Vodafone has collaborated with Manna Air Delivery in Ireland, a business with 6 years of experience in city drone shipments, to from another location pilot a shipment drone over two kilometres utilizing Vodafones mobile network.Enabling Communication in the SkiesManna, which has completed approximately 200,000 deliveries, just recently worked with Vodafone to evaluate how mobile technology can assist a pilot to run a drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) to increase home shipments to more places.The job supports Vodafones wider research into how the mobile network can support interaction in between several commercial drones to enable them to fly safely.
This is specifically substantial as the number of business drones in Europe is predicted to almost double to 395,000 by 2030, driven by advancements in drone innovation and increasing customer need for rapid home delivery.Mobile Coverage Maps for DronesDuring the proof-of-concept test with Manna, Vodafone used the 4G network to collect telemetry information from the drone to track its flight.
Vodafones network APIs were utilized by the business to securely access aerial mobile coverage maps, ensuring a safe and connected flight path for the drone at Mannas test center in Moorock, Ireland.Alan Hicks, CTO of Manna Drone Delivery, stated: Combining Mannas drone shipment proficiency with Vodafones technology enables us to track and identify drones through the mobile network, even beyond visual view.
This enhances our protected systems for last mile delivery.Vodafone has experience in utilizing its network to enhance drone security and operational performance.
It has carried out numerous trials, including the worlds first air traffic control drone tracking and safety system, and a test to show how mobile innovation can be utilized to avoid drones from interfering with high-security areas.Safer Skies Across EuropeAnthony Chen, Project Lead at Vodafone Business, included: Our pan-European mobile network permits drones to securely fly longer ranges beyond the controllers vision.
It can track drones for urban deliveries, health care logistics, or remote land studies throughout numerous countries.
In the future, we intend to integrate low earth orbit satellites with our terrestrial network to keep an eye on countless business drones securely, anywhere they fly.Ultimately, Vodafone intends to support a long-range air traffic management system to manage the increase in BVLOS drones and other airspace users.
This would make it possible for two-way interaction with drones using Vodafones network to restrict collisions in between multiple airspace users on a pan-European scale.Source: Vodafone