Greg Galitzine : Robotics
Greg Galitzine

June 2010

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NASA Global Hawk Soars Over the Pacific

June 14, 2010

 NASA announced earlier this month that the agency's unmanned Global Hawk aircraft, developed by Northrop Grumman, completed a series of four science flights over the Pacific Ocean back in April as part of the Global Hawk Pacific (GloPac) mission, a joint project between NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).                                                                     The GloPac mission flights were designed to collect data in the stratosphere. Fitted with 11 science instruments, Global Hawk acquired and transmitted data that has never before been accessible through either manned flights or satellites. Flights reached up to 65,000 feet where information was collected from the air as well as the water and polar ice below.   Flights ranged from north of the Arctic Circle, over polar ice, down to Hawaii near the equator. NASA Global Hawk completed 82.5 flight hours, with one particular flight lasting 28.6 hours, eight hours of which was spent north of Alaska over the polar ice.

Boeing in UAV Control Deal for U.S. Air Force

June 14, 2010

Boeing recently announced a three-year, $9.8 million US Air Force Research Lab contract to develop and demonstrate technologies designed to enable multiple small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to coordinate with each other and a manned airborne control station to more safely and effectively carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.   The Foxhunt Multi-Small Unmanned Aerial System Cooperative Control Demonstration will leverage Boeing's networked systems expertise and technology advancements to directly support an emerging and challenging U.S. Air Force need.   According to Patrick Stokes of Boeing Research & Technology, "It's part of a grander vision outlined by the Air Force Research Laboratory to include the air launch, command-and-control and airborne recovery of unmanned aerial systems - all from an airborne mothership."   Stokes said the unmanned aerial systems are intended to be an extension of the manned mothership's sensor and weapon suites, improving situational awareness and intelligence, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance reach, allowing for safer stand-off distances.

Adept to Acquire MobileRobots

June 14, 2010

 Adept Technology, Inc. , announced a deal to acquire New Hampshire-based, privately held MobileRobots Inc., a company that designs and develops autonomous robot and automated guided vehicle (AGV) technologies. According to an official press release, the terms of the acquisition involve approximately $1 million of cash at closing, plus 763,359 shares of Adept common stock which is subject to vesting conditions, and a contingent cash payment of up to $320,000 after one year for an estimated transaction value of $4.5 million.
  
Adept President and CEO, John Dulchinos explained the appeal of the acquisition. "With this acquisition, Adept strengthens its ability to develop and deliver highly flexible automation solutions aligned with the needs and demands of our target markets."   MobileRobots solutions include individual robots in hospitals, factory floor AGV fleets, and more. The company's autonomous platforms are able to navigate in unstructured environments and provide comprehensive solutions and unmatched flexibility in delivering supplies, components and parts in complex and peopled environments.   Jeanne Dietsch, CEO and Co-founder of MobileRobots was very pleased with the decision to join forces with Adept.