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26 May 2023
Photo Above: AF25B w/3-axis gimbal, circa 2005.
<a href="https://copterworks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Copterworks</a> is a manufacturer of small unmanned helicopters founded in early 2000&rsquo;s, specializing in single rotor, gas-powered airframes. Along with production of their very first model, they introduced a companion three-axis camera gimbal&mdash;large enough to hold certain 35MM motion picture cameras, and light enough to be carried by their helicopters. The three axes of movement were actuated by modified RC servos and stabilized by helicopter Piezo gyros of the day. Their customers attached these gimbals to cranes, dollies, dune buggies and ultralight aircraft, in addition to their helicopters.
Throughout the years, the primary focus of the company has been providing general-purpose vehicles, as &ldquo;off the shelf&rdquo; components for UAS developers of all types. Offering the airframes with no flight control electronics means a simplified and expedited export process. Considering that historically, the majority of their customers have been from overseas, this has enabled them to export more helicopters, than total units sold by all their competitors combined.
Today, the majority of tasks performed by such helicopters have been taken over by multirotors, and to a smaller degree, electric helicopters. To keep up with these trends, they have added a line of unique quadcopters, making them one of the few manufacturers offering two distinctive types of aircraft. &nbsp;All Copterworks products are designed and manufactured at their Glendale, California facility.
<h5>Helicopters</h5>
Now as in the past, the primary focus of the company remains the development and manufacture of the most robust and innovative airframes. This component after all, is the cornerstone of any dependable UAS, without which the system is going nowhere. This is especially true in case of a helicopter-based system, as opposed to multirotors for example, which by comparison have a minimal number of moving parts, making the &ldquo;vehicle&rdquo; part of the equation less critical or distinguishable between one manufacturer and the next.
Helicopters in general are mechanically complex machines and require more frequent maintenance, in comparison to fixed wing aircraft and certainly multirotors. Copterworks designs their airframes to be as serviceable as possible, simple to operate in daily use and supported with full access to spare parts for DIY repairs.
Their latest helicopters represent the fourth generation in the incremental evolution of their product line.
At the center of every airframe they produce- including the electric AF20E, is the latest iteration of their robust and proven main gearbox, which became standard, starting with the AF25B- first introduced in 2005. You will find no plastic gears here. They&rsquo;re hardened steel, running in a wet sealed housing- and good for life of the aircraft. The main gearbox drives the tail rotor via a belt- a reliable and trouble-free combination and standard throughout their lineup.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/YHQSPnCJu1a8my0gembc8KvivdhLQ0QTVPATFeWS.png" alt="" width="670" height="279" />
The AF40, their current gas-powered model is offered in three varieties. These range from a basic package with an 80cc 2-stroke engine, to a top model powered by a 120cc 4-stroke, which includes an on-board starter/generator unit, offering hybrid boost capability, plus an electronic fuel injection. The EFI unit offers maximum fuel efficiency and consistent performance, regardless of altitude.
Depending on model, endurance ranges from 2- 4 hours, with payload ranging from 20-30 Lbs. A multi-fuel version is also under consideration and could become available soon.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/EqEMnkt6AetPx3wn2VZPY1Ogz6KFxyptEGx8hS44.png" alt="" width="668" height="255" />
For those applications where an internal combustion engine is not an acceptable option, there is the AF20E- built as tough as the AF40. The two have comparable proportions and payload capacities, and share many components.
In case of both electric and gas models, Copterworks fully intends to keep them available optionally as bare airframes, to serve customers who prefer completing their systems on their own, and to their particular specifications. At the same time, they are moving rapidly towards offering complete helicopter- based systems, for clients who prefer fully operational systems.
<h5>Quadcopters</h5>
D1 - their first quadcopter, marks Copterworks&rsquo; entry into the multirotor arena. Drawing from their extensive experience with helicopters, they&rsquo;ve produced a unique aircraft, with performance and function in mind. As of today, the D1 is the only multirotor on the market to hold a pair of Tattu 12S, 16000 MaH Smart Batteries, which are some of the largest available, internally. This optimal placement of the heaviest component, helps improve flight dynamics and allows simultaneous use of top and bottom payload rails.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/S5aA18caEiTWgf0AwzFJKnuB7tHpb9B8Vu1WBmZh.png" alt="" width="683" height="299" />
D1 with Herelink radio.
All electronics are individually sourced top-quality components, replaceable by end users as needed. Just as with their helicopters, they support users of these quadcopters with full access to spares for DIY repairs.
The system includes a Herelink radio/video transmitter set and Pixhawk Orange Cube flight controller- ready for an RFD900 telemetry set. Virtually all that&rsquo;s needed, is a pair of batteries and a charger.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/BXUHTJlGZFH0AAVnQQAucC0SRl2v6G2EVUhNJ8Qs.png" alt="" width="697" height="202" />
To make the D1 as portable as possible, every protruding feature folds, allowing this fairly large craft to fit in a surprisingly low-profile case, with nothing to detach- including the landing gear, and without the need to remove the batteries.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/OgiLIwON2Y5rjzk8UrHvhZWamoI0aM5OcByLrGM9.png" alt="" width="684" height="170" />
<h5>New Products on the Horizon</h5>
D1-X, their heavy-lift multirotor is nearly ready for release and intended to go head to head with some of the top competitors available today. Retaining the same main frame as D1, but with larger diameter motor arms, props and motors- more than doubling D1&rsquo;s payload capacity.
This will be followed by various optional hardware for attachment of payloads.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/tivMXPZ4CmdDlgZZpR00h46bpiPCMBXWIq9vABAb.png" alt="" width="685" height="366" />
In addition to products shown on their website, Copterworks undertakes contract manufacturing of components or complete aircraft- based on existing models, or all new designs.&nbsp;

Company Profile: Copterworks

19 May 2023
The <a href="https://draganfly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Draganfly</a> Heavy Lift Drone&nbsp;is a true game-changer that can effortlessly carry heavy payloads up to 67 pounds with precision and stability&mdash;making it an ideal solution for applications such as construction, infrastructure inspections, emergency response, and even transportation of goods in remote or challenging environments.&nbsp;Equipped with cutting-edge flight control systems and intelligent sensors, the drone ensures safe and reliable transportation of heavy loads, reducing the need for human involvement in potentially hazardous tasks.&nbsp;
In addition, the <a href="https://draganfly.com/products/heavy-lift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heavy Lift Drone </a>features an extended flight time of up to 50 minutes&mdash;as well as a range of approximately 19 miles&mdash;ensuring it can easily complete complex missions in a single flight. This significantly enhances operational efficiency and reduces potential downtime, making it a valuable asset for time-sensitive operations and large-scale projects.&nbsp;
Draganfly's&nbsp;Heavy Lift Drone represents a significant advancement in the field of aerial operations, enabling industries to streamline their processes, increase productivity, and enhance safety standards. The drone's versatility, combined with Draganfly's&nbsp;commitment to innovation and expertise&nbsp;in UAV technology, positions it as a game-changer&nbsp;across a multitude of sectors.&nbsp;
<h5>Watch The Droning Company Interview with Cameron Chell at Xponential 2023</h5>
<iframe style="width: 665px; height: 374px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EKbBSESEFHI" width="665" height="374" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/watch-comprehensive-coverage-of-auvsi-xponential-2023-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEE MORE INTERVIEWS FROM XPONENTIAL 2023 FROM THE DRONING COMPANY</a></h4>
<h5>See the Heavy Lift Drone in Action</h5>
<iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yy0ZUURXF44" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<iframe style="width: 667px; height: 375px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zJqWWIP3L5E" width="667" height="375" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h5>Deals for You!&nbsp;</h5>
[Note: The Droning Company may receive affiliate compensation]
<a href="https://draganfly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/iQlT0kCfzO84oMYcf7doo1cdTzjKhzYLAD5LC9jY.jpg" alt="" width="1032" height="156" /></a>

CEO Cameron Chell talks about Draganfly's Heavy Lift Drone

15 May 2023
Get an in-depth look at Draganfly's Commander 3 XL&mdash;courtesy of Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell and The Droning Company's Chris Fravel.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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XPONTENTIAL 2023 Gear: Draganfly

Enterprise Drones

We promise the Commander 3 XL by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/draganflyinc?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZXr4hHbOGn1dthvqTDH7CGjU8MYtHzWj5Jd7-btJKo9fwFfp0TXkmdy0RN5aq6JT0myQ1hVVeagvRQ_ba07-Y06D6OFcRJqGiuHBZ6VWPK9ELTALmkJcOsmTcA9DapOQ83juDcTA25_2pVv6GujQvPyfnoEUCCXqrSxBpL1Wo4h774BFG7AI-mgJ_4kLxY39Vk&amp;__tn__=-%5DK-R" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/draganflyinc?__cft__%255B0%255D%3DAZXr4hHbOGn1dthvqTDH7CGjU8MYtHzWj5Jd7-btJKo9fwFfp0TXkmdy0RN5aq6JT0myQ1hVVeagvRQ_ba07-Y06D6OFcRJqGiuHBZ6VWPK9ELTALmkJcOsmTcA9DapOQ83juDcTA25_2pVv6GujQvPyfnoEUCCXqrSxBpL1Wo4h774BFG7AI-mgJ_4kLxY39Vk%26__tn__%3D-%255DK-R&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1683160915114000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WVmxDwPzSibzWwfCvqwAP">Draganfly Inc.</a>&nbsp;is easy to set-up! Don't believe us? Check out this "how-to" video led by Draganfly's very own, Zach Rolfe. He puts it together in mere minutes!
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/211dPuOVGwc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;

Assembling the Draganfly Commander 3 XL | UAV Guides

18 April 2023
By Chris &ldquo;<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheDroneGeek/featured" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Drone Geek</a>&rdquo; Fravel
When you think of a commercial drone, what comes to mind? Do you envision a giant drone capable of carrying large shipments and packages? Or do you picture something out of an action-movie that is spec&rsquo;d out with thermal attachments and LiDAR sensors perfect for surveying large swaths of land?
There are many kinds of drones for many different types of work, but what if I told you there might be one drone that was capable of it all?
The <a href="https://draganfly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Draganfly</a> <a href="https://draganfly.com/commander-3-xl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander 3 XL</a>&nbsp;is marketed as &ldquo;the Swiss Army knife&rdquo; of drones. The question is, does it live up to its billing?
The only way to find out was to fly out to Draganfly's facility in Blanco, Texas, to see the Commander 3 XL in action and learn a little bit more about what the drone has to offer its potential users.
I flew into San Antonio and split my time between there and Austin, making the hour-ish long trek to Blanco each day. My liaison and point of contact for the trip was Draganfly&rsquo;s Program Manager for UAS Programs Aviation, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach--rolfe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zach Rolfe</a>. Rolfe wasn&rsquo;t just the guy who made sure I had what I needed to get around central Texas, he was also my expert reference regarding all things Commander 3 XL.
The Commander 3 XL is 64&rdquo; x 36&rdquo; x 12&rdquo; when fully assembled with propellers attached. It weighs 33 lbs. when not sporting a payload, and it can carry up to 22 lbs. for a maximum take-off weight of 55 lbs. In short, the Commander 3 XL is an absolute tank capable of a variety of different flight operations. And while that is all impressive, it&rsquo;s just scraping the surface of the impressive specifications on this drone.
Let&rsquo;s talk about what this drone can carry&mdash;and I don&rsquo;t just mean weight. As of right now there are five attachments that can be equipped to the Draganfly Commander 3 XL to conduct a variety of UAV missions:
&bull; <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.flir.com/support/products/duo-pro-r/#Overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FLIR DuoPro-R</a> Camera
&bull; 24MP RGB Photography Camera
&bull; 10x Zoom RGB Camera
&bull; 24MP RGB Mapping Camera
&bull; <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://support.micasense.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011389334-RedEdge-MX-Integration-Guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RedEdge MX</a> Mapping Camera
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about the Commander 3 XL is its modularity. In a conversation with Rolfe, he mentioned how intentional the modular components are on the drone. The idea being, with a variety of operations that will be conducted with the Commander 3 XL, it&rsquo;s crucial that pilots and asset managers can swap out and repair damaged or worn-out parts in the field. This saves time and money, and makes it extremely easy to recover the drone from an accident, and get it back up in the air&mdash;potentially within minutes (depending upon how many parts need to be replaced).
Rolfe took me through the initial set-up of the drone to give me a visual example of how easy parts are to assemble and disassemble. We will have a &ldquo;how-to&rdquo; video for set-up of the Commander 3 XL coming to our YouTube channel and website soon.&nbsp;
And if all of that wasn&rsquo;t enough, the Commander 3 XL has a variety of features that make it easy to learn for pilots of all skill and experience levels. It has an altitude hold and GPS-positioning feature that makes it an extremely reliable and sturdy piece of UAV equipment. Its folding landing gear allows for an unobstructed 360-degree view of your surroundings through camera payloads. It even has color-coded &ldquo;highlight points&rdquo; where pilots and asset managers should pay attention when assembling and disassembling the drone.
Draganfly, Inc. has outdone itself with the Commander 3 XL. Whether you&rsquo;re a data collector, or need to move goods and products via drone delivery, the Commander 3 XL will certainly meet your needs. If it doesn&rsquo;t, Draganfly&rsquo;s development and customer success teams will help you customize a solution until it does.
<h5>Watch Chris on the Road at Draganfly</h5>
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&nbsp;

Overview: Draganfly Commander 3 XL

28 January 2023
By Mike Walters, Vice President, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.flir.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teledyne FLIR</a>
Integration of new sensing types within UAVs is quickly making drones indispensable for industrial and commercial inspection applications. Going further, the ability to fly with multiple sensor types together, from visible imaging to thermal, is also improving the utility and productivity of operators ranging from UAV pilots to maintenance personnel acting on the inspection data.
However, just as critical to capturing the data in flight is interpreting the data post-mission. Whether the mission is to pinpoint water damage on a large warehouse roof or to assess solar panels within a solar farm, the ability to take that data and turn it into action is where UAV inspection drives true value.
<h5>UAV Inspections Start with the Airframe</h5>
Pilots need access to domestic drone makers making airframes and sensors that are secure by design. Since its introduction this fall, the Teledyne FLIR <a href="https://www.flir.com/products/siras/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIRAS</a> drone has impressed the industry with its mix of features that enable it to perform a variety of commercial and industrial applications quickly, easily, and securely.
The SIRAS does not connect to the internet, local Wi-Fi, or cellular networks. This prevents pathways that too easily enable third parties and hackers to view and steal data and images. All data is stored in high resolution on the aircraft microSD card, and low-resolution data can be stored on the controller microSD card. The drone is also not subject to geo-fencing, so control remains in the hands of the pilot. In other words, SIRAS enables pilots to launch within a minute of powering up, no questions asked, and take responsibility for knowing when it is safe to fly.
<h5>Watch!</h5>
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The SIRAS drone is also outfitted with a gimbaled dual-camera Vue TV128 payload, including a high-resolution radiometric thermal (<a href="https://www.flir.com/products/boson/?vertical=lwir&amp;segment=oem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FLIR Boson</a>), a 640x512 infrared thermal camera with 5x digital zoom, and temperature-measuring capabilities. The payload also includes a visible 16MP camera with up to 128x zoom to pinpoint details, all attached to a swappable quick-connect system.
It is the only complete airframe solution with the patented <a href="https://www.flir.com/discover/professional-tools/what-is-msx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FLIR MSX</a> technology. It adds visible edges and outlines to thermal imagery to provide critical information in real-time and for post-flight analysis. Unlike image fusing (merging visible light imagery and thermal imagery), MSX is additive and does not dilute the thermal image. The affordable SIRAS is well suited for industrial inspections, law enforcement operations, firefighting, search, rescue, and mapping missions.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/qQmDvT0wXuOVxAOUBJkjabarrHxrnNOyBjOnwdYV.png" alt="" width="476" height="303" />
Thermal cameras see tank levels and FLIR MSX embosses visible light edges on a thermal image. [Photo credit: Lone Star Drones.]
<h5>Effective Data Interpretation and Reporting </h5>
With an effective drone and corresponding payloads, the next step is to capture the data required by leveraging the pilot&rsquo;s skill, including flying in the right conditions and the right relationship to the target. Post-flight, processing images correctly and reporting those findings is vital&mdash;every step prior will not matter unless the data can be extracted and interpreted to accomplish the mission. <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.flir.com/products/flir-thermal-studio-suite/?vertical=condition+monitoring&amp;segment=solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FLIR Thermal Studio software</a> is a powerful tool to optimize captured images and video: to make accurate measurements, batch process images, and report findings&mdash;all in a single program.
The before-mentioned SIRAS professional drone provides high-resolution radiometric thermal imagery for industrial and utilities inspection. Pilots can efficiently manage thousands of thermal images and videos with advanced processing features when used in concert with FLIR Thermal Studio Suite. Then they can use that information as part of predictive maintenance or condition monitoring programs of critical components. Pilots can also conduct system troubleshooting to complete missions faster and more accurately than ever before.
<h5>Imaging Optimization Through Thermal Tuning</h5>
Sometimes, the raw imagery captured during a mission doesn&rsquo;t offer the related details or interpretation needed. Here, the pilot can load the data into Thermal Studio Suite to adjust how the image appears to make the appropriate determinations. Adjusting the image, such as the image color palette, or focusing on a specific area of interest to gauge the captured temperatures of a group of pixels, might be required.
The operator may also need to adjust the image&rsquo;s &ldquo;span&rdquo; manually, the window of temperatures the inspector is looking for in an image, and the &ldquo;Level,&rdquo; which is the mid-point of the span. Think of these definitions in terms of a television set, where span concerns contrast and level represents brightness. The operator can better examine temperature data within a specific range through this process, called thermal tuning. There might be hotter or colder temperatures measured in the scene, but if the operator is only concerned with measuring a specific temperate range, it makes identifying those temperatures significantly easier to save time and improve productivity.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/pY6TD5CJTZrSXYrrIY7M7k6IP4x18Pgy7YQdIFWS.png" alt="" width="483" height="321" />
Roof with adjusted span of 49.2&deg;F -66.4&deg;F enhances thermal anomalies that may denote an issue.
<h5>Batch Processing</h5>
One of the significant advantages of doing thermal inspections with drones instead of handheld cameras is the ability to inspect expansive areas quickly while capturing many images in the process. Plus, roof and solar inspections usually require capturing large datasets of images for creating orthomosaics and other collective data products. These datasets can be thousands of images.
Thermal Studio&rsquo;s batch processing function is a tremendous time saver for drone pilots. Batch processing empowers the user to select multiple images to process, then apply the same color palette, temperature scale, temperature measurement parameters, and more to the entire dataset in seconds. This can save hours preparing images for reports and entire datasets for stitching.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/709kDwX0FIOUqVQq77agOVGYgcEWVttfryinGXkd.png" alt="" width="489" height="253" />
 Batch processing applies parameters and more to multiple images simultaneously.
<h5>Reporting the Data</h5>
The final step represents compiling the processed images, videos, and data into a report that summarizes the key findings. Thermal Studio and other third-party software allow users to compile digital reports that can be shared with colleagues, customers, partners, and officials.
In Thermal Studio, once that analysis is complete, the software includes a button to add images to a report. Then, the user selects the appropriate report template, or they may create their own, and the system automatically generates the report. Thermal Studio reports also contain all the measurement data and notes fields for additional required commentary and recommendations. The report can be provided to anyone with Thermal Studio for editing and analysis, or it can be exported as a PDF for anyone to see.
<h5>One Solution, Start to Finish</h5>
The SIRAS professional drone and its dual-sensor payload provide critical information for industrial inspection, including for roofs, utilities, solar, and more. Paired with Teledyne FLIR&rsquo;s Thermal Studio, drone operators have the tools they need to complete inspections and publish reports with all the required data to ensure a successful mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/mcP82ic6FOgRZkFiw0mu9AtVqbehZ6i9VuSBE3K2.png" alt="" width="310" height="350" />
Share PDF reports to efficiently drive maintenance.

How To Use Multispectral Data from UAV Inspection Missions

25 January 2023&nbsp;
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://si14global-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2aFxLCa5HnMnAWOF8a6KmoOjN-DkqlmYCAaZM2PrNBskIOXbkhQEayB8bnDxCgDiln5sckUXlMLKtfMvK4bJUTJCn9VYtyg9Es8eftF1i3M2Yg9l8N8NPk2hyHwFPPY__ECMfwMKY6gi_5yZUivkNXL8mRbWU1QsK278P0RcFGYemCpM0U_giMPY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Percepto</a>, the leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solution provider, today announced Transport Canada approved Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) to operate Percepto&rsquo;s drone-in-a-box solution Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) at McConnell Lake Control Dam without a visual observer on site&mdash;a first in Canada.
A BVLOS Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) was issued for the Percepto Air Max autonomous drone-in-a-box, as provided by Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems and their GM Kevin Toderal, to perform remote inspections in a pilot project starting this month.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Laying the groundwork for similar highly-automated BVLOS SFOCs for other Canadian Percepto customers, the OPG facility will gain the benefits of remote, high-frequency visual inspection with actionable insights with the possibility to centrally control drone-in-a-box fleets at multiple sites.
The announcement comes shortly after Percepto achieved a U.S. nationwide BVLOS waiver, empowering qualified Percepto customers to immediately gain actionable insights from remotely operated drones. Percepto&rsquo;s automated drone-in-a-box technology has been deployed by other electric utilities to monitor the durability of power grid infrastructure and quickly detect problems, enabling faster response times and restoring power quicker after storms and other disasters.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/DpH5sTJPHlKdAmyrpzbdSS9Z20mjOWASJToulzCK.png" alt="" width="463" height="333" />
&ldquo;Obtaining this certificate marks a significant milestone in Canada to provide remote and autonomous inspections at power generating facilities, fulfilling Percepto&rsquo;s mission to provide safe and reliable critical infrastructure,&rdquo; said Percepto Policy &amp; Government Affairs VP Neta Gliksman. &ldquo;We look forward to growing our strong working relationship with Transport Canada and supporting their efforts to create a thriving environment for drone operations by making autonomous drone technology available to power stations and other critical infrastructure across the country.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Canadian power utilities are seeking to ensure their power grid and stations are as resilient as possible. Featuring the most ruggedized drone-in-a-box in the market, Percepto operations will be coordinated on a single platform through the company&rsquo;s Autonomous Inspection and Monitoring (AIM) solution. With Percepto AIM, drones can be operated remotely to ensure they work together in sync, providing maximum site coverage with increased safety, efficiency and ease of operation.
&ldquo;We look forward to gaining new operation and infrastructure insights at McConnell Lake Control Dam,&rdquo; said Ontario Power Generation Senior Information System Specialist Tim Trebilcock. &ldquo;Our hope is that this technology will help our efforts to ensure asset integrity and reliable electricity generation for Ontarians.&rdquo;
<h5>About Percepto</h5>
Percepto is the leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solution provider, revolutionizing how industrial sites monitor and inspect their critical infrastructure and assets.
Listed in TIME magazine&rsquo;s 100 Best Inventions of 2021, Percepto&rsquo;s AIM platform fully automates visual data workflows from capture to insight, leveraging the Percepto Air drone-in-a-box portfolio, alongside other robots and visual sensors. Using advanced machine learning and AI, Percepto AIM provides an end-to-end autonomous inspection and monitoring solution to assess risk, minimize downtime, drive efficiency, increase safety and reduce operational costs.
Percepto&rsquo;s solutions are trusted by Fortune 500 customers on six continents including Siemens Energy, Delek US, Koch Fertilizer and ICL Dead Sea Works. The company is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards including Edison Gold Award and Frost &amp; Sullivan Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award. For more information, visit <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://si14global-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2jcv_RMQ1Yd5ai_j7L2oIConW1nkUdh75VDkyQUeB1rMQOXbkhQGauqY7JFXOoQkO-HRail56WZfOq4QI3970KyBt85PGsWDj4rOP-qwL1spDud_O-eZ2HJzB2xzxJ_LYeFkptg37igtIjtXu0ZOlOcCojRlaXLmyOJvih7gBueJWDLf0MMO36oE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.percepto.co</a>.

Percepto Approved to deploy automated drones for monitoring Canadian power stations 

12 January 2023
The need for technology that provides accurate distance measurements, 3D modeling, and terrain maps continues to expand. Deploying unmanned Aerial Vehicles to collect imagery and conduct remote sensing offers unparalleled accuracy, and is also a low-cost alternative to manned aerial photogrammetry.
Various sectors&mdash;such as such as construction, emergency services, agriculture, and utilities&mdash;have started to embrace LiDAR systems, because they provide accurate and high-resolution large-scale digital elevation models for almost any environment.
<a href="https://draganfly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Draganfly</a> recently launched its <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://draganfly.com/lidar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Long Range LiDAR</a> system with a scanning range of approximately one-half mile. Draganfly&rsquo;s sensor technology can provide accurate distance measurements and improved resolution over conventional photogrammetry methods. Here are industries where Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system is making a difference...
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<h5>Construction and Infrastructure</h5>
Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system helps to streamline infrastructure projects and enhance productivity when building roads, buildings, and bridges. Data collected on this system provides detailed coordinates to produce accurate, detailed three-dimensional elevation maps that help plan the project, as well as help identify potential problems before work begins. The LiDAR system is also an effective monitoring tool to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
According to a research study by <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/lidar-in-construction-market?utm_source=globnewswire.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=paid_globnewswire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Market Insights Inc.</a>, LiDAR in the construction market is expected to reach a valuation of $1.5 billion (USD) by 2030. Growing government focus on infrastructure developments to enhance the connectivity between states and map various resourceful terrains&mdash;along with a requirement for protecting the public and infrastructure from external factors, such as natural disasters&mdash;will increase the demand for LiDAR technology.
<h5>Agriculture</h5>
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With an expanding world population, the need for intelligent farming has increased. The integration of Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system is critical for limiting the threat of food scarcity, as it generates detailed maps that can be used to identify areas that need attention. For example, the system can detect areas of low crop yield, identify areas of soil compaction, and detect weed infestations. This information is used to create a plan influencing fertilization, irrigation, and pest-management decisions.
In addition, the LiDAR system can monitor crop health, and determine if changes have occurred. By providing detailed maps of the land and monitoring changes in crop health, the system can help farmers make informed decisions about their practices and maximize their crop yields.
<h5>Archaeology</h5>
In the same way that LiDAR works in farming, LiDAR laser sensors help expedite the speed at which archaeological sites can be mapped out. Something that could take days to accomplish is now done within minutes, and with fewer personnel.
This equipment can easily detect buried archaeological features such as walls, roads, buildings, and other sites of interest. LiDAR helps create digital elevation models, which can be used to study topography and landscape evolution&mdash;providing detailed information about a site without excavation.
<h5>Disaster Recovery</h5>
Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system is a powerful tool for planning and coordinating recovery efforts following a disaster. LiDAR produces a powerful laser pulse to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps, which is essential when examining the damage caused by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. The information Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system provides can ensure officials make informed decisions, and that recovery efforts are successful.
<h5>Renewable Energy</h5>
Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system is transforming renewable energy projects. This technology can measure wind speed and direction, terrain elevation, and other environmental factors in renewable energy projects. LiDAR provides a detailed map of the environment and the best locations for projects, such as wind turbines, solar panels, and other renewable energy sources. LiDAR can provide real-time data to optimize the energy output of a project, ensuring the project remains healthy, as well as identify any potential problems.
<h5>Mounting Compatibility&nbsp;</h5>
Draganfly&rsquo;s Long Range LiDAR system is designed to be lightweight and durable, allowing it to be mounted on a variety of platforms. Draganfly&rsquo;s LiDAR system can easily attach to the Draganfly <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://draganfly.com/commander-3-xl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander 3 XL Drone</a>&mdash;a high-endurance, weather-resistant, multirotor UAV designed for easy assembly and rapid deployment. It is capable of drop-and -inch-down systems to transport up to 22 pounds of payload.&nbsp;
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Other mounting options for Draganfly&rsquo;s Long-Range LiDAR system include helicopters and other aircraft. It can also be used as a mobile scanning solution when mounted on a vehicle or backpack.
<h5>More About Draganfly</h5>
As more governments and businesses turn to drones, they are looking for sophisticated solutions that are versatile, reliable, and secure. Draganfly has been a leader in the professional drone industry for more than two decades, supporting clients with enterprise drone solutions, contract engineering services, custom software, professional UAV services, and more. In addition to developing cutting-edge drone systems that address real-world problems, Draganfly&rsquo;s products and services can be easily integrated into existing operations to improve business outputs and profitability.
<h5>Watch!</h5>
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Draganfly Long-Range LiDAR System

12 December 2022
Ascent AeroSystems is a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of compact, high-performance, rugged, and reliable drones for government, public safety, and industrial markets. With a unique cylindrical configuration that&rsquo;s more portable and durable than conventional drones, Ascent&rsquo;s coaxials can fly longer, farther, faster, and carry more. Built for mission-critical operations in the toughest environments, hundreds have been delivered to customers worldwide.
Ascent&rsquo;s American-made unmanned aerial systems are based on a patented coaxial design and have been optimized for durability, flight performance, versatility, low noise, and easy ground handling, especially in harsh conditions. The cylindrical airframe design is inherently durable and easily encloses critical components like motors and electronics, enabling true all-weather capability in heavy rain, sleet, snow, sand, and high wind. Ascent&rsquo;s coaxials also provide unprecedented versatility, leveraging top and bottom connectivity for dual payload and battery support. Two centrally mounted counter-rotating rotor discs are far more efficient than a comparable quadcopter, and the Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) also allows for the integration of virtually any payload or sensor.
Building on three generations of development, the product portfolio currently includes the flagship &ldquo;Spirit&rdquo; and the larger &ldquo;NX30&rdquo;. The Company&rsquo;s expert team of engineers continues to expand performance and utility to meet the needs of UAV operators within public safety, government, and industrial markets. &nbsp;
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<h5>Targets</h5>
Ascent AeroSystems&rsquo; has two primary target customer types: operators and system integrators. Operators seek turnkey, ready-to-fly solutions and can select from among a number of fully configured payload and control packages. System integrators leverage Ascent&rsquo;s existing vehicles as platforms in the development of fully integrated solutions. Ascent&rsquo;s coaxials are already optimized for reliable performance in harsh environments, and by using Ascent&rsquo;s coaxials as the airborne foundation, solution architects and engineers can focus on the software, sensors, and other areas of expertise rather than spending development resources on the aircraft. &nbsp;
&ldquo;While it might be relatively easy to build a quadcopter to establish a basic flight capability, operations at scale require reliable aircraft," says David Moro, Head of Vehicle Design. "Designing fit-for-purpose is actually quite hard, but the good news is we&rsquo;ve done the hard work so integrators don&rsquo;t have to. This is all we do."
<h5>Opportunities</h5>
Ascent&rsquo;s business and product development teams continually seek to understand evolving customer requirements. Where existing aircraft designs aren&rsquo;t ideally suited, Ascent&rsquo;s engineers can take advantage of the highly scalable rotor design to quickly develop custom aircraft. The range of payloads and sensors available for UAVs is evolving rapidly and Ascent&rsquo;s modular, open architecture strategy provides existing customers the ability to easily upgrade as new options reach the market. A Payload Development Kit makes it easy for payload OEMs to integrate their products with Ascent&rsquo;s aircraft and for highly specialized operators to create custom capabilities.
<h5>Challenges</h5>
Like all UAV companies, Ascent AeroSystems is subject to the challenges of a relatively nascent market where users are still defining how best to employ UAVs at an enterprise level. Despite these challenges, Ascent AeroSystems&rsquo; product strategy enables it to be a leader across enterprise UAV markets by demonstrating the ability to quickly upgrade airframes with the latest software and hardware technologies. &nbsp;
<h5>Innovations</h5>
Throughout 2022, Ascent AeroSystems worked diligently to identify capability gaps across a number of industries and verticals. Whether the need was greater payload capacity, longer endurance, or a smaller form factor with a lower audible signature, Ascent&rsquo;s aircraft design team has the experience and expertise to rapidly meet these requirements. In April 2022, the company announced the NX30, a scaled-up Spirit configuration that provides even more payload capacity or extended on-station endurance for larger payloads.&nbsp; The first deliveries to an undisclosed launch customer occurred in December of 2021. The company also provided a glimpse of a sub-250g coaxial to select customers beginning in August of 2022.&nbsp; The availability of that model has not been released.
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<h5>Compliance</h5>
In the United States, NDAA and compliance RemoteID continue to dominate the regulatory landscape for most UAS manufacturers.
In 2021, Ascent AeroSystems&rsquo; Spirit platform was selected for a rigorous flight test and cyber vulnerability evaluation by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) under the Blue UAS 2.0 program. Designed to clear selected unmanned aerial systems for procurement by the Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies without the requirement for further testing or waivers, the Spirit was officially certified by the U.S. government in May 2022.
The Blue UAS Program is meant to speed up the technology adoption process within the U.S. Government. Traditional contracting can take up to 18 months, so by the time a new solution is "approved" requirements often change, and more advanced solutions are on the market. DIU&rsquo;s Blue UAS program not only validates the technology but also gives operators confidence in the system&rsquo;s performance capabilities.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got class-leading dispatch reliability and performance&mdash;that&rsquo;s critical for all of our customers, including public safety agencies, enterprise operators, and drone service providers,&rdquo; says Paul Fermo, VP of Business Development. &ldquo;In order to prove out both business and operational models for mission-critical operations like Drone as a First Responder (DFR), material delivery, and other enterprise network services, customers need a robust platform that can not only get the job done but also be compliant with new regulations. Ascent AeroSystems offers those solutions.&rdquo;
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Ascent AeroSystems is the winner of the 2022 Droning Award for <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/most-innovative-drone-design" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Most Innovative Drone Design.</a>
<h5>Learn More</h5>
More information on Ascent AeroSystems&rsquo; coaxial UAVs can be found at <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="http://www.ascentaerosystems.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.ascentaerosystems.com</a>.
Follow on social media for real-time updates, product launches, and demo opportunities.
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-aerosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LinkedIn</a>.
Contact Sales: <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="mailto:Sales@ascentaerosystems.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sales@ascentaerosystems.com</a>
Ascent AeroSystems Contact Media: <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="mailto:Media@ascentaerosystems.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Media@ascentaerosystems.com</a>
<h5>Watch!</h5>
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Ascent AeroSystems

8 December 2022
<a href="https://www.autelrobotics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Autel Robotics'</a> Vice President of Technology and Training Jon McBride knows drones. He has worked with everything from RC planes to $150,000 enterprise drones and everything in between for more than 20 years.
In his own words, it takes a lot to impress him. <a href="https://www.autelrobotics.com/productdetail/dragonfish-series-drones.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Autel Dragonfish</a> managed to do just that.
<h5>The Dragonfish</h5>
Most drones are either multirotor or fixed-wing. The Autel Dragonfish series combines the best features of both to offer a UAV unique to the ever-growing industry.
The Dragonfish is an arguably simple concept: combine the mobility of a quadrotor with the endurance of a fixed-wing. It&rsquo;s the same principle as the V-22 Osprey in U.S. military service. The tiltrotor system allows vertical takeoff and landing plus top-tier flight time for an electric UAV. The Dragonfish also features the latest in flight intelligence, autonomous tracking, subject identification, and camera payloads.
&ldquo;The Dragonfish was unlike anything I&rsquo;d ever seen before,&rdquo; said McBride, &ldquo;and in 21 years, I&rsquo;ve seen a lot of stuff. It&rsquo;s very difficult to impress me with just technology.&rdquo;
He joined Autel Robotics in 2021 as a trainer, and spent most of the year travelling around the country, instructing companies and departments in the Dragonfish&rsquo;s operation. He quickly saw a need for an in-house training process to familiarize pilots with the drone&rsquo;s features and considerations.
&ldquo;One of my reasons for joining Autel Robotics was that I had learned that manufacturers don&rsquo;t always have clear directions or training for their products&mdash;and this is an issue throughout the industry,&rdquo; said McBride. &ldquo;My passion is to try to educate people and develop manufacturer-certified training.&rdquo;
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Jon McBride presents on the Dragonfish during the Unmanned Tactical Application Conference, October 2022.
<h5>New Capabilities &amp; Requirements</h5>
Dragonfish pilot Ben Tristan experienced that need when responding to a wildfire in his Texas hometown. Tristan, a drone pilot for the Texas Department of Public Safety, offered to deploy his Dragonfish to help local firefighters. When he arrived at the scene, the commanders, who had mostly worked with quadrotors, thought the Dragonfish was similar.
&ldquo;There was some talk of putting me with a crew on the ground to drive around the roads where the hotspots were&mdash;like what we do with the quadcopters,&rdquo; explained Tristan. &ldquo;And I started explaining to them that this wasn&rsquo;t going to work. I needed to be somewhere central where I could support a lot of people. So they set me up at the command post. So I get up in the air and very quickly, I can see where the hotspots are at. The main commander for the forest service was there and I hooked the HDMI into a big screen, and the next thing I know, I have a huge crowd gathered around.&rdquo;
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Texas DPS Officer Ben Tristan depoys a Dragonfish during the Pine Pond Fire, August 2022. [Credit: Texas A&amp;M Forest Service via Incident Information System]
The Dragonfish had powerful capabilities, but they weren&rsquo;t immediately apparent, and it was easy to assume it was just like a quadrotor, only larger. After explaining its role, Tristan was able to use the Dragonfish to its full potential, providing overwatch, monitoring hotspots, and checking at-risk homes behind the fire line.
One key feature was its coordinate display, where GPS coordinates were displayed at the center of the camera frame. This allowed commanders to direct ground crews to precise locations, especially useful for slow-moving assets like bulldozers.
Another useful feature was simply its flight time. With a two-hour endurance, the Dragonfish could respond to multiple requests for overwatch, or check multiple at-risk homes without stopping for a battery change.
The drone proved its worth to everybody at the scene, but it also demonstrated the need for training and knowledge of its capabilities.
<h5>In-House Training Solution</h5>
In 2021, Autel launched the Autel Robotics Training Course (ARTC), an industry-first certificate program for the Dragonfish. The online course trains pilots in the basics of the drone&rsquo;s assembly, maintenance, and flight systems. This standardizes knowledge for Dragonfish users and reduces in-person training time.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re&hellip;aligning with FAA standards so we can be the first drone manufacturer to require a certificate in order to operate the Dragonfish,&rdquo; said Mariah May, an Autel team member who worked directly with McBride to build the training program. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had some good feedback already that [customers] felt very prepared going into instructor training.&rdquo;
<h5>Jon McBride Interviewed by Chris Fravel&nbsp;</h5>
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<h5>A Busy Year&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h5>
The Dragonfish isn&rsquo;t the only Autel drone to receive the spotlight this year. The consumer-focused EVO Nano and Lite series both won several design awards, including Red Dot and IF Design Awards in 2022.
The year took Autel around the world, from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia, and to every corner of the U.S. They&rsquo;re looking forward to an even better 2023, with new products and continued support for the thousands of people who trust their drones to get the job done.
<h5>About Autel Robotics</h5>
Autel Robotics is a team of industry professionals with a passion for technology and years of engineering experience. Since its founding in 2014, Autel has always striven for customer-driven innovation and is continually working to raise the industry standard for drones. The company&rsquo;s headquarters is in Shenzhen, the heart of China&rsquo;s tech industry; it also has R&amp;D bases around the world including Seattle, Munich, and Silicon Valley. For more information, visit <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.autelrobotics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.autelrobotics.com</a>, follow Autel Robotics on Facebook and Instragram&nbsp; (@autelrobotics). or subscribe to the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AutelRobotics/featured" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Autel Robotics YouTube Channel</a>.

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