Sponsored by The British Robotics Seed Fund
http: www.britbots.com/fund
————————————————————————
16 Aug 18. Raymarine updates Axiom UAV app. Raymarine has updated its Axiom UAV app with a new LightHouse 3.6 OS update, the company announced on 7 August. The LightHouse 3.6 update for Axiom multifunction display (MFD) offers integration with DJI Mavic Pro UAS. The app combines navigation with advanced unmanned aerial imaging for the automation of various common tasks such as launch, airborne imaging, in-flight navigation and return-to boat. In addition to the automatic flight modes, Axiom UAV also offers virtual on-screen joysticks for manual flight. With the use of the UAV GOTO command on Axiom or Axiom Pro chartplotter screen, the UAV can be sent out on a mission. Using GPS navigation, the Mavic Pro will fly to the precise selected location and hover on station. While airborne, the UAV can be viewed on the navigation chart along with its course, speed, altitude and camera orientation. (Source: Shephard)
15 Aug 18. Turkey, Indonesia support UAV. Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) has expanded its engagement with Indonesian aerospace and defence companies in a bid to support collaboration on programmes including a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project. TAI said in a statement that it held a workshop in Jakarta on 14 August with local aerospace and defence companies “regarding possible co-operation on several upcoming bilateral opportunities such as a UAV tender for the Indonesian Ministry of Defence”. TAI confirmed that in bidding for the UAV programme it is offering its MALE Anka UAV. TAI added that it is “ready to fine-tune” the Anka system “to satisfy the requirements of the Indonesian end-user through integrating … Indonesian suppliers into its supply chain”.
However, TAI also said that collaboration opportunities will not be limited to the Anka. “It will be a sustainable, long-term, win-win relationship,” it said, “in which all parties will find opportunities to advance their business goals in local and global markets in the medium [term].” Earlier this year, Arie Wibowo, director of production at state-owned Indonesian aerospace company, PT Dirgantara (PTDI), told Jane’s that PTDI and TAI were close to formalising an agreement to collaborate on developing the Anka UAV to meet the requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU).
Wibowo said the project would facilitate technology transfers from Turkey to Indonesia to support joint development and localised manufacturing. He added that once the terms of the collaborative partnership had been established PTDI and TAI would build fully operational prototypes within 12 months. Wibowo added that when the programme enters mass production other Indonesian aerospace companies would enter the supply chain, although the scope of such engagement would depend on the how many Anka systems the TNI-AU required. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Aug 18. Spain seeks UAVs to protect overseas training missions. The Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opened a bidding contest to supply unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help protect troops posted on overseas training missions. Some EUR4.3m (USD4.9m) has been budgeted for the class 1 small remote aircraft (20 kg), which are expected to be delivered before the end of 2018. The MoD says the armed forces are finding themselves involved in training missions abroad where protection and security levels at the bases they work at are sometimes “minimal”. Each of the two systems being procured will have three UAVs and payloads, and two ground stations, along with launching and recovery systems. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Aug 18. Goshawk Destroys Rogue Drones by Brute Force. Israeli startup RoboTiCan Ltd.’s solution to attack drones? Sending a bigger drone to hunt them down midair. RoboTiCan’s drone can detect, intercept, and crash into hostile drones, destroying them. Dubbed Goshawk, the drone interfaces with radar systems to detect unmanned aerial vehicles from an undisclosed distance and uses machine vision and artificial intelligence technologies to identify threats. Once a hostile drone is detected, the Goshawk can autonomously launch itself to collide with the drone, sending the smaller aerial vehicle crashing down. This robust octocopter measures 30 inches in diameter and ditches common plastic propellers for stronger and lighter carbon fiber props. Founded in 2013 and based in the southern city of Beer Sheva, RoboTiCan develops autonomous robotic systems for land and air. The company develops systems for both defense and commercial applications. (Source: UAS VISION)
————————————————————————-
The British Robotics Seed Fund is the first SEIS-qualifying investment fund specialising in UK-based robotics businesses. The focus of the fund is to deliver superior returns to investors by making targeted investments in a mixed basket of the most innovative and disruptive businesses that are exploiting the new generation of robotics technologies in defence and other sector applications.
Automation and robotisation are beginning to drive significant productivity improvements in the global economy heralding a new industrial revolution. The fund allows investors to benefit from this exciting opportunity, whilst also delivering the extremely attractive tax reliefs offered by the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). For many private investors, the amount of specialist knowledge required to assess investments in robotics is not practical and hence investing through a fund structure makes good sense.
The fund appoints expert mentors to work with each investee company to further maximise the chance of success for investors. Further details are available on request.
www.britbots.com/fund
————————————————————————