GPS World, February 2016

WATCH MARKET UAV 2 Intel to Acquire Ascending Technologies B rian Krzanich I nsurance companies in the U S and Canada have jumped on the UAV bandwagon with many now offering coverage for commercial drone users The insurance usually covers liability for any damage caused by the drone with comprehensive options covering damage to the drone itself Unmanned Risk Management which also insures helicopters and other aircraft has insured drones in all 50 U S states and in other countries and has insured the seven film operators that received Section 333 exemptions ProSight Specialty Insurance which operates in the U S and UK was given a Best in Biz Award partly for creating insurance for drone operators Its so Krzanich highlighted UAV technology in his CES keynote such the Yuneec Typhoon H with Intel RealSense Technology designed for collision avoidance Photo Intel prescient and forward thinking given the burgeoning use of drones in todays business world said a Best in Biz judge AIG has developed commercial UAV coverage designed for the exposure faced by remotely piloted semi autonomous and fully autonomous aircraft In Canada Intact Insurances UAV coverage caters to small and mediumsized 46 GPS WORLD WWW GPSWORLD COM FEBRUARY 2016 businesses that use or plan to use drones in their business operations Meanwhile a Chicago law firm is now specializing in federal commercial drone law Antonelli Law became the first law firm in the U S to be invited by drone maker DJI to participate in the companys referral program for commercial drone users to help them receive Section 333 exemptions from the Federal Aviation Administration FAA In 2015 Antonelli Law filed more than 50 petitions with the FAA The firm also launched a specialized drone law service to help police and fire departments community colleges universities and municipalities obtain FAA exemptions Intel CEO demonstrated the broad capabilities UAV technology during his keynote presentation on Jan 5 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas The company also announced that it would be acquiring Ascending Technologies a drone company in Krailing Germany that produces drone auto pilot software and algorithms Intel has already partnered to combine Ascending Technologies sense and avoid a lgorithms with Intel RealSense technologys real t ime depth sensing capability These technologies can improve drone safety helping them avoid obstacles and collisions With Ascending Technologies Intel gains expertise and technology to accelerate the deployment of RealSense technology into the fast growing drone market segment The Ascending Technologies team is expected to continue supporting its current customers while also collaborating with Intels Perceptual Computing team to develop UAV technology that can help drones fly with more awareness of their environments Drones are quickly emerging as an important computing platform of the future writes Josh Walden on an Intel blog With practical applications ranging from disaster response to infrastructure inspection to delivery of goods UAVs offer an incredible opportunity for innovation across a multitude of industries As a result Intel is positioning itself at the forefront of this opportunity to increasingly integrate the computing communications sensor and cloud technology required to make drones smarter and more connected Insurance and Law Firms Start Drone Services