4 The business model for autonomous systems isn’t something we write about directly in UST , but it informs what we do write about. For example, Toyota is looking at how unmanned vehicles can be used as mobile shops and offices, while Volvo has its eye on mobile, autonomous bedrooms for travellers on the move. Meanwhile, studies in the US show that about 8000 autonomous vehicles could replace the 13,000 taxis in New York City, reducing congestion and pollution. This is leading to new, Uber-style business models from the major car makers. The same thing is happening in farming, as we discuss on page 50. The Small Robot Company is aiming to deliver ‘farming as a service’ using a combination of small robots to monitor crops, with larger autonomous systems being brought in automatically when necessary. In the marine sector, too, Irish company XOcean is developing a hybrid USV with a data collection service for customers very much in mind. More details about that on page 22. In the aerial realm, Dronamics in Bulgaria (see Platform One) is looking at how airborne autonomous systems can be optimised to carry cargo over long distances cost-effectively. The aim is not necessarily to use an autonomous system, but the technology is used to meet the needs of the business model. All these developments highlight the increasing use of unmanned technologies in many different sectors to solve real problems now and in the future. Nick Flaherty | Technology Editor New business Intro | October/November 2018 Editorial Director Ian Bamsey Assistant Editor Guy Richards Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Contributors Peter Donaldson, Rory Jackson Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Ian Williams-Wynn Dr Donough Wilson Design Andrew Metcalfe
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[email protected] Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com What’s on the radar? Advances in sense-and-avoid systems Signals from space GNSS rises to the accuracy challenge UST 22 :OCT/NOV 2018 UK £15,USA$30,EUROPE e 22 Who wants data? XOcean’s XO-450 hybrid USV collects and delivers Volume Four | Issue Six October/November 2018 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 (0)1934 713957 Fax: +44 (0)20 8497 2102 www.highpowermedia.com ISSN 2056-9823 Printed in Great Britain ©High Power Media All rights reserved. Reproduction (in whole or in part) of any article or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, the publisher can accept no liability for errors or omissions. Nor can responsibility be accepted for the content of any advertisement. US COPIES ONLY Unmanned Systems Technology ISSN No: 2056-9823, is published by High Power Media in England and is distributed in the United States by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. Postmaster please send address changes to: Unmanned Systems Technology, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available from High Power Media at the address above or directly from our website. Overseas copies are sent via air mail. UST SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS 1 year subscription – 15% discount: UK – £75; Europe – e 125 USA – $150; ROW – £97.50 2 year subscription – 25% discount: UK – £135; Europe – e 225 USA – $270; ROW – £175.50 Make cheques payable to High Power Media. Visa, Mastercard, Amex and UK Maestro accepted. Quote card number and expiry date (also issue/start date for Maestro) October/November 2018 | Unmanned Systems Technology