Industry Briefing

A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.

U.S. Navy Awards Packet Digital $9.8 Million to Scale Drone Battery Production in North Dakota

U.S. Navy Awards Packet Digital $9.8 Million to Scale Drone Battery Production in North Dakota

Packet Digital and its subsidiary, Badland Batteries, have secured $9.8 million from the U.S. Navy as part of Phase 3 of a contract aimed at developing advanced battery cells compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This funding will facilitate the manufacturing of these battery cells in North Dakota, specifically designed for logistics drones and unmanned systems. The initiative reflects the Navy's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of its drone technology and defense systems. The investment is expected to boost production capacity and support the growing demand for reliable energy sources in military applications.

battery technology Drone News Drone News Feeds drone technology Dual Use News
ND UAS Council Adds Grand Forks DDA to Strengthen Drone Ecosystem

ND UAS Council Adds Grand Forks DDA to Strengthen Drone Ecosystem

The North Dakota UAS Council has announced the addition of the Grand Forks Downtown Development Association (DDA) as its newest member, a move aimed at strengthening the connection between the state’s drone industry and its downtown community. This announcement was made on June 9, highlighting the council's commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation within the drone ecosystem in North Dakota. By integrating the DDA, the council seeks to enhance local economic development and promote the growth of drone-related initiatives in the region.

Drone News Drone News Feeds News State Government State Policy Autonomous Systems
Vantis BVLOS System Adds New Partner, FAA Waiver Across 5,000 Square Miles

Vantis BVLOS System Adds New Partner, FAA Waiver Across 5,000 Square Miles

Frontier Precision has received a new FAA waiver allowing it to operate any NDAA-compliant drone weighing under 55 pounds across more than 5,000 square miles of airspace managed by Vantis, North Dakota’s advanced beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) system. This development marks Frontier Precision as the second champion operator to join the Vantis network, which aims to enhance drone operations in the region. The waiver facilitates expanded BVLOS operations within the four designated Vantis service volumes, significantly broadening the scope of drone activities in North Dakota. This partnership is expected to advance the integration of drone technology into various sectors, promoting innovation and efficiency in aerial operations.

BVLOS Drone News Drone News Feeds Long Range News Agriculture Drones
RobotToday Initiative

Robotics needs a service framework.

RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.