Photo credit: Quaternium
Spain-based Quaternium collaborated with EFI manufacturer Löweheiser, a company known for the world’s smallest fuel injection system optimized for unmanned aircraft, to set a new flight record for UAVs. Using the experimental electric hybrid (gasoline + electric) HYBRiX 2.1 drone, the flight began at 8:20 am in the morning with a full tank with 16 liters of fuel and landed at 6:34 pm, or approximately after 10 hours and 14 minutes in the air.
Photo credit: Roman Ignatowski and Maja Bryniarska
In case of emergency, time is of essence, and what better way to ensure the quickest help than with an autonomous ambulance? Meet the ERKA Autonomous Ambulance, which comes with a built-in drone that can survey the area to locate the person(s) in need of attention. Its compact design allows the vehicle to skip around traffic safely, while its wheels are capable of turning 90-degrees for maximum maneuverability.
Let’s face it, standard drones just wouldn’t last very long at a commercial construction site, that is unless…you’re using an Aertos 130IR. Built by Digital Aerolus, this drone boasts a carbon fiber composite frame, four reinforced propellers, and nine sensors, including LiDAR, that help it navigate even the trickiest of obstacles. In addition to the collision-tolerant frame, what really sets it apart is the Folded Geometry Framework (FGF), an AI system that enables the drone to self-correct during flight.
China-based eVTOL developer EHang has their latest project, an intelligent firefighting variant of its 216 autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV), called the 216F. This model was designed specially for high-rise buildings, as it’s capable of carrying up to 150 liters of foam and six fire extinguisher bombs in a single trip.
FLIR Systems has won a $39.6-million contract to deliver FLIR Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS) in support of the United States Army. These miniature drones will support platoon as well as small unit level surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as part of the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) Program.