The new Guinness World Record for the heaviest payload lifted by a drone is now held by the Forvola Mega Drone. This very impressive machine is the result of a collaborative effort by FPT Industrial and Forvola, and was recently shown during FPT Industrial’s Tech day.

As reported by C4ISRnet.com, DARPA has successfully controlled drone swarms in the face of intensive jamming in what is characterized as denied or contested airspace. Interestingly, the goal of DARPA’s Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) program the test was “for CODE’s human operator to monitor the swarm without micromanaging it, and instead to allow the autonomous drones to improvise and adjust as they pursue their mission.”

As reported by the AUVSI daily ebrief, Belarus’ Belspetsvneshtekhnika (BSVT) has developed an unmanned combat ground vehicle (UCGV) for export. The robot is named the Self-Propelled Robotized System (SPRS) “Berserk” and can operate singly, or in a team. Jane’s notes it can undertake a 24-hour patrol along pre-programmed routes while tracking objects of interest. It is equipped with (2) color cameras and (2) thermal imagers for day/night operations, and has a top speed of 5 km/h. It carries (2) 4-barrelled 7.62mm GShG Miniguns that are said to be able to hit airborne targets moving at up to 300 Km/h at 1 km distance.

The Marines want an unmanned vehicle capable of keeping up with its rifle squad and conducting squad resupply to unburden the grunt. A Request For Information recently posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website keeps options open, telling interested industry partners that the mode could be a “robotic applique” on existing systems, a remote-controlled vehicle or a fully autonomous transport.

DARPA’s research into brain-computer interfaces has moved to new horizons, with a human subject now able to mentally control multiple vehicles, and astoundingly, receive intelligible sensor feedback directly into his brain, apparently sidestepping gazing at a screen or haptic feedback.
“As of today, signals from the brain can be used to command and control … not just one aircraft but three simultaneous types of aircraft,” said Justin Sanchez, who directs DARPA’s biological technology office, at the Agency’s 60th-anniversary event in Maryland. …DARPA was able to improve the interaction between pilot and the simulated jet to allow the operator, a paralyzed man named Nathan, to not just send but receive signals from the craft.

As the Army integrates robots into its formations, from mule-like transports to single-soldier controlled drone swarms, it’s reaching out to industry and coming up with some novel solutions. This Venus Flytrap-like system has caught its eye.

The closing of Rethink Robotics is sad news, as this company was a pioneer in the development of robots that were emotionally sympathetic. One gravitated to Baxter at a trade show because the robot smiled back and looked at you, and its intelligently controlled end effectors appeared to be easily trainable working next to a human partner--breaking down the barriers between human and robot and helping establish the cobot concept. It seemed a remarkable step forward.

$2Million 1st Prize!
Underground settings are becoming increasingly relevant to global security and safety. Rising populations and urbanization are requiring military and civilian first responders to perform their duties below ground in human-made tunnels, underground urban spaces, and natural cave networks. Current technologies fail to provide first responders with persistent situational awareness of the subterranean operating environments in which they must operate.
Beginning in the fall of 2019, DARPA will conduct a series of challenges in which teams will compete in underground robotics challenges for substantial cash prizes. The purpose is to develop novel approaches and technologies that will allow warfighters and first responders to rapidly map, navigate, and search underground environments. These diverse environments include
 tunnels,
 urban underground, and
 cave networks

DroneDJ reported that Flirtey, a provider of drones and related technology, have worked with the city of Reno, NV to complete testing in a UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) that will save lives. In the test, a lone Flirtey pilot controlled multiple Flirtey drones in the delivery of automated external defibrillators (see white package floating downward). The FAA had granted a private waiver to allow operation of multiple drones by a single pilot. President Trump had earlier endorsed the IPP program (see photo).

As the drone industry explodes in size, technology advances proliferate and acquisition costs for commercial drone service providers increase. In-flight failures become ever-more costly as drones and valuable payloads are lost. To enhance safety of bystanders on the ground and to minimize losses owing to point failures in complex drone systems, the Austrian company, Drone Rescue Systems (DRS), has developed an intelligent parachute rescue system for safe drone landings.

Project Wing completed the first long-distance, residential drone delivery in the United States. The drone provided an aerial delivery of ice cream and a Popsicle, a mere six minutes after a Wing technician confirmed the order through the company’s smartphone app.
The Smiths were part of a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration-approved test that for the first time allowed delivery flights over congested areas where people live, and ventured beyond the view of its operator on the ground. It was the most realistic public demonstration to date in the U.S. that people may someday get near instant purchases sent to their home by unmanned devices.