Drone operator FlytBase has partnered with Iris Automation to provide detect and alert capability during beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight. The added safety feature is the result of providing the FlytBase FlytNow system with Iris Automation’s Casia G ground-based detect and alert system.
According to Iris Automation, the ground-based surveillance system continuously monitors airspace to ensure UAS operations are safe from intruder aircraft. The sensors employ Iris’ patented AI and computer vision technology to provide a full optical, 360° field of view for detecting and alerting to any cooperative or non-cooperative aircraft within a 2 km radius of the sensor’s location.
Being ground-based, it also eliminates the need for additional payload on the drone, which could reduce flight time, and it is ideal for routine and repeatable operations. For instance, the sensor could be located alongside the drone docking station, reducing the need for a visual observer, otherwise necessary for BVLOS operations. Casia G’s monitoring range can also be expanded by adding additional units to form a network of detection nodes and a mesh.
FlytNow is an intuitive, cloud-based software platform that allows drone operators to conduct fully automated BVLOS operations with drone-in-a-box systems from remote command centres. Through the integration, the FlytNow dashboard can display real-time Casia G system data, such as the type of intrusive aircraft, live telemetry, and its location on the map.
Additionally, remote drone operators are able to see the location, status (online or offline), and radius of the Casia G sensor. They are also able to get real-time alerts if an unauthorized aircraft is found in their operating area.
In addition to complete integration with Casia G to power safe collision free BVLOS flights, FlytNow also provides an array of safety features to enable safe flight operations. In the event of an emergency, such as RC link-loss, low battery, or internet connection loss, multiple failsafe events and associated behaviors can be configured via FlytNow. If a failsafe action is triggered, the drone will return to the docking station automatically. The remote operator can also upload/create No-Fly-Zones (NFZ) to prevent the drone from entering restricted or prohibited airspace.
FlytBase and Iris Automation will host a webinar to discuss the ‘How Iris Automation’s Casia G system is mitigating risks in BVLOS flights’ on the 17th of November at 10:00 AM CT (16:00 GMT). Link to register here
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