GAMMA Programme 2016-03-04T07:05:35Z http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/feed/atom/ WordPress Gordon Smith <![CDATA[Cheap jerseys from China, all goods free shipping!]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1232 2016-03-04T07:05:35Z 2015-10-28T13:54:43Z Continue Reading ]]> Cheap jerseys from China, all goods free shipping!

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Robotics network up and running in the north]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1072 2015-09-09T16:15:12Z 2015-09-09T16:15:12Z Continue Reading ]]> The new wave of robotics and autonomous systems is set to transform the way the UK does business, a major conference was told at Media City UK.

To a round of applause and intense media attention, the launch of the Northern Robotics Network unveiled a glimpse of what is happening already and what is to come with faster, wealth-creating applications of rapidly-moving technology.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has highlighted that the UK is in a prime position to achieve a 10 per cent share of a robotics and autonomous systems market estimated to be worth £70bn by 2020. A report by McKinsey estimated the application of advanced robotics could generate a potential global economic impact of $1.9 trillion to $6.4 trillion by 2025.

Paul Mort, chairman of the NRN, said: “This network we are forming means we can help to fast-forward many small and larger businesses across into global markets.

“The application of this technology is diverse and includes food manufacturing, the nuclear industry, dementia care, the aerospace industry, automotive and many more.

“The principles of it are already all around us in every-day technology. By developing these opportunities in partnership we can stay ahead and seize the wider market opportunities.”

More than 300 delegates looked on as experts and scientists revealed their progress made so far under a programme known as GAMMA (Growing Autonomous Mission Management Applications), a three-year, £9million investment by the government and its partners in the regions.

Dr David Bailey, chair of the steering committee for GAMMA, said: “The skills shortage in engineering and advanced manufacturing are well documented. This technology gives us the opportunities to further develop the people we already employ to progress and manage these new systems, increasing their prospects for the future.

“There is also the opportunity to engage new talent, as there is a wide range of career opportunities in this field.”

Dr Bailey, also chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, added: “It can take up to eight or ten years to develop the aircraft that might take you on your holidays. With this technology, we might halve that time. Imagine the benefits all round to those involved in the supply chain, and the aerospace industry. This same principle applies across the board in diverse sectors.”

Small businesses represented included RNC Avionics of Lancaster and Morecambe-based InTouch. The team at RNC Avionics has developed software for a drone which can track vehicles, people, animals and any object of special interest, while InTouch specialists have a unique approach to collecting and analysing data to help tackle the UK’s chronic flooding problems.

Corporate business, too, showed their advances including Siemens, ABB and James Fisher, which has developed remote underwater vehicles for helping to remove nuclear waste from Sellafield.

The GAMMA programme partners include the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), BAE Systems, universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Salford, UCLan and Liverpool (including the Virtual Engineering Centre), National Nuclear Laboratories, Lancashire County Council and the Regional Growth Fund.

It aims to grow the UK’s industrial base by supporting the development of novel software applications by SMEs for autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles and the development of supporting facilities and infrastructure.

See https://connect.innovateuk.org/web/northern-robotics-network

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Robotics putting the power into Powerhouse]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1068 2015-09-03T13:50:13Z 2015-09-02T23:10:05Z Continue Reading ]]> One of David Cameron’s priority policies received its biggest showcase yet as the Innovate UK’s Northern Robotics Network unveiled a glimpse of what the future could look like for UK business today. Robotics and autonomous systems have a bright future

The Prime Minister pledged the Conservatives to make the UK the ‘best place in Europe to innovate, patent new ideas and set up and expand a business.’

Today, the launch of the Innovate UK’s Northern Robotics Network (NRN) represents a milestone in the government’s technology mission, bringing together the partners in academia, research and development and commercial innovation in robotics and autonomous systems. This, says the government, will enable faster, wealth-creating applications of rapidly-moving technology.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has highlighted that the UK is in a prime position to achieve a 10 per cent share of a robotics and autonomous systems market estimated to be worth £70bn by 2020. A report by McKinsey estimated the application of advanced robotics could generate a potential global economic impact of $1.9 trillion to $6.4 trillion by 2025.

Paul Mort, chairman of the NRN, said: “By collaborating with our partners, academia and commercial enterprise we can create new economic opportunities across the UK and worldwide faster and more productively than previously possible.

“The aim is to establish our network as a Northern Powerhouse for Robotics and Autonomous Systems, growing it on behalf of UK plc and export the applications and products across global markets.”

More than 300 delegates looked on as experts and scientists revealed their progress made so far under a programme known as GAMMA (Growing Autonomous Mission Management Applications), a three-year, £9million investment by the government in the regions.

Experts from industries including food production, manufacturing, nuclear, aerospace and rail demonstrated their breakthrough technology at the University of Salford at Greater Manchester’s MediaCity UK.

Small businesses represented included TGC from Harrogate, a business specialising in fields including flight training, autonomous mission management applications and mobile app development and SUAVE Aerial Photographers in Wigan and Daresbury, specialising in photography from unmanned aerial vehicles for use in projects including 3D modelling, surveys and inspections.

Corporate business, too, showed their advances including Siemens, ABB and James Fisher, which has developed remote underwater vehicles for helping to remove nuclear waste from Sellafield.

Dr David Bailey, chair of the steering committee for GAMMA, said: “This demonstrates how far we have come in developing this technology for everyday business – and how far it can go. The sheer diversity of innovation and applications brings home the real value being developed through businesses in the region large and small.”

Dr Bailey, also chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, added: “The GAMMA programme has provided SMEs with funding and practical technology support, enabling them to develop their intellectual property into a real successful business and developed the infrastructure to serve this developing supply chain into the future.”

The GAMMA programme partners include the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), BAE Systems, universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Salford, Liverpool, UCLan and Liverpool (including the Virtual Engineering Centre), National Nuclear Laboratories,  Lancashire County Council and the Regional Growth Fund.

It aims to grow the UK’s industrial base by supporting the development of novel software applications by SMEs for autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles and the development of supporting facilities and infrastructure.

See https://connect.innovateuk.org/web/northern-robotics-network

 

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Case study: Managing drones in our skies]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1062 2015-08-28T15:48:20Z 2015-08-28T15:48:20Z Continue Reading ]]> The Great Circle

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Innovation

The way drones are used in disaster zones, search and rescue efforts and at major events could take a huge step forward thanks to a ground-breaking mission planning programme which will save time and money.

With funding from the GAMMA Programme for autonomous systems, The Great Circle, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has created an algorithm which enables airborne UAVs to communicate and re-evaluate intelligence in the air.

For example, if four drones were covering different aspects of a major sporting event and one of them lost power the mission management software would tell the remaining three to regroup to ensure the initial objectives of covering the event are met, such as ensuring the sporting action is caught on camera or the crowd is monitored.

Currently, mission management plans can take up to a day to create, but this algorithm can create 20,000 possible solutions in just seconds, based on factors including the size of the area and the weather.

Because the UAVs can carry on with the mission even if one fails it can save time at crucial moments. When a drone fails under systems currently available it would be brought back by the operator on the ground and another one sent out – wasting vital time.

Adam Berrington, who set up The Great Circle, said: “The money and the time it is going to save is quite special. The software enables the operator to make the best use of their resources and achieve their objectives much more efficiently.

“The 22,000 lines of code making up the software have taken about a year to write. Without the GAMMA programme I would never have got this far.

“The co-evolving mission planning software looks at every possible solution in seconds. Planners can sometimes spend six or seven hours doing this.

The algorithm has already been tested using a simulator scenario at Silverstone and the next step for Adam and his team is to carry out a mission on that scale for real.

He said: “We have proved the concept, we have yet to fly it for real. The next stage is to fly the Silverstone scenario and get it on a real aircraft rather than a simulator.”

Application

This mission management software could be used in a search and rescue scenario or for disaster relief. It could also be used at major sporting events, such as racing or tennis.

The algorithm can consider a range of mission planning factors including area of search, restricted airspace constraints, maximum ground control station range and adverse weather effects.

Outcomes

The Great Circle was founded by Adam Berrington in 2004 initially as a flight training school. The business has seven employees and has carried out various research programmes. It has also recently been granted National Qualified Entity status for its UAV training courses.

This algorithm development work aligns with the ‘multi-task, multi-asset planning and allocation’ topic within the GAMMA programme, from which this project was part funded.

Expert knowledge for the algorithm was provided from The Great Circle, with software development support and underpinning optimisation techniques coming from UCLan.

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Case study: Tracking people and objects reaches new levels]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1058 2015-08-28T15:43:21Z 2015-08-28T15:43:21Z Continue Reading ]]> RNC Avionics

Lancaster, Lancashire

Innovation

Adapting software on a drone means that tracking vehicles, people, animals or anything else of special interest that moves can be taken to new levels thanks to a development by experts at Lancaster-based RNC Avionics.

With funding from the GAMMA Programme for autonomous systems, the company provides information and data for building an increased situational awareness of an incident or ongoing position, leading to improved decision-making.

The software gathers data about movements through video and puts the operators in a position where they can take informed decisions about whether to continue tracking or not.

Prof Garik Markarian, CEO of RNC Avionics, based at Lancaster, said: “We can track any moving object in any situation. Our software system enables a drone to lock onto the vehicle or object, track it and gather valuable intelligence back to the operator.

“For instance, it can track an animal and help to guide people trying to help it or it could track a person within a vehicle who is of special interest for whatever reason. The system feeds back information using video analytics software upon which decisions can then be made rather than making any assumptions.”

The RNC Avionics team has called this development the Eagle-Watch Project because of the nature of the innovation.

Application

This can be applied in the desert for example, a city, or in any other location where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be deployed with a camera.

Recently, RNC introduced a new product, called DualCam, which allows simultaneous monitoring of both optical and thermal video streams over a dedicated single radio channel.

The latest functions developed by RNC Avionics reflect the company’s strategy towards the incorporation of new components related with advanced on-board processing of sensor data to bring the very latest technology to this sector in the most innovative and effective way possible.

Outcomes

The company – part of the Rinicom group and founded in 2010 – has a small, growing team developing the technology for applications across a diverse range of uses including military, anti-terrorism surveillance and transport in road, rail or marine, part funded by the GAMMA programme.

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Case study: Starting to solve the UK’s chronic flooding through targeted gullying]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1055 2015-08-28T15:39:54Z 2015-08-28T15:39:54Z Continue Reading ]]> InTouch Ltd

Morecambe, Lancashire

Innovation

A unique approach to collecting and analysing data could be one of the answers to tackling the UK’s chronic flooding problems, which has cost the UK £4.9bn since 2007.

There are more than 14million gullies in the UK and current cleaning systems cost around £70m a year.

With funding from the GAMMA programme for autonomous systems, Morecambe-based In Touch Ltd, has created the SmartWater Solution, a system which has produced initial predictions for flooding and training issues with an accuracy of 70 per cent. This is achieved by combining gully sensor data with environmental feeds through complex software.

Sensors are fitted within the roadside gully network which monitor the water levels and silt levels in the gullies. Information is collected through an Internet of Things data hub and combined with environmental data including weather prediction, tree population, traffic count and traffic behaviour through an intelligent self-learning software programme.

The data is analysed and visualised and can alert the authorities to blocked gullies or problem areas. The information can then be used to address the issue before it causes a problem, therefore increasing efficiencies and reducing the costs associated with gully maintenance.

Application

InTouch’s SmartWater project was carried out over a 10 month period in conjunction with Carillion PLC and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to help tackle the problems of flooding in the area.

Redcar and Cleveland has faced a number of flooding issues in recent years and the trial allowed authorities to see which gullies were blocked or at risk of flooding.

The trial lasted for three months and the data collected during that time enabled InTouch to make predictions on where problems could arise.

Project manager Louise Sugden said: “The sensors in the gullies monitor the water and silt levels. The data is fed back and combined with weather data, tree data, environmental factors and road levels and through complex data modelling we can predict potential flooding.

“As a rule it is said that 80 per cent of gullies are always clean and running well and 20 per cent are problem gullies. But at the moment the only way this can be determined is by manually checking all of them.

“The SmartWater Solution saves time and effort because it means only the gullies which need cleaning are being cleaned which in turn is delivering cost benefits.

“The response so far has been excellent and we know the more data we collect the more accurate the predictions will become and the more benefits the solution can deliver.”

Bryan Cunningham, Contract Manager, Carillion, Redcar and Cleveland added: “We have worked with InTouch on developing the InTouch SmartWater Solution over the last five years in Redcar and Cleveland and have been impressed with the innovative approach taken in delivering a smarter way of working for gully cleaning.

“We are now enjoying the fruits of our labour with targeted gully emptying, remote sensors in our gullies and predictions linked to the weather forecast all now in place. We understand that this is a journey and the quality of the predictions will improve as we gather more data. We only wish all our other partners were as innovative and responsive as InTouch.”

Outcomes

InTouch Ltd has been established for more than 30 years, starting out providing radio systems for the quarrying industry, before developing electronic systems for highways management which led them into drainage and flood management.

The SmartWater Solution is now core to the InTouch business strategy.

Louise added: “Our ambition is to manage the whole of the UK drainage network and know where the problems are and target them across different counties. We believe by switching to a SmartWater methodology for managing the drainage network, we could deliver savings of £90m over five years across the UK.”

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Case study: Securing the ‘Internet of Things’]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1050 2015-08-28T15:16:51Z 2015-08-28T15:16:23Z Continue Reading ]]> Distributed Management Systems Ltd (DMS)

Blackburn, Lancashire

Innovation

The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) imagines a connected world, with objects linked across homes, cities and the globe communicating with each other without the need for human intervention.

But one issue facing this emerging technology is how do you identify these ‘things’ and how do you communicate securely with them across the Internet or indeed any other communications network.

Traditional solutions including client certificates and secure sockets are no longer considered appropriate and confidence has been eroded following recent security scares.

This has led to the quest to produce a universal solution that provides mutual authentication followed by a secure encrypted ‘tunnel’ which is not susceptible to so-called Man in the Middle (MiM) attacks and cannot be compromised by insiders with access to the relevant server.

DMS was founded in the 1980s as a software house. Following a project with the Dover Harbour Board in which the company wrote the software for the physical access control system for the harbour, it developed a solution branded as CASQUE. This has already been used by customers including G4S, O2 Airwave and the UK’s Ministry of Defence, and it is also approved by NATO.

The GAMMA Programme enabled DMS to apply its second generation technology, CASQUE SNR, to show how the security requirements of IoT could be addressed.

Application

A typical scenario is no longer just the typical Server-and-Client communication used in the traditional architecture of computers and the Internet, but tri-party communication; for instance, Server to Ground Station to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

CASQUE SNR enables a host computer to be assured of the identity of the user attempting access as well as providing assurance to the user that the host computer is not itself masquerading as the intended host.

GAMMA funding enabled DMS to apply CASQUE SNR methods and by adding an Encrypting Engine (EE) to each of the UAVs and Ground Station, then mutual authentication via a CASQUE SNR Authentication Server followed by the setting up of a secure channel could be demonstrated The system was further developed to integrate with an existing UAV simulation at Liverpool University’s Virtual Engineering Centre at Daresbury.

Basil Philipsz, CEO of DMS, said: “GAMMA allowed us to showcase our technology in relation to secure communications between a Ground Station and its UAVs and demonstrating that our product can also be applied to other communication platforms in the IoT.”

Outcomes

Protection of information assets in the rapidly developing, intensively connected Internet is becoming more difficult, especially with the advent of cloud computing and the emerging IoT market.

CASQUE SNR is a radical technology which has ‘provable security’- for each envisaged attack threat, corresponding counter measures have been devised.

DMS has now applied for patents for its solutions, which are expected to be granted in the EU and US. It employs four members of staff full time, and CASQUE SNR has just been named the Best Mutual – Multi-Factor Authentication Technology in Corporate Visions Technology Awards 2015.

 

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Case study: Flying the flag for UAV photography]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1045 2015-08-28T15:18:01Z 2015-08-28T15:09:31Z Continue Reading ]]> SUAVE Aerial Photographers

Wigan, Lancashire

www.suaveairphotos.co.uk

Innovation

Aerial photography is to become safer and easier thanks to an innovation from a leading company in the unmanned aerial vehicles sector.

Suave Aerial Photographers provides aerial photography and other remote sensing data using UAVs.

Its UAVs are hi-tech, remote-controlled helicopters capable of capturing imaging data from varied perspectives and in various forms.

Founder Greg Colley, a computer programmer, started the business in 2009 at the Daresbury Innovation Centre. Initially intending to manufacture drones for commercial sale, Greg began to offer aerial photography to customers and has been carrying out this specialist service ever since.

The Gamma Programme assisted Greg in creating a software division within his business, focused on mission management and in particular, software that would allow UAVs to ‘think’ for themselves while running missions.

Application

The work carried out by SUAVE is highly specialised photography, capturing images which are often utilised by customers for projects such as archaeological surveys.

For instance, a recent project saw SUAVE carry out an aerial survey of Creswell Crags, Nottinghamshire, a site of archaeological importance. SUAVE worked with specialist archaeological practice ArcHeritage, commissioned to produce a detailed 3D model of the gorge, and undertook an aerial survey to capture details of the higher levels.

In another major project, during the £30m A57 road improvement scheme in Salford, for Buckingham Group Contracting and Hochtief UK Construction, SUAVE was contracted to provide monthly aerial photographic records of the progress of the site. As the site is close to City Airport, Manchester, the team worked with air traffic controllers to operate safely and effectively. SUAVE’s UAVs were effectively classed as an ordinary aircraft.

The work Greg is carrying out, funded and supported by the GAMMA Programme, is particularly relevant for building surveys.

Outcomes

The software will enable a UAV to ‘see’ a building it is surveying, in real-time 3D using a form of artificial intelligence.

Greg Colley, MD of SUAVE, said: “If a UAV can see a building it can position itself at the most efficient point to carry out the mission parameters, and deal with any issues that crop up during flight.

“Therefore collisions can be avoided, particularly important when working at significant height around important archaeological and architectural sites. In addition, the UAV operator will find much of the ‘load’ will be taken off them, with the UAV able to operate independently.

“GAMMA has enabled SUAVE to create a dedicated division of our business to build the software necessary to enable the increased safety and accuracy in UAV operation.”

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Rachel Holmes <![CDATA[Robotics powers business into new era]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=1041 2015-08-28T15:02:19Z 2015-08-28T15:02:19Z Continue Reading ]]> Businesses large and small are using the cutting edge of robotics and autonomous systems created in the North to help lead the new UK economy.

This will be the key message at the launch of the Northern Robotics Network (NRN), with a major technology conference bringing together 300 of the region’s top experts from industries including food production, manufacturing, nuclear, aerospace and rail.

Robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) is one of the UK’s ‘eight great technologies’ highlighted by the Government, and according to a report by McKinsey the application of advanced robotics could generate a potential global economic impact of $1.9 trillion to $6.4 trillion by 2025.

The NRN will work with partner organisations including industry and academia to grow the sector in the North West, work with partners at national level and use investment to grow innovative supply chain skills and jobs.

The conference, to be held on September 4 at the University of Salford, MediaCityUK, will highlight for the first time the work of SMEs in the region already operating successfully within the sector and poised to grow.

These growing businesses include TGC in Harrogate, a business specialising in fields including flight training, autonomous mission management applications and mobile app development; and SUAVE Aerial Photographers in Wigan and Daresbury, specialising in photography from unmanned aerial vehicles for use in projects including 3D modelling, surveys and inspections.

Paul Mort, chair of the NRN, said: “With further investment and support this technology can help to grow the economy in this region and for the wider UK into the short and long-term future.

”The NRN will enable the work being carried out by a range of SMEs in the North West to lead further development and exchange of knowledge across a range of sectors.”

Dr David Bailey, chair of the steering committee for the three-year, £9million GAMMA (Growing Autonomous Mission Management Applications) programme, one of the event partners, said: “UAVs are often the public face of robotics and autonomous systems, but this conference is very much about showcasing this technology and the work going on to share and develop the knowledge and innovation in diverse sectors from manufacturing to food production.”

Dr Bailey, also chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, added: “GAMMA provides SMEs with funding and practical technology support, enabling them to develop their intellectual property into a successful business.”

The GAMMA programme is a £9 million collaboration with partners North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), BAE Systems, universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Salford, Liverpool, UCLan and Liverpool (including the Virtual Engineering Centre), National Nuclear Laboratories,  Lancashire County Council and the Regional Growth Fund.

It aims to grow the UK’s industrial base by supporting the development of novel software applications by SMEs for autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles and the development of supporting facilities and infrastructure.

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Amiee <![CDATA[The Unmanned Future of Logistics]]> http://gammaprogramme.co.uk/?p=965 2014-09-04T10:17:51Z 2014-09-04T23:01:39Z Continue Reading ]]> THE UNMANNED FUTURE OF LOGISTICS
  • 42% of logistics operators surveyed believe their business will utilise Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the distribution of cargo in future
  • 36% of freight forwarders surveyed believe UAVs will be used for the distribution of cargo
  • Of those firms that believe UAVs will be deployed, the majority envisage an ambitious time horizon of 15 years for their introduction

New research 1 commissioned by the National Aeronautical Centre (NAC) reveals that 42%of logistics carriers believe their business plans to use UAVs for the distribution of cargo in future. With fuel prices 2 identified as one of the most important perceived risks facing the logistics industry, combined with predicted strong growth in international freight 3 volumes, UAVs may provide cost savings for logistics companies in the long term, as it is anticipated that fuel requirements for UAVs will be lower than for conventional aircraft.

The research also reveals over a third (36%) of freight forwarders believe UAVs, also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), will be used for the future distribution of cargo. While huge volumes of cargo are currently still transported on passenger aircraft, the cost of this transportation method may see companies investigating alternative solutions such as UAVs in future.

Companies surveyed across the freight and logistics industry that believe their firm will use UAVs for cargo distribution are ambitious in their timescales. On average, companies believed they would witness the introduction of these solutions for commercial application within the next fifteen years.

However, the NAC’s findings also reveal that those involved in the design and manufacture of UAVs will need to demonstrate to the market that in future they will truly be able to carry heavy payloads.  The highest ranking concern from logistics firms and freight forwarders was that UAVs would not be able to transport sufficient tonnage to replace manned marine and air freight distribution solutions.

Ray Mann, Managing Director of West Wales Airport and architect of the NAC, said : “This research shows that there is identified, tangible demand in the marketplace for UAVs capable of facilitating the transportation of goods with significant tonnage internationally. The challenge for those involved in the design, manufacture and testing of UAVs is to leverage this demand to help secure the required resource investment to ensure the delivery of commercially viable applications.

“The NAC ensures those involved in the operation and testing of UAV solutions can utilise world-class facilities as they develop larger unmanned systems that will evolve into vehicles capable of transporting significant payloads in future.”

 

1 Survey conducted amongst sixty leading logistics carriers and freight forwarders between 28 th July – 11 th August 2014

2 FTA Logistics Industry Survey 2013/14

3 U.S. Federal Highway Administration,  Freight Facts and Figures 2009  (issued 2010);  Freight Facts and Figures 2010  (issued 2011).

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