Thales and Telstra link up to enable safe airspace for drones

Thales and Australian mobile network provider Telstra are working together to enable the management of low altitude airspace for autonomous flying taxis, drones and helicopters. The partnership is investigating how 4G and 5G technology and Internet of Things capabilities could enable robust navigation and monitoring of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – more commonly called drones. Chris Jenkins, chief executive of Thales Australia, says the partnership intends to help customers integrate unmanned aircra
March 4, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

596 Thales and Australian mobile network provider Telstra are working together to enable the management of low altitude airspace for autonomous flying taxis, drones and helicopters.

The partnership is investigating how 4G and 5G technology and Internet of Things capabilities could enable robust navigation and monitoring of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – more commonly called drones.

Chris Jenkins, chief executive of Thales Australia, says the partnership intends to help customers integrate unmanned aircraft into controlled airspace and help drone users perform their “missions in an orderly, safe and timely manner”.

Thales and Telstra have developed a prototype air traffic control platform called Low Altitude Airspace Management to integrate manned and unmanned traffic. The firms say it will include automated drone flight approvals and dynamic airspace management.

Australia is not the only country looking to improve the safety of airspace for drones. Last month, US space agency Nasa confirmed it is moving into the final %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external phase false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/nasa-tests-drone-traffic-management-system-in-nevada-and-texas/ false false%>of a four-year programme to prove it can safely control drones flying over urban areas.

Enforcement

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITS Australia 2017 summit announces technical tours
    August 2, 2017
    ITS Australia has announced the optional technical tours that will take place during the 2017 summit in Brisbane 27-29 September, providing delegates with behind the scene tours to Brisbane’s ITS technologies and control centres!.Tours will be held on Day 3 – Friday 29 September 2017 from 0830 to 1630, hosted by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. During Tour 1, to Brisbane’s public transport system: multi-modal ITS transport solution, takes place from 0830 to 1630, delegates will be shown r
    Read More
  • Smart Mobility World 2015
    October 9, 2015
    Smart Mobility World 2015, organised by ClickutilityTeam and Innovability, takes place in Monza, Italy, from 28-30 October 2015. It provides an opportunity to engage with experts in the machine-to-machine market, with an industry-led, market-driven conference agenda focused on the machine to machine market. Industry experts will share their expertise on trends impacting future development, alongside an exhibition of mobility solutions, applications and embedded devices.
    Read More
  • SES America webinar - integrated solar power in dynamic travel time systems
    April 23, 2015
    SES America is offering an ITS engineering webinar on 30 April at 1000 central time. The webinar focuses on a state-wide project exploring the developmental stages and lessons learned on the first phase with the changes to be implemented on the final execution. The webinar will provide information on: Building a reliable solar power system with proper specifications; essentials of solar power design for utilisation on any ITS device; site evaluation and sign design; and lessons learned - the dos and don'ts
    Read More
  • Europe’s number one leading Mobility as a Service conference says the future of transport lies in delivering change
    January 19, 2018
    First hand reports on the rapid progress being made, as well as the obstacles being faced, by Mobility as a Service projects across Europe dominate the agenda of the second “MaaS Market Concept to Delivery” conference taking place in London next month. Speakers will cover the political and regulatory implications, open data, technology and common standards, demand responsive transport and future business models. This is Europe’s number one leading MaaS event and it includes presentations from Port
    Read More

Highlighted Content