Autonomy Bytes

Ground-based infrastructure to enable Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations is a critical but often overlooked component for aerial cargo delivery applications including eCommerce or healthcare missions or other tasks in challenging environments. These tools often have advanced levels of automation or autonomy to interface with UAS, airborne cargo delivery solutions, and operators or users on the ground. 

In 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created a durability and reliability-based process for small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) manufacturers to obtain type certifications for their aircraft. There are several key benefits to completing the process, including pathways for expanded safe commercial operations over people and Beyond Visual-Line-Of-Sight (BVLOS) flights.

It's the first anniversary of Autonomy Bytes! This episode looks back at the engaging guests and interesting topics from the first 12 episodes, while previewing the future of the show and coming advances in the autonomy industry.

Interview with Seth Schwartz, UAS Program Manager for Commercialization and Technology Transfer for the Sinclair College National UAS Training and Certification Center, in the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) XPONENTIAL 2021 XPO Hall.

Interview with Alexandre Meldem, U.S. Office Managing Director for Flyability, in the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) XPONENTIAL 2021 XPO Hall.

Interview with Dr. Ronald Storm, Managing Director of Greycliff Industries, in the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) XPONENTIAL 2021 XPO Hall.

In August 2021, Andrew Shepherd attended the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) XPONENTIAL conference in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, he interviewed several show attendees as guests for the podcast. In episode 012a, Andrew and Ryan Smith discuss Andrew's experience at the conference and highlight the three floor interviews included in episodes 012b, 012c, and 012d. 

Automation and autonomy are quickly advancing from research to implementation in large commercial trucks and powered equipment. The Innovative Semi-Autonomous Truck and Off-Highway Powered Equipment (ISA-TOPE) project, led by the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence (TCOE), is addressing the need for truck and equipment technicians and operators through development of technical college programs leveraging new and innovative equipment and curriculum. 

The capabilities of small unmanned aircraft continue to advance across all technology areas, including propulsion. Ramjet designs have reached sizes, weights, and performance levels that make them viable powerplants for systems that require high speed for research or future operational uses. Of course, significant increases of speed create new challenges and opportunities related to autonomy as well.

As technology continues to advance, laws, regulations, and policies must also be developed and updated to ensure the safe and effective application of autonomous systems. Although there are challenges, many opportunities exist to collaborate and benefit from autonomous capabilities.

The expanded integration of automation and autonomy in passenger and commercial vehicles has necessitated changes to automotive maintenance training programs to include the advanced sensors, computers, and other systems required for their operations. The Sinclair College Automotive Technology department traces its origin to 1906 and continues today with cutting-edge programs and partnerships incorporating the latest automotive industry advances.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics, representing corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government, and academia. In addition to the benefits provided from the central organization, AUVSI includes a robust network of members and chapters from across the globe.

The National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) is leading the education of the United States’ autonomous technologies workforce through a concerted effort focused on expanding educational resources to address current workforce demands, develop career pathways, and broadly engage stakeholders from education, industry, government, and related National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education centers and projects.

Ohio has long been home to innovation, particularly in the aviation and automotive industries. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio and FlyOhio initiatives continue that tradition by investments in cutting-edge technologies and development of partnerships to advance ground and air autonomy through smart mobility and airspace integration projects.

Advances in Autonomous Surface Vessels and Vehicles (ASVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) continue, enabled in part through the cutting-edge research occurring at the Michigan Technological University Great Lakes Research Center and the Smart Ships Coalition Marine Autonomy Research Site.

The rapid advances in automation and autonomy across many applications and industry sectors have created an ideal environment for entrepreneurs to establish businesses and create new tools, services, and products.

Modeling and simulation have been developed into useful tools for research, training, and education. Increasingly, they are also being applied in operational environments including Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) solutions.

The impact of wildfires on the American West has been catastrophic, but drones are proving to be a great tool for first responders and emergency management agencies.