While the “superhighway for drones” may seem like something out of science fiction, the UK has been given the green light to develop it.
The 165-mile (265 km) superhighway network, dubbed Project Skyway, received the go-ahead from the government today.
It will involve installing a series of ground-based sensors that will safely guide connected drones through “corridors” to their destination.
The network will connect airspace over Reading, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Coventry and Rugby.
The plans were proposed by a consortium led by software provider Altitude Angel along with BT.
The group hopes the superhighway will “unleash the enormous potential of drones.”
It remains unclear how much the network would cost if approved.
A consortium led by software provider Altitude Angel has received the green light for a 165-mile superhighway network dubbed Project Skyway, linking airspace over cities including Reading, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Coventry and Rugby.
To cover 165 miles of superhighway, the Altitude Angel will need 29 Arrow Towers, technology that allows it to fly safely and reliably in unrestricted airspace.
Currently, drones cannot fly without a human pilot, except under special circumstances.
Skyway is designed to allow manufacturers to connect the guidance and communications systems of their unmanned drones into a “virtual superhighway”.
Once connected, the system will take control and safely guide the drones along the “corridors” to their destination using only software integration.
This is possible because it uses powerful ground sensors to provide guidance, so the drones themselves don’t need them on board and increase their payload.
Altitude Angel will install 29 “switch towers” – a technology that allows you to fly safely and reliably in unrestricted airspace.
Existing infrastructure, such as telephone masts, will be used where possible, a spokesperson told MailOnline.
Richard Parker, CEO and Founder of Altitude Angel, said: “The capabilities we are deploying and experiencing with Skyway have the potential to revolutionize the way we transport goods and travel in a way that hasn’t happened since the advent of railroads in the 18th century: The Last” Transportation Revolution “.
“The transformative Arrow technology we are building here is the foundation of Skyway and the only scalable, viable mechanism to start integrating drones into our daily lives safely and fairly, ensuring that the airspace can stay open and manned and unmanned aircraft from any parties can coexist peacefully.
“Skyway not only gives us the opportunity to ‘improve’ access to sustainable transport across the UK, but we can capitalize on it first and export it around the world.”
The drone superhighway will use Altitude Angel detection and avoidance (DAA) technology to prevent collisions between aircraft.
This technology was developed back in 2020 and tested in a five-mile flight corridor south of Reading.
Skyway is designed to allow manufacturers to connect the guidance and communications systems of their unmanned drones into a “virtual superhighway”. Once connected via the software, the system will take control and safely guide the drones through the “corridors” to their destination.
The drone superhighway will use detection and avoidance (DAA) technology to prevent collisions between aircraft. It gives automatic instructions to unmanned drones to keep them away from others or change their trajectory if they are in danger.
It gives automatic instructions to unmanned drones to keep them away from others or change their trajectory if they are in danger.
According to Altitude Angel, DAA only requires basic technical integration and does not require special equipment on board the drone, which means it can be safely used by a variety of companies.
The first superhighway will be built between the Midlands and the South East, but Altitude Angel says it will make available the technology to allow other cities around the world to build their own drone superhighways.
This may include extension to Southampton on the south coast and Ipswich on the east coast.
The government officially announced the project today at the Farnborough Air Show.
BT Director of Drones Dave Pankhurst said: “The social and economic potential of drones is enormous and requires close collaboration with industry to unlock these opportunities to their full potential in a safe and responsible manner.”
“It’s an exciting time to be part of such a powerful consortium.”
HOW CLOSER IS THE MATCH BETWEEN AIRCRAFT AND DRONES?
Near miss is a general term used to describe collisions between various airborne vehicles.
Operated by Airprox, no specific distance is given, instead it is measured by the opinion of the pilot, air traffic controller and drone operator.
Earlier this year, a “near miss” was filed between a police drone and two fighter jets flying at 520 mph.
Operated by Airprox, no specific distance is given, instead it is measured by the opinion of the pilot, air traffic controller and drone operator.
A Devon and Cornish officer was certain that a collision would occur when a military aircraft came into view.
The Airprox board said the 13-pound device was flying at about 300 feet when the pilot heard a fast jet approaching.
The F-15 pilot, who was flying at 500 feet, could not see the drone, but the drone pilot said the risk of collision was “high.”
