DroneDeploy launches Thermal Live Map

DroneDeploy, a drone software company with the largest drone data platform in the world, today announced the launch of Thermal Live Map, a real-time mobile mapping solution which delivers insights only thermal imagery can reveal.

A first-of-its-kind feature, Thermal Live Map visualizes temperature range variability and creates instant thermal maps for quick, data-guided decisions on the job site. DroneDeploy is the leading cloud software platform for commercial drones, and is making the power of aerial data accessible and productive for everyone.

Trusted by leading brands globally, DroneDeploy is transforming the way businesses leverage UAVs and aerial data across industries, including agriculture, construction, mining, inspection, and surveying. Simple by design, DroneDeploy enables professional-grade imagery and analysis, 3D modeling and more from any UAV on any device. 

The new solution is particularly valuable for firefighting, giving firefighters the ability to see through smoke and keep track of their personnel in large fire scenes. Thermal Live Map also helps locate precisely where the fire is hottest and provides definitive confirmation the fire is extinguished in specific areas. Thermal Live Map allows first responders to view hundreds of acres in minutes —day or night— penetrating hard-to-reach and hard-to-see terrain where missing or injured persons may be awaiting rescue. 

Thermal Live Map also helps growers spot field stress in real time. They identify irrigation issues, detect ripeness, and analyze plant health early to solve problem areas and avoid lost harvests. "Thermal mapping is one of the most common and difficult requests from our customers to date, but the reward equals the challenge," said Mike Winn, CEO of DroneDeploy. "Live Map makes thermal insights more accessible while increasing safety and efficiency on job sites." 

The new solution uses the latest advancements in edge computing to generate thermal drone maps locally on iOS devices as a DJI drone flies.

Additive Manufacturing to build UAVs for extreme weather conditions

Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing materials originally developed for the motorsports industry by CRP Technology in Modena, Italy, and Mooresville, North Carolina, are being used to manufacture Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones.

Engineers at CRP Technology and Hexadrone, crafted a modular UAS using Laser Sintering technology and Windform composite materials. CRP Technology, CRP Group’s specialized company in advanced 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing solutions, developed the Windform family of high-performance composite materials.

Engineers implemented a rugged, waterproof design to construct Hexadrone’s first fully modular, easy-to-use UAS made for extreme weather conditions and industrial and multipurpose applications. Rapidly swappable arms and three quick release attachments make the Tundra-M extremely flexible to meet the needs of any profession, while making operational conditions easier to maintain, officials say.

Hexadrone officials asked CRP to devise the functional prototype of the Tundra-M, Hexadrone’s very first mass-produced drone: “We have engineered our drone by means of a cautious, multifaceted, and collaborative based approach with the involvement of broad-based stakeholders,” Hexadrone CEO Alexandre Labesse says. “In the course of two years of consulting, research, and development, we have gathered all the advice and customers’ testimonials useful to its design and which finally helped us in the process of devising an ideal UAV solution.”

Suitable for different flight scenarios and professional uses, the multifunctional Tundra-M boasts four quick-connect arms and three accessory connections. The body and other main parts are made of composite polyamide-based material. Carbon-filled Windform SP and Windform XT 2.0 materials are shaped into pieces using the Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing Technology. The four arms supporting the body frame of the Tundra were 3D printed using Windform XT 2.0 composite material. The rest of the components were developed with the Windform SP composite material.

Understanding the limitations with traditional manufacturing technologies, the companies identified the opportunity to develop a unique UAS based on the use of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies. Additive Manufacturing technologies in UAS applications has presented both opportunity and challenges to engineers in the field. The ability to produce parts and components using AM technologies hold promise in both metals and plastics, whereas traditional subtractive manufacturing technologies can be restrictive in design development and material selection.

Alpha: Image Stabilization Technology

Alpha Unmanned Systems, the manufacturer of the Alpha 800 gasoline-powered helicopter UAV, has partnered with Sightec, a developer of video image stabilization and object detection software: “Sightec’s onboard processing eliminates the shakiness caused by vibration on 1, 2 and 3 axes and makes the images recorded easier to analyze than ever before. Using Sightec, we significantly reduce man-hours previously needed to detect moving objects,” said Eric Freeman, CEO of Alpha. “Flying at 1,100 meters altitude, imagery from the Alpha 800 taken over Jaén, Spain appears crystal clear. Man-hours are reduced and bandwidth requirements needed for transmission are minimized.”

Gabriel Sachor, President and CEO of Sky Sapience, a tethered drone manufacturer, commented, “the incorporation of Sightec’s technology with the Alpha 800 platform makes video imagery completely stable and makes automated analysis easier than ever. Both Alpha and Sightec provide excellent technology and it is great to harness the power of them working together.” Operating without a gimbal, Sightec’s image stabilization electronic solution eliminates vibrations on 1, 2 or 3 axes. Sightec’s technology helps facilitate many applications for the Alpha 800, from border surveillance to infrastructure inspection. Roy Shmuel, CEO of Sightec, stated, “We are delighted to integrate our technology into the Alpha 800 platform. With 2.5 hours of flight time, our image stabilization system makes the image analysis work very easy and accurate. Alpha is a reliable partner with a world-class helicopter platform and we are very pleased to work together.”

Neurala Named in CB Insights’ AI 100 List

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a frequently-used buzz word in the UAV industry. As true AI continues to evolve, its influence on the commercial UAV industry will be significant: Boston-based deep learning neural networks company Neurala has been included in CB Insights’ Artificial Intelligence 100 list, a ranking of the 100 most promising private AI companies in the world.

Neurala has developed The Neurala Brain, ”a deep learning neural network software that makes smart products like cameras, robots and drones more autonomous and useful,” says the company. “Neurala uses a bio-inspired approach to mimic the way the human brain learns and analyzes its environment.” Neurala has made a name in the UAV industry over the last few years because the Neurala Brain is “edge” AI technology, meaning it can continue learning and refining algorithms from a UAV.

The possibilities range from inspections of energy installations, for example, where the Neurala Brain might be able to learn specific signs of concern, to the more dramatic and interesting: Neurala’s Brain has been used on UAVs in Africa to differentiate poachers from roaming animals at night, notifying personnel who are able to take action in protecting wildlife. “This is a fitting end to a big year for Neurala, and it is an honor to be included in this prestigious list,” said Massimiliano “Max” Versace, co-founder and CEO of Neurala in a company announcement. “2018 will be the year for learning on the edge and building a super brain. We are excited to be leading the charge, poised and ready to transform industries, and excited to take part in changing the world for the better through artificial intelligence.”