New Rescue Drone Demonstrates Outstanding Capabilities

Drones have been increasingly deployed in search and rescue in recent years. However, it is hard to find a solution that could cover great distances and run for hours beyond the sightline of a human operator. Swiss air rescue service Rega, a private non-profit company, developed a new drone after failing to find a suitable solution for the search for missing persons – a drone that can autonomously scan large areas and identify potential targets. The heat-seeking drone is designed to help its human rescue teams find people who are lost, injured or ill in the mountains of Switzerland and Lichtenstein, where the rescue service operates.
According to dezeen.com, the small drone is equipped with infrared and daylight cameras, as well as a mobile phone tracking function, which can spot a phone within an uninhabited area from hundreds of meters away – and therefore usually its owner. Software developed together with university ETH Zurich transfers the pixel pattern of collected images and relays information on any presumed humans back to the operator on the ground. The software incorporates a machine-learning algorithm so it will become more accurate over time.

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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