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

  • OCTA launches on-demand microtransit service
    November 16, 2018
    The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has launched an on-demand microtransit programme to help better match public transit services with how commuters want to travel. The one-year pilot, called OC Flex, will allow riders to take an eight-person shuttle between two zones – one in Huntington Beach and the northern city of Westminster and the other in three cities: Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. Lisa Bartlett, OCTA chairwoman, says: "We hope that this innovative alternative will h
    Read More
  • Electronic horizons for Continental Automotive
    September 7, 2014
    Continental Automotive is highlighting its participation in the ITS sector at World Congress with demonstrations of its eHorizon and M2X (motion information to X provider) communication systems.
    Read More
  • Arup partners with MaaS Global to develop services
    May 1, 2018
    Consultant Arup will assist MaaS Global by providing consultancy services related to the development and deployment of Mobility as a Service (MaaS). The collaboration intends to provide an offering that rivals car ownership across cities. MaaS Global’s mobile app, Whim, is available in Helsinki, Finland and has just made its UK debut in the city of Birmingham. The company has grand ambitions for Whim, looking to roll it out to 60 countries in the next five years. David O'Keeffe, director and digital
    Read More
  • Webinar: Automation at ITS European Congress
    June 16, 2014
    A webinar organised by Ertico-ITS Europe at 1600 on 20 June will provide an overview of the main topics on Automation discussed during the ITS European Congress, highlighting the main outcomes of different initiatives organised during the Congress. The speakers, Dr Maxime Flament of Ertico-ITS Europe and Dr Lytrivis Panagiotis of ICCS, will share their views and provide feedback on events at the Congress. They will also debate the current progress in different areas relating to successful and sustainable
    Read More

Highlighted Content