--- title: [News] A Drone’s Work is Never Done --- No vacation for the unmanned. This newsletter features vital energy unmanned systems updates, straight to your inbox. | View in browser May 5, 2021: Issue 136   TOGETHER WITH 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 Eyes in the Skies Many utility companies conduct Comprehensive Visual Inspections (CVIs) with ground teams and helicopters. The process can be dangerous, expensive, and slow—and still not capture close to all the areas of concern (AOCs).   Dominion Energy, which maintains more than 6,600 miles of overhead electric transmission lines, has seen successes working with PrecisionHawk to conduct drone-based inspections: Increase in AOCs identified Decrease in aircraft emissions Improved worker safety And more Drone technology can help utility companies watch their assets like a hawk.    SPONSORED  Teamwork Motors Make the Unmanned Dream Work My Motor is Smarter Than Your Motor Do you make drones, robots or anything unmanned? We make them even better!   IQ makes smart electric motors. With position sensing and our proprietary calibration and control software, we optimize motor performance and controllability.  Our mission is to democratize advanced motor control by boosting performance, reducing costs, and enabling entirely new vehicles.   How the heck do we do it?  Glad you asked! IQ’s Vertiq Line products are integrated BLDC motors and controllers with embedded position sensors, designed for high performance UAVs.  With its release, IQ is bringing commercial-grade propulsion technology to an industry that is currently being held back by hobby-grade components. The Vertiq 8108 is an integrated motor and controller that delivers high end motor performance to UAV and robotic applications in an extremely compact and lightweight package. Revolutionize your machine with high performance and low cost motors at iq-control.com    WHAT'S UP Drones to Skies Like Bees to Honey A Leg Up: ANYbotics is launching a new end-to-end robotic inspection solution for operators of energy and industrial processing plants. The solution combines ANYmal, the new fully autonomous four-legged robot, and inspection analytics software.   To Infinity and Beyond: Thanks to new contracts, a joint venture, and a merger, Ocean Infinity’s robotic vessel fleet is growing. The company is also developing an autonomous offshore wind farm inspection service using aerial drone swarms deployed from its Armada vessels.   AND We’re Just Getting Warmed up on Swarms...   Swarm Up: Drone swarm technology stands (or flies) to play a major role in the UAV industry in the near future, from Military applications to commercial deployments...and beyond.   AND Still Swarming!   Calm Before the Swarm: The weight limit on drone deliveries may soon get a lift with Georgia Tech’s new coordinated drone swarm delivery system, which uses multiple coordinating drones to carry bigger and heavier cargo.   UAS for the USA: Only recently have federal agencies started to test drones to protect important infrastructure and assets. Experts are arguing for more initiatives to protect critical infrastructure with the help of UAS.   No More Hanging Out: Using digital twins can help reduce the need for on-site bridge inspections—with workers hanging down from structures—that are dangerous, labor intensive, require expensive equipment, create inconveniences for travelers, and can be inaccurate and error prone.   Lonely Robot: Equinor is deploying an autonomous robot on an offshore platform. The Taurob Inspector, a 40-in.-tall information-gathering device on treads, will be inspecting equipment and reporting problems it identifies.   WHAT'S NEW It's the Tech, Trends & Projects We've Been Waiting For... Skydweller Aero validated flight hardware and autopilot software for their solar powered aircraft. Kraken closed acquisition of Brazilian underwater robotics company, 13R, which focuses on autonomous underwater inspection in offshore oil and gas as well as renewable energy. Manna, Irish drone delivery startup raised $25M for US expansion, hires Wing veteran. Nordic Unmanned and Aeromon entered JV for the maritime emission monitoring market.   WHAT'S NEXT Upcoming Industry Events: AUVSI: Xponential Virtual, May 4-6 Sprint Robotics: Focus on Clean Energy: The Impact of Robotics for I&M, May 26 Women and Drones: Women to Watch Global Awards, Nominations Close May 14 NACE: Robotics for Corrosion Management, Inspection, & Maintenance, June 1-2   WHAT ELSE Weed Zapping Self-Driving Robot for the Green Thumbs  Carbon Robotics, a Seattle company led by Isilon Systems co-founder Paul Mikesell, is unveiling its self-driving robot that uses artificial intelligence to identify weeds growing in fields of vegetables, then zaps them with precision thermal bursts from lasers.   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 | | --- |