Hasta La Gadget!

The US Army’s not-so-secret Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) spy blimp is better at staying hidden than we thought… if unintentionally. Although it was due to fly the friendly skies of Lakehurst, New Jersey in mid-June, Northrop Grumman’s usually unmanned surveillance was only just caught floating over the Jersey Shore as part of a maiden flight on August 8th. The conspicuous, delayed test run proved that the LEMV could take off, steer and land smoothly, and started a series of exercises that should culminate in combat trials over Afghanistan at the start of 2013. Northrop’s KC Brown Jr. tells Wired that there’s a possible (if purely coincidental) consolation for missing another deadline — the airship could be used in a pinch for carrying as much as seven tons of supplies without getting into harm’s way, albeit at a fairly glacial 30MPH. The successful first flight won’t be much consolation to Mav6, whose Blue Devil 2 was scuttled at the last minute after technical issues; it’s nonetheless a relief for US troops, who may get weeks at a time of constant intelligence on enemy movements. Catch a short snippet of the early LEMV journey after the break.

Continue reading US Army’s LEMV spy blimp spotted hovering over New Jersey, may take up cargo duties (video)

Filed under: Robots, Transportation

US Army’s LEMV spy blimp spotted hovering over New Jersey, may take up cargo duties (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 06:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Wired  | Email this | Comments

Combat is a grizzly business, and despite the best efforts of medical evacuation crews, it’s not always feasible to send rescue teams into the fray. The US Army is seeking to address this with “autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)” (read: drones) for dropping off medical supplies and picking up injured troops. In its latest request for research and development proposals, the Army calls not for new tools, but for the repurposing of current aircraft to do the job. Preferred candidates in the already unmanned class include the A160 Hummingbird and the K-MAX, while one of the suggestions for remote-control modification is the infamous Black Hawk. Makes the AR.Drone seem a little wimpy, doesn’t it?

Filed under: Robots, Transportation

Army seeking proposals for casualty-carrying UAVs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Aug 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired  |  US Army  | Email this | Comments

Switzerland’s EPFL has managed to catch our attention with its various UAV-related activities, and it looks like it’s also been the radar of Parrot, maker of the AR.Drones. EPFL announced today that the French company is investing 7.4 million Swiss Francs (or about $7.5 million) in two companies that have been spun out of the institution: senseFly and Pix4D. As you may recall, those two have collaborated in the past, with senseFly providing the camera-equipped UAVs necessary for Pix4D’s 3D mapping software. Broken down, the investment works out to 2.4 million Francs put into Pix4D and five million invested in senseFly, the latter of which is enough for Parrot to claim a majority stake company. As for the future, senseFly’s CEO says that the deal will give Parrot “access to the expertise and the technology for specialized drones,” while Pix4D’s CEO says that the investment “reinforces our position as a leader in software for professional drones” and opens up new business opportunities. It also makes it clear, if it wasn’t already, that Parrot is getting pretty serious about drones. You can find the official announcement after the break, along with a video from EPFL explaining the deal.

Continue reading Drone-maker Parrot invests $7.5 million in two EPFL spin-offs, sets sights beyond toys

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Drone-maker Parrot invests $7.5 million in two EPFL spin-offs, sets sights beyond toys originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Yesterday we looked at a drone that’s meant to be used for peaceful purposes. We are now back to our scheduled programming. MBDA Missile Systems recently unveiled the CVS301 Vigilus system, a “suite of future strike weapons” composed of small UAVs that are deployed via a launch aircraft. Oblivion descends.

As shown in a demo video, the Vigilus system will be capable of deploying (at least) two types of UAVs from Armatus, a mothership that looks like two blimps fused together. The first UAV is Caelus, a “scout missile” meant to be used for recon and to paint a target for its big brother, the other UAV, which is called Gladius. Both have 1kg warheads, but the Gladius has enough fuel to fly for 2 hours, while the Caelus has a smaller range. The Vigilus system can be controlled either by soldiers in the battlefield or by an operator in a remote station. We’re screwedius.

What’s next, a ship with a nuclear-powered beam cannon? Zerglings? Check out the source links below for more terrifying information.

[MBDA via New Scientist via Emergent Futures]

We hear more and more about military drones that spy or even conduct attacks, but a company called Rotary Robotics knows that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs can be used for peaceful purposes too. The company is working on bringing affordable drones to the masses. So you can spy on your neighbors and attack them with water bombs.

Rotary Robotics calls their project Drones for Peace. The company has entered the MassChallenge program – a competition for startups and entrepreneurs – to boost the project’s progress. As for the drones themselves, they won’t be as high tech as the ones used by the military (nor should they be). The goal is to create $100 drones that are meant to take pictures from the air. To further reduce the costs, these drones won’t be controllable. Instead, users will tell the drone where or what to take a picture of via a smartphone app. Once the drone is launched, it determines its movements on its own, goes to the right spot, takes the picture and goes back. So scratch the water bomb attacks.

There are already alternatives for sale like the Parrot AR.Drone, but a $100 drone will be a game changer. Rotary Robotics hopes that their cheap drones will help enhance activism and citizen journalism, as well as help people do their jobs and of course have fun. Unfortunately, once they see this, thieves and perverts will also no doubt be eager to take their lows to new heights.

[via Fast Co. Exist]