Search and Rescue

France’s Val Thorens is reputedly the largest and highest ski resort in Europe. It’s also one of the most advanced in the world in using drones to ensure its runs and infrastructure are as safe – and clients protected – as possible.

Drones are terrific at a great many things, but recording audio isn’t one of them (unless you’re into giant, hyper-mosquito impersonations). New Zealand’s Dotterel wants to change that.

Australia’s specialized search and rescue drone maker, the Ripper Group, has announced its merger with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ). The agreement accompanies SLSQ taking an equity stake in the producers of the Little Ripper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through an undisclosed investment sum.

A new surveillance drone will be deployed by the Canadian Coast Guard in trials funded by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). Kongsberg Geospatial has been selected as the firm to oversee the tests, which involve MartinUAV’s innovative V-BAT drone.