Boeing and SparkCognition have announced plans to launch SkyGrid, a new company that will enable the future of urban aerial mobility. Based in Austin, Texas, SkyGrid will develop a software platform to ensure the safe, secure integration of autonomous cargo and passenger air vehicles in the global airspace, say the two companies.
“Using blockchain technology, AI-enabled dynamic traffic routing, data analytics and cybersecurity features, SkyGrid’s platform will go beyond unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM). The platform will enable SkyGrid customers to safely perform a broad range of missions and services using UAS, including package delivery, industrial inspections and emergency assistance.”
According to Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Boeing NeXt. “SkyGrid is building the digital infrastructure that will make safe, seamless commercial and personal transport possible for billions of people around the world.”
“SkyGrid merges expertise in AI, blockchain, security and aviation to deliver breakthrough technological advancements for the rapidly-growing urban aerial mobility industry,” said Amir Husain, who will serve as CEO of SkyGrid in addition to his role as founder and CEO of SparkCognition. “By offering scalable and robust capabilities in a single, integrated framework, SkyGrid will make large-scale air vehicle applications more practical and accessible.”
It will support the following functions:
- Inflight Monitoring/Alerting
In-flight capabilities to handle weather monitoring, alerts, flight path modifications, Remote Pilot in Control (RPIC) handoff, as well as autonomous navigation and failsafe measures.
- FAA/Regulatory Agency Integration
Working with regulatory agencies to streamline flight plan approval process for UAVs in the SkyGrid ecosystem.
- Automated Route Approvals
Flight paths for each UAV are automatically determined by the system based on current air traffic.
- Dynamic Rerouting
Instantly providing alternate flight paths and re-routing UAVs in emergencies, worsening weather conditions or new restricted areas while the vehicle is inflight
- Autonomous AI-Driven Cybersecurity
Machine learning based anti-malware to detect/block any anomalous, potentially malicious activity on the edge.
- Intelligent Deconfliction
Constantly updating routing and rerouting services to account for hazards and changes in operating conditions.
- Distributed Airspace Monitoring
Every vehicles in the system constantly monitor surrounding activity and report unexpected and suspicious flight paths.
- Embedded Predictive Maintenance
Predictive AI analytics and machine learning will examine vehicle and flight data to return actionable insights, flagging suboptimal operations and forecasting vehicle health to ensure safe operations.
- Immutable Blockchain Records
SkyGrid’s distributed ledger of immutable transactions will securely store accurate and reliable flight and UAV data.
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