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<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>17 May 2023</em></span></p>
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">The Following Article by Teresa Whiting and Edited by Ryan Lydon is Courtesy of NASA</span></strong></em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>NASA</strong></span></a> is building the system to make soaring over traffic in air taxis, providing public good missions in the form of medical and emergency response by drone, receiving packages faster, and participating in a sustainable and safe mode of air transportation a reality. This new form of transportation is called&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/aam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Advanced Air Mobility</a></strong></span>&nbsp;(AAM).</p>
<p>Hear from some of our subject matter experts who are at the forefront of this research to learn about NASA&rsquo;s important role in the creation of this exciting new industry.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/aam-for-emergencies.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emergency Response</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/evAZWNM48LXzpxx2n3UMjYEACzaaUKla75mvVpCr.png" alt="" width="628" height="537" /></strong></span></p>
<p>AAM has the potential to aid in disaster relief, assist in firefighting missions, and provide supplies to hard-to-reach areas during an emergency event.&nbsp;Several projects that support the AAM mission are working on elements to help make AAM a reality in emergency operations.</p>
<p>Episode 1:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVKN8p2ElU4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Misty Davies explains</a></strong></span> the value and feasibility of how AAM can assist in emergency response.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/aam-for-healthcare.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Healthcare</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/2Dvv5I2pwShJErG969aWk9R4VdpFSr631gIbqQVX.png" alt="" width="639" height="547" /></strong></span></p>
<p>AAM has the potential to provide medical transport for people and supplies around the world. Several projects under the mission are working on different elements to help make AAM a reality in medical operations.</p>
<p>Episode 2:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGdiLPOYgcY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Davis Hackenberg explains</a></strong></span>&nbsp;why AAM is well suited for use in healthcare operations.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/aam-looks-toward-automation.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Automation</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/ygprHSfmfcdHgoPeUOjl1k0hV0gkqspEpIxzdkEH.png" alt="" width="644" height="551" /></strong></span></p>
<p>NASA is researching the automation software that will perform airspace communication, flight path management, avoidance with other vehicles, and more skills needed to operate in a busy airspace.</p>
<p>Episode 3:&nbsp;<strong><span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXY5sxT3J0Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kenneth Goodrich points out</a></span>&nbsp;</strong>some of the automation research NASA is doing.</p>
<h5><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/aam-plans-for-vertiports.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vertiports</a></span></strong></h5>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;"><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/khcOJgyy5lo3c2dPw1ihBFSC24rKBovMte4VhiZC.png" alt="" width="639" height="547" /></span></strong></p>
<p>Many AAM aircraft designs will be electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOLs, so they will have the ability to take off and land vertically like helicopters. NASA is researching where these vertiports or vertiplexes, which are multiple vertiports in proximity, will work into existing infrastructure.</p>
<p>Episode 4:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDZUhHvo4bg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marcus Johnson explains</a></strong></span>&nbsp;the role that vertiports will play when eVTOLs are flying in our sky.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/aam-aims-to-shorten-travel-time.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Travel Time</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/jTn3y0F4wcvDkgIfC3quvdYo4jv0p8X8unqp2Noz.png" alt="" width="638" height="546" /></strong></span></p>
<p>With the addition of AAM, another dimension of the sky is used for travel below traditional aircraft and above cars, buses, or trains below. NASA is researching how AAM could cut traffic commutes, make travel more sustainable, and make road trips shorter.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Episode 5:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jEFSek02VA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Mike Guminsky</a>&nbsp;</strong></span>as he explains how travel will be positively impacted by the addition of AAM.</p>
<h5><strong><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasas-advanced-air-mobility-researches-noise.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Noise</a></strong></h5>
<p><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/jljvNEE1VuysuC6j1ibxxoNzTkDUfWI1AHjOJwfi.png" alt="" width="637" height="545" /></strong></p>
<p>NASA is developing design tools that manufacturers of AAM aircraft can use to reduce noise made by their aircraft. Data from NASA testing will help define and optimize flight paths and assist the Federal Aviation Administration in creating policy.</p>
<p>Episode 6:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY7x0ZIaMiA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Susan Gorton</a></strong></span>&nbsp;as she explains how NASA's research will help inspire quiet and less disruptive aircraft.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/building-the-infrastructure-for-advanced-air-mobility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Infrastructure</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/WtUUqpybPWP7vqPLcSvFhIgp7ZZ5lMgcdovAt0OB.png" alt="" width="636" height="448" /></strong></span></p>
<p>NASA is researching how adding new aviation capabilities will affect communities. This includes physical areas of focus &ndash; including adding vertiports to existing airports and creating charging stations &ndash; and digital areas of focus, how aircraft will communicate with one another and with air traffic control.</p>
<p>Episode 7:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpc24C3TGw4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Shivanjli Sharma</a></strong></span>&nbsp;about how NASA is developing infrastructure solutions, both physical and digital.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/envisioning-a-future-airspace-with-advanced-air-mobility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Future Airspace</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/c9BCWK2DxcOu7z3tGK684TQ4iR3S7BY3RpGQamWH.png" alt="" width="662" height="425" /></strong></span></p>
<p>Industry and government partners must develop new air traffic management technologies so new types of aircraft can fly safely with existing aircraft. NASA is helping research new automated navigation systems that will improve airspace coordination.</p>
<p>Episode 8:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqoQtxSSymY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from William Chan</a></strong></span>&nbsp;as he explains how NASA&rsquo;s airspace technology research will enable new aircraft to safely fly with existing aircraft.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/for-advanced-air-mobility-safety-is-paramount" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Safety</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/MSPgTIJhr5Wj5kuzMzoKED3zSQ2nAwr5ny0HRyeS.png" alt="" width="643" height="413" /></strong></span></p>
<p>Before new types of aircraft can fly in the airspace, the FAA needs to ensure they are safe. NASA is evaluating how the addition of advanced automation systems and improved vehicle design can guarantee this new class of aircraft is safe to operate.</p>
<p>Episode 9:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3f1vPIeh88" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Natasha Neogi</a>&nbsp;</strong></span>as she explains the ways NASA&rsquo;s safety research will impact AAM.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/smooth-rides-ahead-for-advanced-air-mobility-aircraft">Ride Quality</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/AV7S6FpD5wZoBzU6ykk6A182gIrryvObi49ZWPMf.png" alt="" width="636" height="408" /></strong></span></p>
<p>In order to create a viable market for eVTOLs, designers will have to create a comfortable passenger experience. NASA&rsquo;s research will provide design guidance to industry manufacturers, ensuring passengers will have a smooth ride.</p>
<p>Episode 10:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nit_Fql4vXo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Carlos Malpica</a>&nbsp;</strong></span>as he explains why NASA&rsquo;s research in passenger ride quality is important to the future of flight.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/advanced-air-mobility-aids-in-cargo-delivery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cargo Delivery</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/SZ4HHEOlXyxfW3EUqu8fR5tFbZXWFILz8XYZkZ18.png" alt="" width="654" height="420" /></strong></span></p>
<p>Advanced Air Mobility has the potential to revolutionize the cargo transportation industry by providing faster and cleaner modes of moving packages. This will include both large cargo delivery aircraft and small package delivery drones.</p>
<p>Episode 11:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8eNuesRaXc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Kurt Swieringa</a>&nbsp;</strong></span>on how NASA is uniquely qualified to find solutions for moving more packages by air.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/advanced-air-mobility-makes-travel-more-accessible" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Accessibility</a></strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/ur3fR74hoikobpyfoobm8UY6h910p1CrIrYgiEgX.png" alt="" width="633" height="323" /></strong></span></p>
<p>AAM will connect both urban dwellers and rural residents by adding a new way to travel by air. Like commercial air travel today,&nbsp;accommodations&nbsp;will need to be made to these aircraft to cater to all levels of ability. This could include installing ramps for wheelchair access, specialized seats and seatbelts, and added visual and auditory aids to make the aircraft ADA compliant.</p>
<p>Episode 12:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egRgkAdr620&amp;feature=emb_logo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hear from Nancy Mendonca</a></strong></span>&nbsp;about how AAM will allow for more accessible ways to travel from city to city and city to rural areas.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Learn More!</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 681px; height: 383px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X-L3ly7rCxQ" width="681" height="383" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><strong><em>The Droning Company's Chris Fravel interviews NASA Deputy AAM Mission Integration Officer at Xponential 2023 in Denver, Colorado.&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

NASA Creating Advanced Air Mobility Playbook

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>11 May 2023</em></span></p>
<p class="speakable">Be the first in your group to launch a dead-bird drone?</p>
<p class="speakable">It could happen...</p>
<p class="speakable">The <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics</strong></span> has revealed scientists have developed a method of attaching electronics to preserved bird carcasses to create "camouflaged" drones.</p>
<p class="speakable">Creepy.</p>
<p>These dead-bird drones are called "ornithopters," and they actually fly like living birds with mechanical propellers flapping their vampiric, taxidermy-conserved wings. Onboard electronics can include cameras, microphones, and other surveillance gear.</p>
<p>But this project is not solely about Big Brother&mdash;or Big Bird&mdash;watching over us. The primary directive of the reseachers is to explore methods of incorporating biomimicry into new technologies. In the case of dead-bird drones, the goal might be to offer scientists a less invasive and "natural" way to study wildfire.  &nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Absorb More</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 665px; height: 374px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bDCgt1vDpLY" width="665" height="374" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Robotic Bird Biomimicry&nbsp;</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 660px; height: 371px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w6VLzKACnS8" width="660" height="371" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Bird Biomimicry Informs New Drone Design

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>10 May 2023</em></span></p>
<p>More than 1,000 drones were invited to the Coronation Concert of <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>King Charles III</strong></span> on May 7, 2023.</p>
<p>But they weren't solely for the enjoyment of the new king at the Windsor Castle event.</p>
<p>In the United Kingdom's first-ever multiple-location drone show, ten towns and cities in the empire were treated to a dazzling choreography of lights&mdash;all featuring animals while a recorded message from King Charles about the critical importance of conservation accompanied the drone displays.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch!</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ooHBJZRU64Q" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Drones Light Up King Charles' Coronation Concert

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>3 March 2023</em></span></p>
<p><a href="https://lightwarelidar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>LightWare LiDAR</strong></span></a>, a South African-founded global leader in microLiDAR sensor technology, has announced the formal appointment of <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Nadia Nilsen</strong></span>&mdash;current interim CEO&mdash;into the position of Group CEO.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/3DSrcSrVX0v9zwV4mn46RAvYjahsFy5Tar3UyELI.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="261" /></p>
<p>LightWare develops innovative laser rangefinder products for machine perception applications, giving &ldquo;eyes to machines&rdquo; by designing and manufacturing the world&rsquo;s smallest and lightest precision LiDAR systems for use in drones, robotic machines, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and other applications.</p>
<p>&ldquo;There are very exciting global opportunities the LightWare team is capitalizing on," says Nilsen. "As pioneers in LiDAR technology, we will continue to set the pace in terms of microLiDAR sensors.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nilsen has been with LightWare as a co-founder since 2015, joining <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>James Portman</strong></span>, whom she had worked with before at his company Laser Measurement, which was acquired by ABB in 2010.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Nadia has been part of LightWare since the company&rsquo;s earliest days," says Portman, now Chief Technical Officer for the group. "In her former roles as Chief Financial Officer and as Chief Operations Officer, she demonstrated exceptional skills that helped lay a stable foundation for our rapidly growing company. For me personally, having such an experienced and execution-focused leader in charge of the business that I spent so many years building, finally gives me the freedom to concentrate my efforts on the design and development of the ground-breaking products that have become the LightWare brand. I wish Nadia the best of success in her new role as CEO of LightWare, and I am sure that her drive and passion will continue to underpin the growth of the company.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The appointment marks the end of a smooth handover from Portman to Nilsen&mdash;the culmination of a long-term succession plan that ensures that all shareholders and customers continue to experience the best results from their affiliation with LightWare.</p>
<p>Group CRO, Philip Constantine, says: &ldquo;Nadia is a dedicated team player that has led the charge from the trenches. Her tenacity and dedication is what earns the entire team&rsquo;s respect. I wish her every success in this new role.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Developing LiDAR technology that fits its customers&rsquo; needs and specific application requirements, has always been a strong focus for LightWare. The company believes that LiDAR has many valuable uses that will benefit humanity in ways that have not yet been realized.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Our technology finds use cases in various sectors," says Nilsen. "We have customers who are counting wildlife for conservation purposes, others who monitor the calving of icebergs, and another who creates interactive art incorporated into architecture and parks. The possibilities are endless. We are currently working on longer-range technology at affordable price points to enable applications like BVLOS flight for unmanned UAVs. The next frontier is to build further intelligence into the technology to augment the edge computing already offered.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In 2020, LightWare raised capital from Sanari Capital, a private equity firm investing in growth companies emanating from Africa&mdash;mainly South Africa&mdash;with regional and global scalability and exposure. Sanari has invested $3.4 million in support of LightWare&rsquo;s expansion and growth strategy.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are delighted to announce Nadia&rsquo;s formal appointment to the CEO role, which she has been successfully fulfilling since her promotion to interim CEO in August 2022,&rdquo; says Samantha Pokroy, CEO of Sanari Capital and Chairperson of LightWare. &ldquo;Already, Nadia has made a mark with her leadership and we know our investment and the prospects of all of LightWare&rsquo;s stakeholders are in good hands.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;As a majority women-led firm, we recognize the significance of visible female leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries. We are therefore inspired by Nadia&rsquo;s achievements and the example she sets for other technology and industrial sectors, encouraging girls and women to pursue and excel in STEM-related fields.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About LightWare LiDAR</strong></span></h5>
<p>LightWare was founded in 2011 by James Portman, later joined by Nadia Nilsen and Phillip Constantine, as co-founders. The company pioneers LiDAR technology and has evolved this powerful extra-sensory capability into small, lightweight, and high-performing sensors, coined microLiDAR, that enable machines to perceive their surroundings, unlocking a new era of autonomy.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 661px; height: 372px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s-OR7cyQWpQ" width="661" height="372" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

LightWare LiDAR Appoints Nadia Nilsen Group CEO

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>2 March 2023</em></span></p>
<p>As venture capitalists slow their spending due to the U.S. economy, investments in drone startups dropped to $1.4 billion last year, compared to $2.2 billion in 2021.</p>
<p>However, <a href="https://www.skydio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Skydio</strong></span></a> has started 2023 with a bang, charting the largest funding round by a drone manufacturer this calendar year&mdash;a $230 million Series E, putting the company at a valuation of $2.2 billion.</p>
<p>Skydio makes drones for the consumer, enterprise, and government markets, and has realized 30x growth over the past three years.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Drones enable the core industries that our civilization runs on&mdash;transportation, public safety, energy, construction, communications, defense, and more&mdash;to operate more safely and more efficiently by putting sensors wherever they&rsquo;re needed, whenever they&rsquo;re needed, while keeping people safely on the ground,&rdquo; said Skydio co-founder and CEO <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Adam Bry</strong></span>.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>More on Skydio</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/51rBairjJGA" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/best-3d-mapping-drone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/best-3d-mapping-drone</strong></span></a></p>

Skydio brings in $230 million for Series E funding round

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>23 February 2023</em></span></p>
<p>The chatbot ChatGPT has already made writers and service-industry workers nervous with its ability to answer questions and pen essays, news articles, and catalog content.</p>
<p>Well, now programmers can join the "job-anxiety" club.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Microsoft</strong></span> researchers just published a research paper on how ChatGPT can "streamline the process of programming software commands to control various robots and drones."</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c40f; background-color: #000000;"><a style="color: #f1c40f; background-color: #000000;" href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/group/autonomous-systems-group-robotics/articles/chatgpt-for-robotics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>READ THE COMPLETE PAPER HERE</strong></a></span></h5>
<p>ChatGPT was trained on massive libraries of human text&mdash;including the code for software programs&mdash;and it has already proven it can write and/or debug programs in several languages via text-based requests.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;ChatGPT can do a lot by itself, but it still needs some help,&rdquo; wrote the researchers. "So, we write a text prompt for ChatGPT which describes the task goal while also explicitly stating which functions from the high-level library are available. The prompt can also contain information about task constraints, or how ChatGPT should form its answers."&nbsp;</p>
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<p>One of the test cases involved ChatGPT writing computer code to control a drone.</p>
<p>&ldquo;ChatGPT asked clarification questions when the user&rsquo;s instructions were ambiguous, and wrote complex code structures for the drone, such flying as a zig-zag pattern to visually inspect shelves,&rdquo; explained the Microsoft team.</p>
<p>They were even able to use ChatGPT to get the drone to fly in front of a mirror and take a selfie with its camera.</p>
<p>However, programmers don't need to pivot to a new career just yet.</p>
<p>As the chatbot can only write code based on the initial text-based request provided by a human, an actual flesh-and-blood engineer must explain to ChatGPT how the application-programming interface works.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch ChapGPT Control Robots and Drones</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 681px; height: 383px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NYd0QcZcS6Q" width="681" height="383" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Another Gig Falls to ChatGPT?

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>22 February 2023</em></span></p>
<p>A little hump-day happy feature&mdash;a reprise of our <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Rockstar Homes</strong></span> feature zooming the abode of Heart and Bad Company guitarist Howard Leese. Footage shot by <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The Droning Company</strong></span> founder <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/what-the-hell-am-i-doing-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Stuart Smith</strong></span></a>.</p>
<p><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XiR6xUphsJQ" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Content Comeback: Heart Guitarist Howard Leese's Home by Drone

<p class="gallery-header__subhead"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>21 February 2023</em></span></p>
<p class="gallery-header__subhead">Oleksandr Shamshur, 41, is one of thousands of volunteer citizen soliders in Ukraine who scan the night skies with thermal cameras, seeking to identify and obliterate Russian drones.</p>
<p class="gallery-header__subhead">But, before the sun goes down, Shamshur has a far less dangerous job. He is a hairdresser.</p>
<p class="gallery-header__subhead"><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/86yRZtvkN7MDgsEbVrjoUVle1eXrJb7C81I9fUR0.png" alt="" width="664" height="241" /></p>
<p class="gallery-header__subhead">Responding to air raid alerts around the Ukrainian capitol of Kyiv, Shamshur and his team shoot down Iranian Shahed-136 drones with a refurbished WWII machine gun. Ironically, it's a Soviet weapon. Shamshur's crew also shares critical strategic and combat data with other rooftop drone defenders.</p>
<p class="gallery-header__subhead">Shamshur&mdash;who never considered escaping when Russian tanks crossed the border of Ukraine last year&mdash;immediately volunteered to defend his country.</p>
<p>&ldquo;But at the same time, I can come to the beauty salon, do the work I know, cut hair, and talk to clients,&rdquo; he says.</p>
<p>Although he works on hair wearing his military khakis, he seldom talks about the war, or his part in the city's drone-defense infrastructure.</p>
<p>"It's too dark," says Shamshur. "This is the peaceful part of my life, and I want it to be light.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>More on the Hair Dressing Drone Defender</strong></span></h5>
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Hair Dresser Drone Hunter

General News

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>13 February 2023</em></span></p>
<p>Continuing to evolve its commitment serve all facets of the drone industry, <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The Droning Company</strong></span> is now offering drone manufacturers and other service providers an opportunity to promote themselves on its website's <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/company-directory" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Company Directory</strong></span>.</a></p>
<p>For only $200 a month, companies can create a dedicated web page on The Droning Company site to share press releases and news items, photographs, blogs and articles, contact information, and up to ten videos. A company page on the world's #1 resource for the droning community is the perfect vehicle to get the word out about your products and services to a targeted group of drone pilots, educators, suppliers, startups, and other drone-industry movers and shakers. The registration process is simple, and there&rsquo;s currently a $400 discount if you sign up for an entire year. As an added bonus,&nbsp;we feature new company profiles in our newsletter.</p>
<p>Please visit the directory pages promoting <span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/company/draganfly-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draganfly</strong></a> </span>and <span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/company/phantomrainorg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Phantom Rain</strong></a></span> to see the Company Directory format firsthand.</p>
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<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Here's How to Sign Up Right Now!</strong></span></h5>
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The Droning Company kicks off Company Directory Feature

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>9 February 2023</em></span></p>
<p>Historically, fighter pilots have been the rock stars of aerial combat&mdash;from American hero Eddie Rickenbacker in WWI to WWII's Luftwaffe aces with hundreds of victories to Tom Cruise's fictional <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em> air warrior.</p>
<p>But the next sequel to Cruise's navy-aviator flicks may be entitled <em>Top Gun: Drone Ace, </em>where Maverick sits in a dark room controlling a consumer tactical drone on a video screen. Cue the bombastic rock-music soundtrack...</p>
<p>While still somewhat of a novelty&mdash;and certainly not as movie-magic dramatic as a jet fighter careening through canyons while evading enemy fire&mdash;drone dogfights are becoming more common.</p>
<p>On October 13, 2022, during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian broadcaster Serhiy Prytula posted a video of a drone-on-drone battle between DJI Mavic drones. The Russian Mavic was "shot down" by the Ukrainian Mavic when it rammed the enemy's rotors. This event has been called the first drone dogfight in history.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch the Dogfight</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fX6QtFZCrrM" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say I am surprised, given how many drones are in the air at any given time and the absolute and immediate need to neutralize the adversary drone once it is identified,&rdquo; related <a href="https://www.cna.org/experts/bendett_s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Samuel Bendett</strong></span></a>&mdash;a Russian defense expert and security advisor&mdash;to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/?sh=77551e9c2254" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Forbes.com</strong></span></a>.&nbsp;&ldquo;However, drone operators using consumer drones for military purposes are not yet taught air ramming techniques due to a shortage of training drones. It's not very effective.&rdquo;</p>
<div class="cnx-ad-container cnx-full-height">That may change. Quickly.</div>
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<div>An entire class of drones designed to take down enemy drones already exists. <a href="https://www.anduril.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Anduril</strong></span></a> debuted an AI-powered interceptor in 2019, and Ukraine developed a "drone fighter" known as "Fowler" late in 2022.</div>
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<p>Consumer drone fighters can be inexpensive and relatively effective anti-drone measures&mdash;especially when compared to missiles that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per action. Not exactly cost conscious to shoot down an off-the-shelf (albeit modified) drone costing a few hundred dollars with a $480,000 Stinger missile.</p>
<p>Drone-on-drone combat has escalated since those first two Mavics squared off.</p>
<p>Will countries continue to invest in training and technology to take air battles away from the cool, steely resolve of fighter aces and jets, and instead place the dogfights into the hands of drone pilots?</p>

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