FPV, Drone Shows & AI in Disaster Relief | October 14, 2024

In this week's episode of Weekly Wings, hosts Paul Rossi, Samuel Stansberry, and Terry Neff dive into exciting drone-related innovations and their impact across various industries. The episode begins with an exploration of FPV Logic, an FPV simulator available on Steam. Samuel shares his firsthand experience using it as a tool to train in first-person-view (FPV) drone piloting, highlighting its value for beginners and seasoned pilots alike - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2398030/FPV_LOGIC/

The conversation then shifts to recent developments in counter-UAS technology. The hosts discuss the testing of advanced counter-UAS systems by the U.S. Marines and Israel, which are designed to neutralize potential aerial threats like drone swarms, emphasizing the growing need for such systems in modern defense - https://defensescoop.com/2024/10/11/marines-lmadis-counter-drone-system-wti-course/

Next, they look at the use of drones for installing sensors on power lines. This cutting-edge technology allows for the rapid installation of sensors to monitor power grids, improving safety and efficiency with minimal human involvement. The hosts marvel at the speed and precision of these drone operations - https://dronelife.com/2024/10/10/drones-install-powerline-sensors-in-seconds-as-heimdall-power-aims-to-meet-u-s-grid-compliance/

The episode also covers the Saildrone’s deployment into Hurricane Milton, where it collected critical weather data, showcasing drones’ abilities to withstand extreme environments while providing valuable information during natural disasters - https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/video/noaa-saildrone-first-look-at-milton-waves-in-gulf

In the world of entertainment, the team discusses Tesla’s recent “We Robot” event, which featured a spectacular drone light show. This was followed by Denver’s upcoming 40-night drone light show event for the holiday season, bringing awe-inspiring visuals to the sky every night starting in November - https://dronexl.co/2024/10/11/tesla-wows-crowd-drone-show-we-robot-event/ and https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/drone-show-downtown-denver-holiday-season/

On a more serious note, the episode explores the use of Skyfire AI in Western North Carolina for hurricane relief efforts. Drones, equipped with AI, were deployed to assist in search-and-rescue missions and deliver essential supplies to areas cut off by the storm - https://dronelife.com/2024/10/10/skyfire-is-on-the-ground-for-hurricane-response-an-inside-look-at-the-mission/

In a fascinating twist, the team highlights a new discovery—a previously unknown plant species identified by a drone collecting samples from the side of a cliff. This use of drones in scientific research is opening new frontiers for exploration in hard-to-reach environments - https://www.popsci.com/technology/drone-discovers-plant/

Finally, the episode concludes with a look at "lights-out" inventory management in warehouses, where drones equipped with advanced sensors are able to conduct inventory in complete darkness, offering businesses a new way to increase efficiency and reduce ener