Updates from AUVSI XPONENTIAL This Week: Excitement, New Product Introductions, and XCELLENECE Honorees Announced
Drones and Unmanned Systems Innovations Shine at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2021
The annual AUVSI XPONENTIAL conference, held this year in Atlanta, Georgia, showcased a variety of advancements in drone and unmanned systems technology. Among the notable innovations were AI-powered payloads, comprehensive fleet management solutions, and hydrogen fuel cell prototypes for unmanned systems.
One of the standout developments was the GSG 201 artificial intelligence drone gimbal from UAVOS. This innovative system integrates AI software with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging and laser rangefinding, enabling automated wide-area surveillance, object detection, identification, and tracking in a single lightweight payload. The system offers embedded video processing, electronic stabilization, real-time geolocation with GPS/INS integration, and day/night operational capability through thermal and visible cameras. UAVOS also demonstrated practical applications of their drones for infrastructure inspection, such as completing a railway inspection project covering over 3000 km that improved safety and speed by identifying potential damages via photogrammetry and GIS technologies.
Another significant innovation was the UAS Fleet Management Platform presented by AlarisPro. This software platform creates "Digital Twins" for drones, allowing operators and manufacturers to track reliability and safety metrics at the component level. This data-driven fleet management system improves safety, reduces maintenance costs, and increases operational efficiency across sectors including military, government, and commercial entities.
While details on the XCELLENCE Awards winners for 2021 were not explicitly provided, several companies were recognised for their outstanding contributions. Among the winners were SkyGrid, a Boeing, SparkCognition Company, who took 3rd place in the XCELLENCE in Technology: Software Design & Coding category for its SkyGrid Flight Control. UVL Robotics, Inc. won the 1st place in the XCELLENCE in Operations for Enterprise Solutions Deployment and Service Provider category for its Inventory Drones.
Other winners included Aloft.io, who won the 2nd place in the XCELLENCE in Technology: Software Design & Coding category for its Aloft Air Control, and American Robotics, who won the 2nd place in the XCELLENCE in Innovation category for its American Robotics Scout System: First FAA Approval for Automated Remote Operation.
The XCELLENCE award winners were announced at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL conference, with each winner in the Mission category receiving $5,000 to support their work, unlike the other categories where 1st, 2nd, or 3rd places are awarded.
Other notable developments included Northwest UAV and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory partnering to create a hydrogen fuel cell prototype for unmanned systems, RedTail LiDAR System introducing the RTL-450 LiDAR sensor, and Volansi winning the 3rd place in the XCELLENCE in Operations for Enterprise Solutions Deployment and Service Provider category for its Critical Cold-chain Medical Logistics Drone Delivery in North Carolina.
The AUVSI's 2021 XPONENTIAL conference is a testament to the continued growth and innovation in the drone and unmanned systems industry, with numerous companies showcasing their latest technologies and advancements.
- The GSG 201 artificial intelligence drone gimbal from UAVOS was one of the standout developments at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL conference, offering automated wide-area surveillance, object detection, identification, and tracking in a single lightweight payload.
- The UAS Fleet Management Platform presented by AlarisPro creates Digital Twins for drones, allowing operators and manufacturers to track reliability and safety metrics at the component level, thereby improving safety, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing operational efficiency.
- SkyGrid, a Boeing, SparkCognition Company, was recognized for its SkyGrid Flight Control, taking 3rd place in the XCELLENCE in Technology: Software Design & Coding category.
- UVL Robotics, Inc. was awarded 1st place in the XCELLENCE in Operations for Enterprise Solutions Deployment and Service Provider category for its Inventory Drones.
- Aloft.io won the 2nd place in the XCELLENCE in Technology: Software Design & Coding category for its Aloft Air Control, while American Robotics won the 2nd place in the XCELLENCE in Innovation category for its American Robotics Scout System.
- The FAA announced the first FAA approval for automated remote operation for the American Robotics Scout System, signifying a significant step forward in drone technology regulations within the aerospace industry.
