Read or listen to all of the headlines in one place: excerpts from the DRONELIFE drone news of the week of February 10, 2023.  Click on the titles below for the full story.

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Rebuilding Americas Defense Industry: Utah Gov. Tours Teal Drones HQ

Military technology company Red Cat Holdings has announced that Utah Gov. Spencer Coxtoured the Salt Lake City HQ of its subsidiary, Teal Drones, on January 25th. The visit was organized in order to help educate the governor on the company’s operations and their national impact, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing industries in Utah.

The Hidden Pilot Project on Drone Radio Show Podcast: Helping Marginalized Communities Enter the Industry

On this episode of the Drone Radio Show Podcast, host Randy Goers interviews Segrid Lewis, Founder of The Hidden Pilot Project, dedicated to bringing marginalized communities into the drone industry.

BRINC Teases New Drone for Public Safety and First Responders

On March 2, 2023, BRINC will unveil their next generation solution, and the images look amazing.   BRINC specializes in solutions for first responders, including the LEMUR S and the newest solution, the BRINC Ball.  The LEMUR S is a drone designed for special weapons and tactics (SWAT) operations and emergency response: enabling safer outcomes for both officers and suspects by providing two-way communications and eyes inside a building.

Amsterdam Drone Week 2023 and the EASA High Level Conference on Drones

This year, Amsterdam Drone Week 2023 Hybrid Event and the co-located EASA High Level Conference on Drones will take place March 21 -23.  Register here to be part of Europe’s most important industry event, and a global center for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) community.

Fleet Management Platform AirData in Japanese: Partnerships and Translations for Global Reach

Last week, AirData UAV and Blue innovation Co. announced the formation of a partnership to create a Japanese-language version of AirData’s globally deployed fleet management platform. This new development provides Japanese pilots and fleet operators with a localized and fully translated interface for AirData, alongside features adapted for Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) regulations. This project sets the stage for future translations of the AirData platform.

Advanced Air Mobility Industry Predictions: the DRONEII Report

Drone industry analysts DRONEII have released their Advanced Air Mobility Report, predicting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 20%.  It’s an exciting forecast, as the industry develops rapidly but remains largely at the very beginning stages of certification and regulatory permissions.

Drone Training in Texas: The Texas Drone Workshop, February 18-19

If you are looking for the best value drone training in Texas, it’s here.  Drone professionals at every level have the opportunity to expand their skills, learn from leading industry figures, and network with other businesses during the two day Texas Drone Workshop, sponsored by AUVSI Lone Star.  Register here for a packed program of real world drone education, at the Klein Multipurpose Center in Spring, TX.

Airobotics in Abu Dhabi: Providing Aerial Drone Services Throughout the City

Today, data solution and drone provider Ondas Holdings Inc. announced that its subsidiary Airobotics and UAE-based company SkyGo have signed a Term Sheet for Joint Venture to provide aerial drone services to the city of Abu Dhabi. Airobotics has received an initial multi-system purchase order for $3.5 million from SkyGo. The purchase order is conditioned by the completion of proof of concept.   The SkyGo Joint Venture will see Airobotics and SkyGo deploy Optimus Systems at Industrial and Municipal sites, utilizing the autonomous drone platform for a range of use cases. The two companies expect to deploy over 20 systems across Abu Dhabi over the next few years.

DroneBase New Name, New Funding: Raises $55 Million, Rebrands as Zeitview

After securing $55 million in investment, advanced inspection software company DroneBase has rebranded as Zeitview.   The round was led by Valor Equity Partners, with participation from existing investors Union Square Ventures, Upfront Ventures, Euclidean Capital, Energy Transition Ventures, and Hearst Ventures. This newly raised funding will support the company’s AI-enabled software and global footprint in advanced inspection solutions. Last year’s rapid growth within the renewable sector saw the launch of the North American Solar Scan (NASS), the first standardized set of solar asset ratings providing improved oversight of U.S. solar power plants. Zeitview conducted inspections of 43 GW of solar capacity last year.

Garuda Aerospace Drones Deployed in Turkey for Search and Rescue, Relief Efforts

In order to assist with ongoing relief and rescue efforts in Turkey, NDRF has requested Garuda Aerospace to provide their DGCA approved drones for disaster management operations. Garuda Aerospace will deploy its Droni Drone to conduct surveillance missions in the most heavily impacted areas to locate victims. A modified  version of the Kisan Drone will transport payloads of emergency medicines, supplies and food for victims.  “Garuda Aerospace has always stepped up during crises and has created massive impact by deploying drones for various emergency situations,” said Garuda Aerospace Founder and CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash.

Senators Introduce Proposal to Simplify Approvals Process for BVLOS Drone Flights: Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced today the Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023, legislation that will simplify the approvals process for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights and enable the use of drones for commercial transport of goods across the country.   At present, each aircraft and BVLOS operation requires a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), yet the FAA lacks a consistent set of criteria for the granting of waivers. The bipartisan Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act will require the FAA to set forth a rule authorizing BVLOS operations under certain circumstances.