Aerobits, a pioneer in air traffic control solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with the German company Droniq, which specializes in unmanned traffic management (UTM). This collaboration aims to establish standardized protocols for UTM drone tracking technology across Europe. At present, there are no existing technical guidelines at either the national or European levels. The partnership was officially announced during the intergeo/Interaerial Solutions 2019 event held in Stuttgart, Germany.
Droniq has developed an innovative LTE modem, referred to as the hook-on device (HOD), which enhances airspace awareness by continuously transmitting a drone’s location over Deutsche Telekom’s mobile network to the UTM system created by DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, the air navigation service provider. Additionally, the HOD is capable of receiving details from FLARM (Flight Alarm) and ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast), which are collision avoidance systems utilized by manned aircraft and helicopters. This information can be relayed to the UTM system,offering UAV operators a extensive view of all aerial activities in their vicinity.
Moreover, the HOD can share its own location data via FLARM, ensuring that other aircraft receive alerts about the drone’s presence, even if they are not connected to the UTM system. Various models of the HOD, including fixed-housing and OEM versions, are currently in progress.
“This advancement significantly enhances safety in low-altitude airspace and represents a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of all airspace users,” stated Jan-Eric Putze, CEO of Droniq.
“Our choice was heavily influenced by Aerobits’ unique blend of technical expertise, aviation knowledge, and rapid implementation capabilities,” remarked Ralph Schepp, COO of Droniq.
“Minimizing the size and weight of hardware to facilitate its use in drones is essential for us to successfully integrate UAVs into the airspace. This is why Aerobits is an invaluable partner for Droniq,” added Thilo Vogt, Droniq’s head of Sales and Business Development.
