired by the natural whiskers of rodents, this technology equips drones with artificial whiskers that provide re...
The city of Raleigh, North Carolina, is utilizing drones and AI technology to create a digital twin aimed at addressing urban challenges and planning for future growth. Collaborating with tech partners like Esri, NVIDIA, and Microsoft, Raleigh seeks to enhance traffic management and urban developmen...
Sandbox AQ has successfully tested its quantum sensor-based Magnetic Navigation (MagNav) on Northrop Grumman’s Lumberjack drone, marking a significant milestone in unmanned aircraft systems. This test is the first of its kind for an attritable drone, showcasing the potential of quantum navigation in...
Ouster has announced two significant partnerships aimed at expanding the use of lidar technology in commercial drone operations. The collaboration with Flyability focuses on integrating Ouster's lidar into the Elios 3 drone, which is designed for inspections in confined spaces like mine shafts and w...
NestGen ’26, the largest online summit for drone autonomy, will take place on September 29, featuring over 50 speakers from more than 70 countries. The event will highlight the deployment of autonomous drone systems across various industries, including oil and gas, public safety, and transportation....
AIR VEV Inc. has formed a strategic partnership with Elmo Motion Control Ltd. to integrate high-performance motion control systems into its Heavy Lift UAS. Elmo's Gold HV drive will enhance the AIR 120D cargo drone's electric propulsion motors, ensuring precise control and efficiency. This collabora...
Recent advancements in military technology have led to the development of a missile-armed underwater drone that is expected to be quieter and harder to track than traditional submarines. This innovation aims to enhance naval capabilities and improve operational effectiveness in various combat scenar...
L3Harris and ARX UK have tested the CORVUS-RAVEN sensors mounted on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to enhance battlefield awareness. These sensors are designed to track approaching threats, allowing operators to maintain a safe distance from potential dangers. The implementation of the CORVUS-RAVE...
Teledyne FLIR OEM has partnered with the U.S. Army to advance thermal imaging technology under the DUTCH initiative. This program aims to develop smaller, more affordable uncooled infrared sensors for military applications, enhancing the performance of drones and other autonomous systems. The initi...
Taiwan has entered into a partnership with U.S. defense startup Vatn Systems to develop autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) aimed at enhancing maritime surveillance and defense capabilities. The agreement, signed with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), focuses on...
HoverAir has officially launched the Versa, a hybrid device that merges a professional handheld camera with autonomous flying capabilities. This innovative product allows users to capture stabilized footage and aerial shots without the need for multiple devices, appealing to a wide range of creators...
Flock Safety's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) have been instrumental in aiding law enforcement with locating stolen vehicles and missing persons. However, recent controversies surrounding the misuse of this technology underscore the necessity for robust policies governing its access and uti...
The United States is testing an innovative method to detect drones by utilizing its existing 5G networks. Lockheed Martin, along with its partners, showcased this technology near Miami in July, demonstrating how commercial wireless infrastructure can effectively support drone detection in busy envir...
Drone startup Neros has successfully raised $250 million in a funding round co-led by Sequoia, increasing its valuation to $2.5 billion. This investment will support Neros as it expands its offerings beyond strike drones to include autonomous systems and drone interceptors. The significance of this...
Shield AI and GE Aerospace have successfully integrated a 1990s thrust-vectoring technology, the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN), with the GE F110-GE-129E engine for the X-BAT unmanned combat aircraft. This innovative approach allows the X-BAT to take off and land vertically without the...
Drones are increasingly utilized in various capacities on the battlefield, yet power constraints typically necessitate larger drones for extended loitering and long-distance missions. Recent advancements in fuel cell technology are enabling smaller Group 2 drones to perform these tasks effectively w...
Ericsson and AT&T recently showcased their drone-tracking solution at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, utilizing 5G signals from existing cellular towers. This demonstration highlighted the Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology, which can detect drones in low-altitude airspace, add...
The U.S. Air Force is enhancing its counter-drone capabilities by integrating Teledyne FLIR Defense’s Argus XL platform into AeroVironment’s Titan Multi-Sensor system. This initiative is part of a three-year, $500 million contract under the Domestic Shield Program, aimed at protecting military insta...
Researchers at the Civil Aviation University of China are pioneering a method to recharge drones mid-air using laser beams aimed at receivers beneath their wings. This innovation addresses the critical issue of limited battery life, which has been a significant barrier in drone technology advancemen...
The Japan UAS Industrial Development Association (JUIDA) has introduced a Bear Mitigation Technology Showcase to address the rising bear sightings and attacks across Japan. This initiative highlights drone-based solutions from JUIDA member organizations, focusing on surveillance, deterrence, and hab...
In a recent episode of the Drone Radio Show, Michael Abdelmaseh, Head Engineer at PyroDelta Energy, discussed the company's innovative Capillary Casting process. This patented technology aims to harness waste heat, a largely untapped energy source in aviation, to produce solid-state thermoelectric g...
China has successfully created a three-dimensional map of Typhoon Noul from its inception to its conclusion using a swarm of drones. This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in meteorological technology, showcasing the capabilities of drone swarms in real-time environmental monitorin...
Washington's recent decision to ease export controls for the UAE is expected to enhance the country's domestic production of advanced drones and military hardware. The US Commerce Department's upgrade of the UAE to the A:5 export country group allows for easier access to dual-use technologies, inclu...
Anduril Industries and other drone manufacturers are focusing on Japan's technology as they seek to expand their supply networks in response to increasing global demand. The interest in Japanese component makers highlights the strategic importance of Japan in the drone industry's future growth. Thi...
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched a challenge aimed at developing heavy-lift drones capable of carrying payloads exceeding four times their weight. This initiative addresses the current limitations of multirotor UAVs, which typically have low payload-to-weight ratios...
BAE Systems has successfully completed the integration and deployment testing of its Anti Threat System (BATS), a counter-drone technology developed by its Digital Intelligence division. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of advanced counter-drone solutions. The compl...
The U.S. Army has entered a three-year partnership with Auriga Space to develop electromagnetic (EM) counter-drone technology. This collaboration aims to create a high-speed defense system against enemy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) using Auriga's innovative propulsion methods, which rely on electri...
XTEND Reality Inc. has secured a U.S. patent for its autonomous navigation technology, specifically U.S. Patent No. 12,222,735, which allows drones to navigate toward operator-designated destinations without reliance on the surrounding environment. This patent, also granted in Israel, supports the c...
The AUSA Annual Meeting and Expo in Washington concluded with a notable appearance by the defense secretary, highlighting the event's focus on military technology. The expo showcased a variety of advanced military equipment, including missiles, drones, and air-defense systems, underscoring the impo...
Smart Shooter has been awarded a contract by JIATF-401, allowing for a maximum order value of $150 million for its SMASH counter-drone technology. This contract is significant as it underscores the increasing demand for effective counter-UAS solutions in defense and security sectors, particularly i...
Corvus Robotics has developed the Corvus One drone specifically for cold chain environments, addressing challenges like thermal management and visibility in extreme conditions. This innovation allows for automated inventory counting in freezers, significantly improving safety and efficiency for ware...
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