--- title: [News] Robots + humans = the future of energy --- But not, like, Skynet style. This newsletter features vital energy unmanned systems updates, straight to your inbox. | View in browser April 28, 2021: Issue 135 Share this issue: No time for nonsense—if you haven’t subscribed, or passed along to your buddies, why not? It’s the best decision you’ll make today. Become an EDR Newsroom Insider today.   WHAT'S BIG Teamwork Makes the Offshore Dream Work When it comes to the epic battles of humans vs. robots, movies like Ex Machina or Transformers might come to mind.    But the energy industry is seemingly amid a similar battle. Some of the conversation makes it seem like offshore automation is an either-or <>—humans or robots. But it’s a false dichotomy.    To succeed into the future, the industry needs both humans and robots. We need robots to improve efficiency, data processing, and safety in ways humans just can’t. And we need humans to think, make judgment calls, be creative, and, of course, build and program the robots.    We’re not headed for a Blade Runner style future (we hope). If we do it right, we could live together in peace and harmony—like in Her, but way less creepy.   SPONSORED by...us!  April 29th (this Thursday, as in TOMORROW, 10 am CT!) - Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition: Methane Strategies Forum Today’s energy companies are finding methane emissions/leaks big and small with an astounding range of technologies, Satellites, Fixed-wing Planes, Helicopters, Fixed Wing Drones, Quadcopters, Vehicles, and Handheld Devices/Sensors all drive emissions reductions, boost public relations, investor support and corporate ESG goals.  Which technologies and projects will add the most value and usher your energy operations into the next generation?   Find out at this fast-paced 2-hour event on Thursday, April 29, at 10 am. It's free and can be accessed online. Click here to register.   WHAT'S UP Have You Heard the Autopilot Joke? It Just Took Off. Under the Sea: Subsea robotics company Houston Mechatronics is ramping up commercial production to meet demand for its AI-powered robotic systems for offshore wind infrastructure, underwater data centers, government entities, and more.   Hydro Flight: Doosan signed a deal with a Dutch government agency that will see its hydrogen drones take flight in the Netherlands, testing offshore solutions including drone delivery, marine monitoring, and search and rescue.   An Engineer Flies into a Bar: Engineers, not known for taking risks lightly, are continually finding the benefits of using drones to improve safety, reduce risk, save costs, and save time.   Ric Flare: BP said it will eliminate routine flaring of natural gas in its oil wells in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico by 2025. It plans to spend about $1.3 billion to build a massive network of pipes and other infrastructure to collect and capture natural gas. (Article is behind a paywall.)   Uneventful UAS Tests are Best: SkyLine, by uAvionix, is the world’s first certifiable C2 network that’s targeted specifically for UAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and is up and running at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in North Dakota.   Gas and Gadgets: From satellites to drones to cameras, state-of-the-art gear is helping scientists, activists, and regulators track & crack down on harmful methane leaks around the world. Care about the latest in methane emissions reduction tech & projects? Join us tomorrow, April 29, for the Methane Strategies Forum.   WHAT'S NEW It's the Tech, Trends & Projects We've Been Waiting For... Kaman Air Vehicles announced the first flight of unmanned helicopter K-MAX TITAN. Iris Automation started customer shipments of its Casia X detect and avoid system. Choctaw Nation and Martin UAV announced collaboration to test current and future Martin UAV platforms. Dufour Aerospace announced that it has secured additional funding to take its hybrid eVTOL aircraft into pre-production and certification. Blue Bear Systems released heads-up glasses to help operators to visualise drone swarms. FIXAR launched Hybrid V-Tol manufacturing in North America with Volatus in $1M deal. Flirtey implemented Kongsberg IRIS Airspace Awareness technology to enable FAA certified BVLOS drone deliveries. Robotic Skies, the commercial and industrial drone maintenance firm received investment from Japan-Based DRONE FUND.   WHAT'S NEXT Upcoming Industry Events: EnergyNEXT & Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition: Methane Strategies Forum, April 29, Yup Tomorrow! AUVSI: Xponential Virtual, May 4-6 Sprint Robotics: Focus on Clean Energy: The Impact of Robotics for I&M, May 26   WHAT ELSE Insane New Anti-Drone System Zaps UAVs Out of the Sky  Troublesome drones are not a new phenomenon. According to Leigh Madden, CEO of Los Angeles-based startup Epirus, drones are fast becoming a “staple of 21st-century warfare.”    To address this growing problem, Epirus, which builds modern defense systems to address 21st-century threats, has created Leonidas, a portable, powerful microwave energy weapon that can be used to disable a swarm of drones simultaneously or knock out individual drones within a group with extremely high precision.   It works by overloading the electronics on board a drone, causing it to instantly fall out of the sky. It is referred to as a Counter-UAS — or Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems — tool. Zap! Pow! Bam! Leonidas is the new superhero in town. (h/t - Digital Trends)   WHAT'S BETTER What's better than the Energy Drone & Robotics Newsroom? Not much (we hope!), except more great contributors and readers like you!   Forward this email with your colleagues and friends who want to hear the latest in energy drone & robotics news, and they can subscribe here.   — Connect with Us — Energy Drone & Robotics Newsroom is powered by InnovateEnergy and published by Stone Fort Group, Houston, TX. Writers: Megan Horn & Sylvia Ibarra  \|   Publisher: Sean Guerre For advertising information, contact Sean Guerre, seang@stonefortgroup.com. Send us your feedback, comments and suggestions. Copyright © 2021 InnovateEnergy, All rights reserved. InnovateEnergy, 12335 Kingsride Lane #420, Houston, TX 77024, USA Unsubscribe Manage preferences | | --- |