Facebook recently explored building bird-size drones loaded with data to help improve internet connections. The project, known as Catalina, aimed to build fixed-wing aircraft capable of carrying media to augment slow internet connections, like 2G. Though the project never took off, Catalina demonstrates the immense potential for drone technology.
Milan's Malpensa Airport was closed for thirty minutes on Monday due to a drone flying near one of the airport’s terminals. Though it’s illegal to fly a drone within 5 KM of an airport per the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, Malpensa saw a similar closure last month when a drone was spotted nearby from the control tower.
The New Zealand government is using drones as part of a larger initiative to combat rat infestation throughout the nation. Authorities plan to use drones to exterminate the rats from above, while mapping their locations in order to place customized poisons and traps on the ground.
On Monday, the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International, AUVSI, announced the finalists for the second annual XCELLENCE awards. "The XCELLENCE awards recognize companies and individuals who are achieving remarkable results with unmanned systems technology to benefit our communities,” said president and CEO, Brian Wynne. The award winners will be announced at AUVSI XPONENTIAL in late April and early May.
