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Trump Administration Approves 10 New Drone Projects Around the Country (theverge.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Just over six months after President Trump announced the creation of a program meant to spur the development of drone trials around the country, the Department of Transportation has announced the first 10 winners. Among those selected, three state transportation agencies, two US cities, and two universities will work with private companies like FedEx and CNN on trials that will see drones used for tasks like package delivery, journalism, healthcare, and more.
Formally known as the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot, the program encourages U.S. cities and states to partner with companies on drone trials that expand how the aircraft are used around the country. This includes, in some cases, allowing drones to fly over crowds, beyond the pilot's line of sight, and at night -- situations that are usually prohibited unless the person flying obtains an official waiver from the FAA. The goal with the program is to accelerate potential commercial applications for drone use. One of the 10 selections is Florida's Lee County Mosquito Control District. The small government agency will use drones to help control mosquito populations by searching for hard-to-find pockets of larvae at a faster rate than inspectors can on foot, while also reducing the risk of being bitten. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will work on flying drones beyond a pilot's line of sight as part of a partnership with CNN. Furthermore, North Carolina's DOT was selected to test the food drone delivery service, Tennessee's Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority was chosen to test deliveries in partnership with FedEx, and the City of Reno, Nevada was picked to work with Flirtey, a company focused on using drones to deliver medical supplies.
Formally known as the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot, the program encourages U.S. cities and states to partner with companies on drone trials that expand how the aircraft are used around the country. This includes, in some cases, allowing drones to fly over crowds, beyond the pilot's line of sight, and at night -- situations that are usually prohibited unless the person flying obtains an official waiver from the FAA. The goal with the program is to accelerate potential commercial applications for drone use. One of the 10 selections is Florida's Lee County Mosquito Control District. The small government agency will use drones to help control mosquito populations by searching for hard-to-find pockets of larvae at a faster rate than inspectors can on foot, while also reducing the risk of being bitten. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will work on flying drones beyond a pilot's line of sight as part of a partnership with CNN. Furthermore, North Carolina's DOT was selected to test the food drone delivery service, Tennessee's Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority was chosen to test deliveries in partnership with FedEx, and the City of Reno, Nevada was picked to work with Flirtey, a company focused on using drones to deliver medical supplies.
Of course they'll just ignore the first commercial drone delivery service on the planet, Zipline. They've been delivering blood and emergency medical supplies to about 1/3 of rural Rwanda since 2016, and Tanzania since 2017. They're going to expand into the US, if they can get through the permitting process.
http://www.flyzipline.com/
"Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
Normally, it's the private companies that win contracts, and the governments giving them out. Even when it's a federal grant to a city, it's not usually phrased as "winning". In public-private partnerships like this, it would almost always be "FedEx wins [X], and will be doing so in conjunction/cooperation with Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority"
Feels like when Trump instructed his Trump U teachers to say "congratulations" whenever some one signed up for a class, instead of "thanks for your business" or similar.
Your ad here. Ask me how!
I've never seen a coal powered drone with liberal seeking missiles piloted by SpaceForce cadets. It's the only drone project I can see Cheeto Mussolini supporting.
Um, the actual story is that he is supporting the cool stuff.
Don't worry, the cognitive dissonance only burns for awhile ...
4 Months ago - "If Trump doesn't stop provoking NK he is going to start a war. The idiot needs to realize his actions will have consequences"
Today - "NK has always completely ignored everything Trump has said and done and he has no effect whatsoever"
It must actually be painful to be a liberal these days and realize how completely wrong you are on every single issue.
Trump has had absolutely ZERO to do with North Korea wanting to talk.
Really? Because even CNN says South Korea gives Trump the credit for opening talks: "South Korea credits Trump for opening door to talks with North"
my karma will be here long after I'm gone