DOCOMO Develops Blade-free Drone Fitted with High-res Camera and LEDs
TOKYO, Nov 15, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced that it has developed a blade-free, blimp-type drone equipped with a high-resolution video camera that captures high-quality video and full-color LED lights that glow in radiant colors. The drone, which uses helium to stay aloft and is propelled by ultrasonic vibrations, is expected to be used at events, etc. for practical purposes including aerial videography as well as a surrealistic standalone attraction. DOCOMO aims to commercialize the drone within the current fiscal year ending next March.Blade-free drone glowing while aloftUnlike conventional drones that require propellers and sometimes wings, DOCOMO's drone uses helium to remain airborne and is propelled forward/backward and up/down via small modules that produce ultrasonic vibrations to move air. The module makes little noise with its minute vibrations and is safe to touch, so even if the drone were to collide with a person or an object, serious injury or damage would be highly unlikely. As such, the drone is ideal for airborne use at events, commercial facilities and other places where people gather.A prototype was first unveiled in 2019 i...
NEC: Technology Leaders Partner to Conduct Groundbreaking Drone Tests in Japan
TOKYO, Nov 8, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Several leading Japanese technology firms, including BIRD INITIATIVE, Inc. (hereinafter "BIRD INITIATIVE")(1), ANA HOLDINGS INC. (hereinafter "ANAHD")(2), AIN HOLDINGS INC. (hereinafter "AIN HD")(3), and NEC Corporation (hereinafter "NEC"),(4) have partnered with the Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (hereinafter "METI")(5) to conduct a drone operations pilot project in Wakkanai City, Hokkaido prefecture. Tests conducted examined the ability of drones to deliver pharmaceutical supplies to remote areas in accordance with the "Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Supply Delivery using Drones,"(6) and to operate at passenger airports using the decentralized UAS Traffic Management (hereinafter "UTM")(7). UTM enables multiple drone operators to operate drones safely and efficiently within the same airspace. All of the tests were held in accordance with existing Japanese regulations and guidelines for drone use.Conducted operations of the different maturity levelsThese successful pilots were conducted as part of the "Drones and Robots for Ecologically Sustainable Societies project" (hereinafter referred to as the "DRESS Projec...
Unmanned drones to be used for inspections at six reservoirs in Singapore
SINGAPORE - An unmanned drone will soon be a common sight at six reservoirs here, as part of national water agency PUB's efforts to leverage technology for its daily operations. A drone will first be deployed at MacRitchie and Marina reservoirs at the end of this month, with four others to be deployed at Serangoon, Kranji, Lower Seletar and Lower Peirce reservoirs in the third quarter of this year. In a statement on Thursday (May 27), PUB said that the drones are equipped with remote-sensing systems and a camera for near real-time video analytics. These features allow the drones to help observe water quality and also monitor water activities like fishing and paddling. The six reservoirs were chosen based on the agency's operational needs, as well as other factors like the size and accessibility of the reservoirs and the presence of water activities, said a PUB spokesman. For instance, Marina and MacRitchie reservoirs are popular for fishing and water activities, and using a drone there will allow PUB to monitor such activities more effectively, the spokesman added. Currently, PUB officers conduct patrols daily, during which they look out for excessive growth of aquatic plants and a...
CropLife Asia’s ‘Drone for Pesticide Application’ Online Forum draws Asian Policymakers and Global Experts
SINGAPORE, Mar 12, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - A first-of-its-kind virtual conference on drone use for pesticide application in Asia concluded this week after three days of dialogue and discussion among stakeholders from across the food supply chain. The event focused on perspectives ranging from those of regional governments, manufacturers as well as commercial adopters, and experts in the field forecasting future innovations."Our industry takes seriously its commitment to ensure responsible use of plant science technologies and sustainable agricultural practices. Drones are a new tool that can support and strengthen that effort - and have the potential to play a transformative role in Asian agriculture," said Mr. Gustavo Palerosi-Carnerio, CropLife Asia President."As with any innovation, the most critical components are the best practices that reflect responsible use and the policies that underpin them. Through this week's conference, we've heard vital insights from agricultural drone use experts in these areas and what the future may hold. We look forward to continuing these constructive conversations, and working with regulators and other key stakeholders across t...
Inaugural Forum on Pesticide Application Drone use in Asia brings together Regional Policymakers and Global Experts
SINGAPORE, Mar 11, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - A first-of-its-kind virtual conference on drone use for pesticide application in Asia concluded this week after three days of dialogue and discussion among stakeholders from across the food supply chain. The event focused on perspectives ranging from those of regional governments, manufacturers as well as commercial adopters, and experts in the field forecasting future innovations."Our industry takes seriously its commitment to ensure responsible use of plant science technologies and sustainable agricultural practices. Drones are a new tool that can support and strengthen that effort - and have the potential to play a transformative role in Asian agriculture," said Mr. Gustavo Palerosi-Carnerio, CropLife Asia President."As with any innovation, the most critical components are the best practices that reflect responsible use and the policies that underpin them. Through this week's conference, we've heard vital insights from agricultural drone use experts in these areas and what the future may hold. We look forward to continuing these constructive conversations, and working with regulators and other key stakeholders across t...
Youth allegedly operated drone over no-fly zones, including Mindef Gombak Base, Stagmont Camp
SINGAPORE - A youth who allegedly flew a drone over military bases was hauled to court on Thursday (Oct 15). Russell Wong Shin Pin, 20, faces eight charges including four under the Air Navigation Act. Three of the charges are under the Air Navigation Order, involving flying a drone without a proper permit. The eighth charge under the Infrastructure Protection Act involves flying a drone over Gali Batu Depot, which is a protected place. Wong allegedly operated the drone for recreation at a park near Upper Bukit Timah Road and Cashew Road from 6.11pm to 6.43pm on Oct 8 last year, even though he did not have a Class 2 activity permit to do so. During that period, he is said to have flown the unmanned aircraft (UA) over the Ministry of Defence's (Mindef) Gombak Base and used it to snap a picture of the protected area. Wong allegedly went to a carpark near Stagmont Ring off Woodlands Road the next day and flew the drone within 5km of Tengah Airbase aerodrome from 6.49pm to 6.56pm. He is said to have operated the device over Gombak Base and Stagmont Camp within that time. He is also accused of snapping a picture of another protected place, the Gali Batu Depot, that evening using his dron...