May 2017 · No 20 · Price £5.99
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buyer’s guide • reviews • pro tips + more…
take one
the film made with a
single drone shot
the shape of things to come
how PowerVision is breaking the boundaries of drone design
thermal
imaging
a guide to Playing
it cool this summer
speCs AppeAL
we cast an eye oVer the
moverio
TRAMP HV
why one small transmitter can make a big difference
INTERNATIONAL DRONE DAY
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SEE THE LIGHT
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Our Pilots
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Photo by Csaba Daróczi / www.daroczicsaba.hu Supplied by Dronestagram
contributors
AdAm
Juniper
Andrew spends his time monitoring the globe for drone news stories, testing to death the things people send him (mostly drones), and hoping his cats won’t moult all over his quadcopters. He's a graduate of the Freedonia Flying Academy and has never failed to walk away from a UAV landing. You can follow him on Twitter at @raggedydrones
Andrew
wAtton-dAvies
GemmA
Cox
Lee
sChofieLd
mArk
BAker
mAtthew
dutton
Fergus has worked in professional stills and video for over 15 years. He started flying drones three years ago and after qualifying for commercial work he set up Skylark Aerial Imaging. He has shot extensively for TV, and commercial and scientific work, with clients including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Canon, Worldwide Fund for Nature, Toyota and Nissan.
ferGus
kennedY
Hooked from the moment he sawthe AR.Drone at CES, Adam has spent the years since building, crashing, sinking, losing and occasionally flying drones. With a background in photography publishing and over a decade writing about video and still photography in his rear-view mirror, he was the only choice for Ilex’s recent book The Drone Pilot's Handbook (on sale now!).
Our launch editor for DRONE, Gemma has worked at the helm of NEO magazine for over ten years. Spending over a decade immersed in Asian pop culture, she recently branched out into the world of technology to take on UAVs. She’s most excited about the future of FPV racing and the prospect of drone deliveries! Can drone racing go prime time? She certainly hopes so! Follow NEO at @NEO_Magazine.
Mark is a commercial drone pilot based in the New Forest. In 2014, he founded Naughty Cat Media and specialises in providing low level aerial video and photography using drones. Most of his work is carried out with lightweight and affordable systems like the DJI Phantom series. Check out some of his shots and get in touch at his website, located at www.naughtycatmedia.co.uk.
Matt is an avid 3D heli pilot and drone operator who has been busy setting up his own media production company. Flying from an early age, Matt has a passion for all things RC, particularly the aerial kind. He has a taste for filming and is always honing his skills. He uses a Phantom 4, Inspire 1 and an Osmo to aid his work, and spends most of his time trying to capture the perfect shot!
Known online as Painless360, Lee has a YouTube channel and business dedicated to making RC technology easier to use. An RC pilot for over eight years and with a 30-year background in electronics he became hooked on quads when he was bought one in as a present. The rest, as they say, is history! By now he can probably strip a quadcopter and rebuild it blindfolded.
Michael gained his experience with drones through the US Army, flying the Shadow 200 system. After the Army he flew drones in Alaska before founding his own company, M2 Flight Solutions. As well as working with emergency services, he was also the first person to fly an AV Puma system 300 miles from the true North Pole – the furthest a UAV system has flown from a coastguard ship.
miChAeL
Cook
Uncooked Media Ltd, PO Box 6337, Bournemouth, BH1 9EH Telephone: 01202 586035 www.uncookedmedia.com
Editor: Ian Collen [email protected] Managing Editor: Gemma Cox
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DRONE is published every four weeks by Uncooked Media Ltd. All text and layout remains the copyright of Uncooked Media Ltd. DRONE is a fully independent publication and its views are not those of any company mentioned herein. All characters and artwork shown in this magazine remain the © and trademark or their
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WELCOME
TO IssUE 20 Of DRONE MAGAZINE!
I
t’s pretty obvious to most people involved that the drone industry is moving incredibly fast. Not only in terms of the rising number of people using them or the ever-increasing variety of practical, professional and commercial ways they’re making lives easier (and safer) – but also the technology itself. What seemed aspirational barely a year ago has quickly become the norm and equally rapidly will begin to seem old hat in comparison to the new stuff filtering through all the time.My attention was drawn to one such example in these past few weeks, as I spoke to film director Paul Trillo about his new short film (more on that on page 38). The film itself was only recently released, but filming actually took place in the middle of 2016. If you travel back a year we’re talking about the Inspire 1 being DJI’s flagship filmmaking companion – with the M600 a brand new, but somewhat expensive, temptation and the Inspire 2 still little more than a softly whispered rumour.
Back then most of us would have loved almost everything about the Inspire but it’s interesting to hear Paul talking about things like the lack of stability that is now increasingly commonplace, plus problems with batteries and reliability when he upgraded to a larger octocopter – problems that could have been easily resolved had this year’s tech been available.
It’s hardly surprising that each new advancement makes the older kit seem outdated and less appealing, but it still amazes me that what was cutting edge 10 months ago is now barely acceptable on a commercial level. I guess it goes to show that pretty much everyone we’ve featured in the magazine who has told us about their plans to push the technology further, and make drones an even better tool for professional use on a daily basis, have certainly been true to their word.
Enjoy the issue! IAN COLLEN, EDITOR
facebook.com/DRONEMagUK twitter.com/DRONEMagUK instagram.com/DRONEMagUK
may 2017 • Issue 20
www.dronemagazIne.uk
24
We take an aerial view
of the UK’s recent
Photography Show 2017
14
12
contents
12
// ABOVE AND BEYOND
We hear from the Israeli company granted approval to run fully automated beyond-line-of-sight aerial operations.
14
// BEBOP 3D
You can now pick up Parrot’s Bebop 2 with a Modeling pack designed for use in real estate and by building professionals.
16
// IDENTITY PARADE
Get all on the details on DJI’s recent proposals for an identification system for drone owners designed to keep everyone happy.
24
// THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW
Once a place for more traditional snappers, this year’s event had a strong line-up of aerial camera-carriers.
26
// INTERNATIONAL DRONE DAY
It’s that time of year again, as UAV owners around the world gather to celebrate the fact that ‘drones are good’.
30
// POWER RANGERS
Easter may be over but there’s one big Egg we’re still interested in, plus the rest of PowerVision’s novel drone designs.
17
// HAVE YOUR SAY
Another UK governmental department is looking for further input on drone use. Find out how you can get involved.
20
// AIR MAIL
We hear from Airbus Helicopters as it lays down some ambitious plans to create its own drone delivery system.
22
// CLASH OF THE TITANS
It’s like Robot Wars meets Laser Quest in a Tron universe. Time to arm up for the first Drone Clash showdown!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY FOR ONLY £14.99!
TURN TO PAGE 88
36
// COMPETITION
We’ve got TEN copies of the excellent companion book The Photographer’s Guide to Drones ready to give away!
38
// ONE SHOT HERO
Find out how director Paul Trillo was able to wow film fans with a short made from just one single, continuous drone shot.
46
// THERMAL IMAGING
Get some professional advice on how you might be able to make the most of thermography in a commercial environment.
68
// ON THE MOVE
Our reviewer casts an eye over Epson’s Moverio BT-300 glasses, which offer an augmented reality view of your in-flight data.
72
// LOST AND FOUND
We also get to test out the latest in Trackimo’s GPS technology to ensure we never lose track of our drone again.
80
// THE LIGHTER SIDE
Our photography expert turns his focus to the balancing act of exposure so you’re no longer left in the dark.
52
// A CLOSER LOOK
Lee Schofield checks out the latest FPV goggles from Aomway to see how they compare to the ‘big fish’ in the market.
58
// BITS AND PIECES
From 3D printing to personal preferences, we break down a custom quadcopter build into a few key choices.
62
// TRAMP HV
ImmersionRC’s latest transmitter has a lot of good things going for it. We hook one up, along with a Race Wand, to see what it can do.
46
68
58
Thinking of working on
your own custom build?
Here’s some top tips
62
38
12
A bumper news section
bringing you the biggest
stories from Around world
38
we speak to the director
behind an ambitious
film made with a single
continuous drone shot
T
he Israel-based company Airobotics has announced that it has become the “first certified company in the world to fly fully-automated, commercial drones without a pilot.” This has enabled its pilots to operate ‘Beyond Visual Line of Sight’ (BVLOS) flights of its Optimus drones – craft that are capable of launching from its Airbase ground stations to execute 30-minute flights with one kilogram “mission specific payloads”.Founded in 2014 by CEO Ran Krauss and vice president of research and development Meir Kliner, Airobotics received the
certification from the Civil Aviation Authority Israel (CAAI) following a 24-month process that included over 10,000 flight hours and the production of “dozens of technical manuals, engineering books, reports and analysis.”
The certification trials started back in March 2015, with a ‘Minimum Viable Product’ version being tested in 2016. The process required proving that the system could maintain strict safety standards, follow security procedures, enact emergency response and maintain system reliability at all times. This included testing based on the robustness and endurance of its craft, and operating the drones within various environmental conditions.
The system is now in operation at Israel Chemicals and Intel sites in Airobotics’ home country, and the company is planning on adding further markets to its operations, having also gained a commercial license from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority for work with the mining company South32,
along with a Part 107 waiver from the FAA. Efrat Fenigson, vice president of marketing for Airobotics, has confirmed that the company is discussing “this new type of ‘automated BVLOS’ certificate with these aviation authorities and others”.
Stepping Stones
Efrat also shared with us the company’s thoughts on how this step-in certification will impact upon the progress of drone development as a whole. “We [at Airobotics] see drones fusing into our lives in three steps. The first step, which we are already in, is deploying our systems in safer, unpopulated environments, such as mines, refineries, sea ports, and fabrication facilities. In these environments we can perform different Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
missions such as security, inspection mapping and surveying. The drone is proving itself as an invaluable tool, utilising the third dimension to gather and analyse aerial data. We are flying our system 24/7 to make sure it is safe, reliable and can get the job done.
“The second step, which is 2-5 years from now, we think – and only after accumulating hundreds of thousands of flight hours with increasing reliability and safety – would be to use these systems in cities. Applications would mainly be around emergency response where the risk-reward ratio is very low. Imagine a 911 situation; someone has a heart attack somewhere in the city and a defibrillator can save his life. You can send this defibrillator to him within three minutes.
“The third step of this vision is full, commercial, everyday use. We forecast this to happen somewhere in the next 5-10 years. Technologically we can do this much faster.” The path to this is expected to be a hard one, though, with Efrat telling us that “we believe that regulatory bodies will take a long time to approve this scenario.”
However, Airobotics believes that there are ways to reduce the risks that extensive automated drone use will bring, including pre-designated aerial highways – or “what we call skyways over buildings and populated areas.” These ‘skyways’ would cater for flying at low altitudes and the company says it would involve equipping drones with low-altitude parachutes “in case of serious malfunctions, reducing the energy on impact”, the use of failsafe mainframe software to route drones and “handle communication with commercial and recreational aerial traffic”, and extensive use of multiple base stations.
The Great Beyond
In the short-term Airobotics doesn’t expect the news to provide an immediate boost to its home country’s drone development scene, with other manufacturers unlikely to move to the area as a result of this world first approval process, as “the certification is local to Israel only, and Israel as a target market is a small one,” Efren explains.
The benefits, and the longer-term company view, is more about outward thinking and building upon these foundations, as it “will now continue to leverage on this approval in
order to develop similar types of approvals in other countries.”
Even so, the achievement, and the advantage it gives the company, is clearly huge: “Airobotics is unique in the Israeli drone space,” Efrat observed. “No other company today can be granted with this type of certificate, as their technology needs to catch up. The same goes for the world. We are not aware of any other companies that would be able to be given this kind of certificate.”
More information on the system can be found at airobotics.co.il.
F
rench drone manufacturer Parrot has announced the launch of the Bebop-Pro 3D Modeling pack. It unveiled the new “all-in-one aerial imagery and 3D modelling solution for real-estate and building professionals” at the MIPIM property development and management exhibition in Cannes. The package, available from May and priced at £999 (excluding VAT), will contain Parrot’s Bebop 2 drone and Skycontroller 2, three LiPo batteries, a backpack and use of the Pix4Dcapture flight planning app, as well as a one year licence for the Pix4Dmodel image processing software.The bundle will be replacing the Parrot Bebop 2 Real Estate Edition that was launched late last year as the company’s offering to the construction and real estate industry, with a spokesperson for Parrot telling us that it will offer a “much more complete solution,” as well as another facet to its Bebop 2 drone that has had no hardware updates since its release at the start of 2016.
The spokesperson also stated that the Bebop-Pro 3D Modeling came about as Parrot had “listened to a lot of professionals in the construction and real estate spaces to understand the way they were working, what their daily routine was and how they were approaching their relationship with their clients.” They also added that “we have identified some key points in their professional activity where the Parrot Bebop 2, associated with a complete solution, would allow them to save time, perform better and generate more business.”
Parrot has been involved with professional civil drone use since 2012 and this offering will “target all real estate and construction professionals – architects, small architecture firms, small construction businesses and building craftsmen, real estate agencies – as well as insurance.”
The pack would also suit “construction contractors looking for an easy to use, economical and time saving solution to create photorealistic 3D models or to get accurate measures such as height, length and surface to precisely build quotations or estimate the scope of work for clients,” along with “architects or real estate agents looking for innovative commercial or marketing tools.”
Given the amount of automation the bundle offers and the laws in place that restrict the commercial use of drones, it does raise the question as to whether the package has been aimed at more general users beyond just the qualified drone operators. Parrot told us that
as regulations “differ from country to country we recommend professionals to get country-specific information before flying and to always check local regulations.”
To clarify the UK position on situations where an operator is not being directly paid for the gathering of the images themselves, we contacted Richard Taylor at the CAA. “This can be a grey area,” he explained.
“The estate agent is not benefitting financially from the drone flight itself so why should they need a PfCO? Our view is that the estate agent has a clear intention of using the images or footage for financial gain. Even though the images are not being sold they are clearly part of a potential financial transaction – the sale of the property.”
Further details on the existing regulations can be found at droneregulations.info – an initiative which Parrot is a contributor to.
Further details on the Bebop-Pro 3D Modeling package can be found at parrot.com.
PARROt lAuNchEs 3D EquIPPED BEBOP 2 PAck
Model AircrAft
Words by AndreW WAtton-dAviesSee WWW.LCEGROUP.CO.UK for accessories & more
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D
JI has released a white paper to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International entitled “A Call for a Balanced Remote Identification Approach.” The paper proposes an electronic identification framework for small drones that would “allow authorities in the United States to identify drone owners when necessary while also respecting their privacy.”The 10-page document outlines a
methodology by which a drone could transmit its location along with an identification code, “using inexpensive radio equipment that is already on board many drones today and that could be adopted by all manufacturers.” This could be issued, and identifiable, by a national authority and would use radio frequencies in the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands to transmit to local receivers using existing antennae and modified C2 or video link protocols on one or more open standards.
The concept seeks to maintain the privacy of drone craft users, due to both potential conflicts with established privacy law and because of commercial considerations should operators be identified. The examples given in the white paper include “an alternative energy company scouting out a prospective new wind farm location”, “a drone company developing and testing the latest forthcoming product”
and “a journalist engaged in investigative journalism”. It also points out that neither motor vehicles nor all manned aircraft are “subject to constant surveillance and tracking.”
The white paper has been written in response to United States Congress’ direction to the Federal Aviation Administration, under Section 2202 of the 2016 FAA Extension Act, to develop means of remotely identifying the operators and owners of unmanned aircraft, with similar regulatory proposals happening in Europe.
Whilst specifics on the devices used to receive the transmissions are not definable at this time, Brendan Schulman, vice president of policy and legal affairs, confirmed to us that, as the proposal involves using existing radio control frequencies, “the eventual cost of the receiver would be similar to that of high-quality drone remote controllers with a screen. It would be operated in a simple way; a map would be displayed of the surrounding area with a depiction of the nearby drones plus identification information, such as a registration number.”
Regarding concerns about the potential duplication of IDs, Brendan stated: “This is a technical implementation question for the future that is not intended to be addressed in our paper. There are various ways to
secure identification information that could be considered. The regulations could make copying a number a crime, just like it is a crime to steal someone else’s car license plate.”
As for DIY flyers putting a transmitter in their craft: “One of the considerations in any actual implementation would be which drones to exclude from identification requirements and what exceptions to make. Those exemptions could be based on weight, operational capabilities or other things. These are questions the industry needs to discuss and ultimately the regulators need to determine.
“The industry supports accountability and smart solutions to policy concerns, and we all share an interest in safety. We have a track record of working together on issues like drone registration and flight over people rules, and I hope we will see the same collaboration on remote identification as well.”
The paper also claimed that “the typical drone operator purchases a new model within approximately one year,” with Brendan telling us that this was “based on a casual observation of the market, not formal market studies. We release a new version of our most popular drones about once a year. Both consumers and professionals seem to have a strong desire to upgrade to our latest and greatest technology.”
Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
T
he Transport Select Committee, whose role within the House of Commons is to monitor the policies and administration of the Department of Transport (DfT), has opened an inquiry into drone use in the UK, with the aim to “consider how the benefits of drone technology can be maximised within a robust safety framework.”At the launch of the inquiry, Louise Ellman MP, chair of the Transport Committee, said: “Civilian drones have the potential to fundamentally change how many industries – including the transport sector – work. This inquiry will consider the implications of this technology. We will also be asking whether enough is being done to ensure drone technology can reach its potential without compromising the safety of other aircraft and the public in general.”
The committee is asking for written submissions to be received by Friday 26 May, on topics including the safety and security risks posed by drones, particularly to manned aircraft, the current enforcement arrangements for the misuse of drones in the UK, as well as insurance issues and actions needed to create a viable market for drone insurance. The committee has also asked
for evidence on the effects of the Vehicle Technology and Aviation bill on the dangers posed by the use of laser pens to distract the pilots of aircraft.
This inquiry follows the DfT’s “Benefits of Drones to the UK Economy” public consultation, which finished gathering evidence on the 15 March. Simon Horswell, communications officer for the committee, has advised us that “the committee will be relying on the written and oral evidence that it collects rather than the information gathered in the DfT consultation. However, the committee is likely to look at the results of the DfT consultation as part of its inquiry.”
As to how it fits in with the progress of the proposed Modern Transport Bill and the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill 2017, Simon told us that “the committee’s inquiry is separate to the legislative process. However, the committee may inquire into aspects of proposed legislation where relevant to its terms of reference.”
With regards the inclusion of questions about laser pens in an enquiry about drones, it appears to be a matter of practicality and timing, rather than a concern about drone users flying with laser pens attached or a
conflation of the two issues. As Simon puts it: “One of the themes that the committee is likely to be considering in this inquiry is the implications of drones for aircraft safety. Since the use of laser pens may also have implications for aircraft safety, the committee has decided to also inquire into this point.”
It has not been confirmed if, or when, a final report from the inquiry will be published. However, it is normal practice for the committee to have written submissions that have been accepted as evidence published on its website. The Transport Select Committee is also intending to take oral evidence in public, although a timeframe for this was not available at time of going to press.
With regards to who should participate, Simon explained that “the committee would very much welcome the participation of readers of Drone Magazine in its inquiry. Those intending to submit written evidence are encouraged to read our online guidance and ensure that their evidence addresses at least one of the points in our terms of reference.”
Full details on the inquiry and how you can submit your own views on the matter, can be found on the parliament.uk website (under the Commons Select > Transport committee links). Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
Under InqUIry
UK government seeKs fUrther
information on drone Use
A
mazon Prime Air has added another first to its growing list of accomplishments, with a demonstration of its drone delivery system at the invite-only MARS conference (a tenuous acronym from ‘Machine Learning, Home Automation, Robotics and Space Exploration) at the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs, California.The demonstration took place within restricted airspace near the Palm Springs International Airport and was the first such delivery by its system in a public setting and on home soil for the company, with all previous flights, including its first UK delivery in Cambridgeshire last year, having been on private property.
Details of the flight and of the system used remain minimal at this time, with Amazon being silent as always on the project, but it was confirmed by attendee Corbett Moran that the pre-arranged delivery was of a bottle of sunscreen. It is also appears from the footage that a targeting mat is still being used for guidance in the landing part of the flight. Talking to The Verge, Amazon Prime Air vice president Gur Kimchi confirmed that the delivery was performed “with the assistance of the FAA” and that the demonstration has brought Prime Air “one step closer to making 30-minute package delivery by drone a reality”.
Also exhibited at the event was the Method-2, a 13-foot tall walking robot produced by Hankook Mirae Technology and piloted by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Whilst not strictly drone-related, it is a real life mech, which is pretty awesome.
Words by: Andrew wAtton-dAvies
Home Delivery
AmAzon mAkes drop-off in the UsA
T
he FAA has confirmed that more than 770,000 drones have been registered in the 15 months since it became mandatory for all UAVs weighing over 250 grams, with over 100,000 craft having been added to the roster since the previous figures were announced in January.As part of a speech at the second annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems Symposium in Virginia, FAA administrator Michael Huerta
also observed that, due to the rapid expansion in drone use within the USA, “we’re ushering in a new age of American aviation: the unmanned aircraft era. And it’s moving at a quicker pace than anything we’ve seen before.”
Although the speech focused on the safety and security issues, another hot topic was the cost to the FAA of regulating drone use, which will also increase with the rise in drone usage. In an earlier announcement the FAA asked
the Drone Advisory Committee to “provide recommendation for options on how to fund the activities and services required both by government and industry to safely integrate UAS operation into the National Airspace System over the new and longer terms.”
The document also states: “The FAA faces challenges of budget instability, budget inadequacies and lack of management flexibility” and warns that “without additional funds, the FAA will not be able to keep pace with the dramatic growth in public, industry and business demands for UAS operations.”
The schedule states that recommendations should be put forward by 30 June, with a report to be submitted by March 2018.
fAA needs more fUnds to mAnAge drone rise
P
roposals for new bylaws to set up drone “exclusion zones” in the Rhuddlan and Rhyl areas of Denbighshire in Wales, as originally reported by us back in Issue 16, have been called off following a report presented to the Communities Scrutiny Committee. In the report, Gary William, head of legal, HR, and democratic services, stated that “merely passing a resolution banning drones would have no legal effect,” adding that “there is a risk that any bylaw created in respect of this issue is, to all intents and purposes, practically unenforceable.”The report mentioned that there were elements of the 2016 Civil Aviation Act which put strict controls over drone users already and that whilst “it does not seem possible to further govern drones in flight, it may be possible to regulate the take-off or landing of drones from council-owned property.”
A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson has confirmed that the committee agreed that introducing a ban would be unenforceable and that national legislation already in place to regulate the use of drones was adequate – noting that it would be keeping a “watching brief” on the ongoing government consultations on drone legislation.
Arwel Roberts (left), the original proposer of the bylaws, told us that “the policing of the skies is problematic and county councils have no workforce to do such work. Our police are possibly the only force who could control the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft. We have licensed drone users who use them to help residents and businesses, plus county councils. The Department of Transport should protect these users and inform the public of the rules and bylaws with Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
Ban Grounded
Drone bylaws blockeD in wales
T
he state of Utah has passed a law that makes it an offence to harass livestock with an unmanned aircraft system. House Bill 217, signed into effect by Governor Gary Herbart on 21 March, explicitly designates the use of drones to “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chase, with the intent of causing distress or harm livestock” as a Class A misdemeanour in the state. The means those doing so face a maximum of a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500 dollars.We spoke to Representative Scott H. Chew, the sponsor for the bill which is the first of its kind in the USA, who confirmed that the legislation is “more of a preventive measure” than a response to an outbreak of drone-based cattle bothering. However, he did note that “there have been some incidents of misuse of UAS harassing livestock, mostly in populated areas where people have been able to observe the misuse.”
Scott explained that law gave authorities a channel to stop irresponsible behaviour, rather than being a means to detect it, while the bill can help with wider issues relative to drone misuse, stating: “The use of these flying machines require open spaces and many open areas are not only occupied with livestock but also private property, so trespass has also been an issue.”
He also told us that “some of the drive behind the bill was created because last summer our Governor had to call a special session to address the misuse of drones near wildfires, because our state experienced a $10,000,000 expense.”
No Bull
Utah claMps Down on
A
irbus Helicopters, the France-based helicopter division of the global Airbus Group, has announced that it is to begin trials of its Skyways project – an autonomous drone parcel delivery service – in “mid-2017” at the campus of the National University of Singapore. The project has been made possible by a “memorandum of understanding” being signed by Airbus Helicopters’ executive vice president of engineering Sean Brice-Dumon and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s director general Kevin Shum earlier this year.The project is based on the Skyways octocopter and hinges on the drones being flown through “aerial corridors”, or set paths, to pre-designated drop-off “landing pads” that are picked to ensure the maximum safety of the craft and those beneath it. The project will also be building on an operation management system originally produced by its colleagues in Airbus Defence and Space.
According to project leader Bruno Trabel, “the goal of the project is to assess the efficiency and economic effectiveness of such a transport system and provide tangible proof to authorities and the general public that commercial drones can indeed operate safely over urban areas… Singapore is the right place for Airbus Helicopters to start such innovative operations.”
Speaking for Airbus Helicopters, Gloria Illas explained to us the reason for choosing the location for the project. “It’s a challenging urban and populated environment; its weather conditions and demanding regulations show how necessary it is to address this type of activity with the ultimate sense of safety and security which is in Airbus Helicopters’ DNA. A second important point is the mindedness of
Singaporean authorities, permanently tuned to innovation and already one of the logistics world leaders.”
This sentiment echoes that of the Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, who at the Business Times Leaders Forum in March stated that: “In 2030 you can bet your money that aerial transport will also be a means of urban mobility.”
The project could be seen as a competitor to those already undertaken by companies with greater direct experience in logistics. However, Airbus has made it clear that it is looking to produce and sell a technology, rather than getting into the delivery business itself. A press
statement on the project reads: “We’ve no intention of competing with the Amazons and DHLs of this world. On the contrary, we see these companies as potential customers.”
When asked further on the issue Gloria Illas added: “Up to now, despite some communications presenting interesting initiatives and successful trials, no massive and safe deployment of disruptive logistics has been made visible anywhere in the world. This is why we, at Airbus Helicopters, think that we still have a role to play in this structuring business. Should our systems be safer, more reliable and cost-efficient, they would be adopted by the big ones.”
Airbus has a similar ‘down to earth’ approach towards the partialities of the technology, hence the decision to focus on set paths rather than ad-hoc routes. As Gloria explained, “drones are flying objects and must be considered as such. As you probably know, airplanes have been flying for decades along air routes and approach paths, studied to reduce the minimum level of risk of collision, accidents, and protecting the people on board and on the ground in all types of circumstances.
“Movies today show drones flying in swarms and avoiding the others by a few centimetres. Movies are exciting but they neither reflect the reality, nor put safety as a number one priority, such is Airbus Helicopters’ approach.”
Further details on the Skyways project, and other drone projects, can be found at the main website airbusgroup.com.
Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
T
ransport Canada has issued a new set of rules for the use of recreational drones with a launch weight between 250g and 35kg. The rules, which came into effect on 13 March, carry restrictions for UAV operators that include not being allowed to fly higher than 90 metres from ground level or further than 500 metres from the operator; within 75 metres of buildings, people, animals, or vehicles; or within 9 kilometres of airports or any location that aircraft take off and land from.Other no-go areas listed in the new guide include controlled airspace, “where you could interfere with police or first responders” and at night or in clouds. In addition, all drones must have the operator’s name, address and telephone number clearly marked on them. Failure to comply with these rules carries a maximum fine of $3,000 (around £1,800).
The announcement, which Brendan Schulman at DJI has said was released with “no consultation with any relevant stakeholders”, was made by Transportation Minister Marc Garneau who stated that he is “taking strong measures now, before a drone hits an airplane and causes a catastrophic event”. The rules have been confirmed as an interim measure, until a full set of new regulations are released in June.
The news rules have been well received in some quarters, with the Ottawa International Airport Authority saying it “applauds the announcement… concerning increased safety measures related to recreational drone activity.” Rob Eagles, the International Air Transport Association Director of Air Traffic Management and Infrastructure said “The introduction of this temporary order will help protect airspace
Rob also added: “Looking ahead, advanced technology will provide new ways to appropriately regulate recreational, commercial and State UAV operations. Transport Canada plays a critical role in helping to develop these standards and regulations.”
However, many recreational uses took to social media identifying large areas of the country where flights have now been made impossible. We spoke to Tom Comet, operations
manager for the aerial cinematography company Droneboy, who was of the opinion that “this is going to cause problems for the recreational user. We’re based in southern Ontario and now there’s almost nowhere that a recreational user can fly in this area if you follow the letter of the law.”
Tom did acknowledge the potential dangers of misuse, saying “there is the odd yahoo, flying in the wrong place and at the wrong height, but that’s going to continue regardless as those people aren’t going to follow the rules. It might make people a bit more fearful to go to the store and pick up a drone, but probably not just because the rules are in the news right now and then they’ll go away.”
He also voiced the concern that Transport Canada “can’t police it; the rules they already had in place were already being blatantly broken and there is nothing happening about it.” Tom was also worried about the impact on the commercial industry: “It’s going to affect our talent pool. In the past people have come to me and shown me the video they’ve taken, and that’s how I determine who in an interview I can bring in, but now that’ll go away.”
For more information and a full list of the new Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
H
ave you ever dreamt of mixing Robot Wars with anti-drone technology and FPV racing? Well, dream no more, with the announcement of the first Drone Clash event taking place on 04 December at a former naval base in Valkenburg, the Netherlands.The competition is open to 30 teams, with 4 teams participating in each round as they try to capture the enemy’s “Queen drone” whilst defending their own from drone fighters, plus an assortment of anti-drone tech in “The Hallway of Doom, Death and Destruction”.
Participants score points for hitting and grounding rivals, with the maximum points going for snatching a rival drone out of the air and delivering it safely to a designated location. Each team has one FPV race band frequency to play with and must bring one Queen and one Fighter drone. Other than that, plus a restriction on electromagnetic interference, jamming technology, and demolishing parts of the arena, the rules are pretty light, as the organisers are focusing on innovation and blue-sky thinking as well as the rampant destruction of UAVs.
Bart Remes, Project Manager from Delft University of Technology, told us that the goal of the event is “to inspire people to think out of the box in a creative way; to find a solution
to taking drones out of the air in a safe way. The main reason we’re doing this is because we believe that if you want to integrate drones into the air space you have to make sure that you can also prevent drones from being everywhere, and if you can do it in a good way, you can make sure that drones will be integrated into our daily lives.”
Creativity and carnage is pretty much assured. As Bart puts it, “there probably will be destruction during the event” and the rules have been left deliberately light to avoid cramping anyone’s ideas. “If teams want to participate they’ll have to make a safety case. We don’t have flight rules, but to make sure that it’s safe for the public to come in and watch, we need to make a safety case of their system. If they are safe enough, they can join the competition.”
Alongside the contest, there will also be a Clash Expo. Organised by Robo Business Media, Bart describes it as a place “where companies can present their existing anti-drone systems to the public” as well as a place where they can network with drone manufacturers, as “ideally these companies can team up with the creative minds who join the competition, and hopefully new products will come out in the future.” The anti-drone manufacturers will also get to join in the fun, as the aforementioned Hallway of Doom, Death and Destruction will be loaded up with their finest toys.
If you need any added guarantees of safety, then the event is being sponsored by the Dutch National Police Corps. “The police are looking for anti-drone solutions, but there is not a plug and play solution right now,” Bart explains. “The Dutch police are experimenting with eagles, but they are looking for a robotic replacement and that’s why they are involved and looking for a better solution.”
Entry to the event is open to “companies, universities, hobbyists, everybody” but there is a €150 deposit per team and all participants must be registered by 07 May. If you’re interested in entering or want to find out more, full details can be found at droneclash.nl.
Words by AndreW WAtton-dAvies
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D
rones can buzz around your living room; they can race, or perform freestyle flips; they’re threatening to deliver pizzas and parcels to your doorstep. Mostly, though, in the current civilian space they’re used for imaging in the form of photography and video. So it should come as no surprise that they were highly visible at The Photography Show 2017.The show, the industry’s largest annual event in Europe, occupied the NEC’s cavernous Hall 5 in Birmingham for four full days over 18-21 March. The biggest stands were, of course, taken by the leading camera manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon and Sony. Interestingly, though, in a world replete with gear, drones were not far behind.
As you entered into the hall the massive safety net around the PowerVision stand was one of the very first, and biggest, things vying for your attention. Although the firm has much to shout about (more on that a little later in this issue) the most spectacular part of its display, simply for the uniqueness of its industrial design, is the PowerEgg.
The PowerEgg is an eye-catching model, but then it has to be if it wants to compete in the consumer category that includes one of the world’s most iconic products, the DJI Phantom. It was not the company’s only offering at the show though; the PowerEye was also
very much in evidence. This mighty-looking aircraft, with its interchangeable lens camera, is a clear swipe at the DJI Inspire and was drawing the eyes of passing photographers.
If you’re not a photographer (and somehow avoided all the hype surrounding the DJI Inspire launch) you might not realise that a key feature photographers look for on higher-end cameras is the ability to change the lens, so the optics are suited for the situation. Certainly the reaction had been very positive, with show visitors I spoke to very excited to see the Eye. It might even have left more of an impression than the Egg despite being a little less unconventional.
Further into the hall, Yuneec was camped out in some style. Literally, in fact, given the very cunning indoor/outdoor nature of its trailer and safety cage which would clearly be just as at home outdoors. The stand also had one foot firmly in the consumer camp with the 4K Breeze on display as well as the very rescue-friendly CGO ET dual camera, which includes both body-heat thermal and low-light sensors and can fit the company’s Typhoon-H
ADAM JuNIpER tOOk hIs cAMERA AlONG sEE hOw MORE AND MORE
phOtOGRAphERs ARE bEGINNING tO AppREcIAtE thE AERIAl pERspEctIvE…
report:
aircraft. This is a strong play for the company as its applications are immediate and obvious in the more recession-proof law enforcement, security and safety markets.
The DJI stand, too, was big enough to include a flying cage, and the gorgeous Inspire 2 was very much in evidence. Distributor London Camera Exchange was selling aircraft straight from the stand and, reportedly, blasting through its fresh stock of the Mavic Pro Fly More Combo (which includes an extra battery and travel case). This product has experienced supply troubles since its launch and the four months that have passed don’t seem have done anything to reduce that.
Also in the hall was Aerial Motion Pictures (AMP), home of the ICARUS Commercial UAV Course. Ella Shepard from the firm said that “a lot of photographers had been really interested in turning pro – we had to add extra course dates into our programme.”
As well as the exhibitors, the show organisers themselves had acknowledged the significance of the sector with a dedicated
‘Drone Zone’ stage in which a number of industry figures gave talks on aspects of drones. It’s quite a compliment for a sub-set of photography to get its own stage and the space devoted to drones was notably large.
Among those speaking included André Becker and Pete Rawlinson from DJI, Achim Glufke and Sascha Hagemann from Yuneec, the PowerVision team, Riley Stricklin from Lume Cube talking about adding its low-weight light solutions, AMP instructor Tom Pattison discussing turning pro and esteemed drone author and journalist Adam Juniper (ahem). These were all well attended and many photography enthusiasts and pros at the events indicated they were planning on buying a drone, or a second drone, in the next year.
All of this means that the show looks to have firmly established itself in the drone calendar,
at least for those with professional applications in mind – and we look forward to an even greater aerial presence next year!
“Many photography enthusiasts
and pros indicated they were
planning on buying a drone in
the next year”
The Yuneec stand was a popular stopping point for many visitors, with the likes of the Q500 worth a quick photo. The crowd waiting to enter the hall; throngs like this
formed on each of the show’s four mornings.
Power Rangers
The NEC is certainly a melting pot. ComicCon overlaps with the show for a couple of days and the PowerVision team took the opportunity to show its PowerEgg to a slightly different audience.
A
s many of you will be only too well aware, drones don’t always get the best press. For all the many, many great things we know they can do, there are always more stories about (possible) near misses with planes or some idiot flying over a football match. In an effort to redress the balance, the husband and wife team of Sarah and David Oneal, creators of That Drone Show, organised a global event back in 2015: International Drone Day.“A few years ago when drones were mentioned by the mainstream news it was always with negative connotations
– drones are dangerous, drones can invade your privacy; that kind of thing,” Sarah explained to us as we took her back to the event’s origins. “In the minds of the general public there was also no real differentiation between military drones and the drones we all love.
“There was also a perception that drone pilots were troublemakers, and many of us were facing restrictions around where we could fly. Knowing all of the many wonderful things drones are used for, and how responsible most drone pilots are, we found this very frustrating. So, we decided to create International Drone Day in order to educate the media and non-drone community about all the awesome things drones are used for.
“We wanted them to see that drones are used in search and rescue operations, in agriculture, in conservation, to prevent animal poaching, in film and TV, and so much more. And, of course, we wanted them to know that they are safe and fun. Hence the motto ‘Drones are good’. Finally we also wanted to protect our right to fly.”
Taking Off
That first International Drone Day was a great success, with some 150 events around the world drawing collective crowds in excess of 40,000 people – with one key factor being that every event tied into the day would be open to the public and press, to ensure that IDD would be as much about educating the wider non-drone community as it would be a good excuse to get a few like-minded folk together for a fun day’s flying.
InternatIonal Drone Day
As thE thIRD ANNuAl cElEbRAtION Of DRONEs AppROAchEs, IAN cOllEN
chAttED wIth thE EvENt ORGANIsERs tO sEE whAt’s IN stORE fOR 2017…
All photos courtesy of International Drone Day / That Drone Show
From above it’s clear just how difficult the rainforest is to navigate at ground level. Fixed wing drones can cut hours off a relatively short journey if they have space to take off and land.
After that initial success, it begged the obvious question: “same time next year?” – and it seems almost everyone answered ‘hell yeah!’ The 2016 IDD was even bigger, with 180 events spread across 53 countries seeing more than 60,000 people taking part. The Drone Magazine team was also able to get involved, taking in the MiniAirShow down in Brighton which saw a great couple of days flying over a sunny weekend, covering everything from FPV racing to drone building workshops, aerial displays and presentations. And as we all headed home everyone was thinking much that same question once again as we looked ahead to what could lie in store for 2017.
“We are super excited that International Drone Day is entering its third year,” Sarah tells us. “We were blown away that tens of thousands of people took part in the first two years – and this year is going to be even bigger! We have more teams than ever before and new teams are forming every day. We project there will be more than 180 events worldwide.” It’s worth pointing out that we spoke with Sarah a month before the show kicks off on 06 May – and there’s still time for plenty more people to get involved.
Talking about the evolution of the event over the past three years, Sarah does point to couple of changes in the format. “The first is that drone racing is now a huge part of the day.
“We decided to create International Drone Day in order to educate the media and
non-drone community about all the awesome things drones are used for”
Thanks to our partnership with MultiGP, drone racing is now a key part of many events. We are also partnering with Rotor Rush to put the International Drone Day race course into their simulator, so that children throughout the world will then race the course. How cool is that? One of the biggest events for this is Team Essex in the UK.
“The second change is that while the day continues to be focused on education – the battles to inform people that drones are good and to have places to fly safely – it has also become a celebration of flying. We are proud to have the AMA as the title sponsor for International Drone Day. They do great work for the drone community and have opened their fields to anyone that wants to host an event.”
the main event
So, what are likely to be the big headliners taking place this year? We might be biased towards some of the UK shows, but the USA is very much home territory for International Drone Day and host to the majority of events. “Every year one team hosts the mothership event and this year it is Portland, Oregon,” says Sarah. “Portland Team Captain Curtis Dart has organised drone racing, flying and lots of education and fun. Our movie The Drone Invasion will also be screened as part of the day.”
Sarah and David will be heading to Portland to play their part, and they’ll also be joined by the likes of the Roswell Flight Test Crew (with Patrick ‘Lucidity’ Sherman a regular contributor to this magazine), Jim “Demunseed” Bowers
“What we love is that each team caters
to their local community. It really is
a day belonging to drone pilots and
driven by the Team Captains”
IDD in the UK
Although the USA is where the majority of the IDD events are taking place, there are many more spread across the globe (as seen on the map below) with a good few taking place in the UK. The Team MiniAirShow is back again in Brighton and there are also teams in Oxford, Bristol, Scotland (near Edinburgh) and Wales (in a picturesque part of Carmarthenshire), while the Team Essex crew, which hosted an event for the original 2015 IDD, is also making a return with some inter-school drone racing planned, amongst other things.
For the full list of events, check the www.internationaldroneday.com website, and if you can’t find something that suits you perhaps try your local flying club to see if they’ve got anything of their own planned for the day (as it may take a little while for the website to be fully updated with the newly confirmed events) or follow IDD on Facebook @internationaldroneday for all of the latest announcements.
and Amelia Dronehart founder Rhianna Lakin – who we interviewed back in Issue 06 (which is well worth a look, if only for some of the great photos she’s taken!).
International Drone Day tends to follow a similar routine to New Year’s Eve, and how we all follow the firework displays as midnight moves from East to West. “The day kicks off in Australia, and events are held in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and North America, where Team Hawaii closes the day. For every one of you taking part remember that whatever the size of your event you are one of around 90,000 people coming together on one day to show the world that drones are good!”
With two years passed since that first International Drone Day, and another big showcase on the way, does Sarah think that the positive messages have been hitting home with the non-drone communities? “There has definitely been a shift in acceptance” she says. “While there are still ‘bad news’ stories about drones, there is also an increasing focus on the positive.
“One huge thing is that features using drones have become a regular fixture on mainstream morning
good friend Maria Stefanopoulos at Good Morning America. And if any of your readers aren’t yet listening to BBC Radio 4’s The Archers they need to! They have been showing positive uses of drones for a year or so in their storylines. There has also been much more dialogue between the agencies that determine where we can fly and the drone community. While far from perfect, we are having conversations we couldn’t have had three years ago.”
With another big weekend looking likely, kicking off on 06 May, this is one drone celebration that looks like it’s here to stay and Sarah sees no reason why it can’t become even bigger. “As drone use becomes more prevalent International Drone Day will continue to grow. There will be more events, and events will grow in scale.
“What we love is that each team caters to their local community. It really is a day belonging to drone pilots and driven by the Team Captains. All the International Drone Day Team Captains put on amazing events. They spend so much of their own time and money organizing them, so please be sure to thank your local Team Captain on the day. They are working hard for the drone community!”
IDD 2017 promises to be another great day (or two!), so why not get involved yourself – whether it’s finding your nearest event and popping along to join in the fun, or perhaps even rounding up a few mates and putting on a race or an aerial display of your own! And don’t forget to spread the message: Drones are good!
To find out more, simply head over to www.internationaldroneday.com
to track down your nearest event or to sign up for a team!
I
f you thought that the drone industry had matured, the market leader had been declared, and all was going to remain stable and boring, think again. With a headquarters in Beijing, China, and offices around the world, PowerVision has, at last, most definitely arrived and its growing product line makes it a real contender – not just for prosumers or for consumers, nor for any particular entrepreneurial sub-section. Indeed, PowerVision has planted itself very firmly in almost every category – and created a new one for itself while it was at it.Being taken seriously in the wider drone world isn’t as easy as it once was. When the DJI Phantom first appeared, it had so little competition that it almost completely defined the image of consumer drones. It even reached as far afield as South Park! Since then, as a quality enthusiast drone, the Phantom has faced numerous competitors, but most have sought primarily to compete against the ever-improving feature list. That makes for great drones, but it doesn’t necessarily create iconic products.
PowerVision has taken a step back and realised that features are important, but it has also seen that design is crucial, and that originality is highly desirable, too. In other words, we love a 4K camera, but customers also want something that they can connect with and, ideally, something people will remember.
Great eGGs-pectations
Step forward the PowerEgg; almost certainly one of the most interesting looking drones you’ve ever seen. That’s a bold claim for a journalist to make on your behalf in such an innovative market but, in all fairness, this drone looks like an ovulation. It’s not just a catchy name, as it really does look very much like a super-charged egg. But the shape isn’t just a novelty, though; it’s something that serves a very distinct purpose: to protect all of the vital components – the props and their arms, as well as the folding landing legs – in as convenient a way as possible.
The power,
The vision,
The egg…
WIth POWERVIsION lOOkING tO
chANGE hOW WE sEE DRONE
DEsIGN, ADAM JuNIPER tAkEs A
clOsER A lOOk At thE POWEREGG
AND thE cOMPANy’s OthER
INtRIGuING cREAtIONs…
All Photos by PowerVisionFrom above it’s clear just how difficult the rainforest is to navigate at ground level. Fixed wing drones can cut hours off a relatively short journey if they have space to take off and land.
Oval Office
When it’s completely closed up, the Egg resembles some kind of clockwork masterpiece. It also has a large white surface area without sharp interruptions, which might be very appealing for those who like to customise their devices.
Standing to attention and ready to fly. The battery is accessed by a flip-up lid, while the camera is exposed by removing the lower shell segment.
