Safer, Faster, Cheaper, and More Secure Drone Operations

– Yes, here we, as experts in drone operations, have tested the AirDodge tools, says Rune Schlanbusch, Chief Researcher at NORCE.

Increased civilian drone use leads to increased risk of collisions. Together with AirDodge, we are addressing this. AirDodge, a Norwegian startup, is developing a web- and app-based solution that provides U-space services. In collaboration with NORCE, the system is now being tested in a defined area in Lommedalen in Bærum.

NORCE is helping AirDodge establish U-space initiatives across Norway. Our collaboration includes, among other things:

• Work on applications to the Civil Aviation Authority for airspace
• Research and development related to operations in U-space
• Development of our operational concept and testing of software for further improvement

The airspace is becoming crowded with drones. This is a challenge faced by both Norwegian and international aviation authorities, but NORCE is now helping the Norwegian startup AirDodge, testing a solution that can provide control of the airspace and deliver automated oversight. The research is funded through contributions from AirDodge and support from FORREGION Oslo.

Schlanbusch explains:

– The fact that Norway’s first U-space flights have now been carried out means that this is the first time such a test area has been established in Norway. It has now been tested multiple times by us, as we have operated using the U-space software from AirDodge.

What is U-space?

– U-Space is a system for automated airspace coordination. Airspace coordination is an air traffic service for unmanned aviation. It is intended to make drone operations safe and simple, even as volumes increase or when complex operations as flying without seeing the objects. As more and more drones take to the air, U-space will be important—a system for automating airspace coordination to coordinate manned and unmanned aviation, so that airspace can be shared safely and efficiently, says Schlanbusch.

What are automatic drone operations in U-space?

– U-space is “unmanned space,” i.e. airspace for unmanned aircraft. The term describes the software that manages and allocates access to this airspace—like a control tower service without physical towers, where everything is handled through software. Automation makes it possible to handle large volumes efficiently—the solution is scalable, unlike traditional tower services, which rely heavily on human involvement and scale poorly due to the limits of how much information humans can process in real time.

What is a Drone Traffic Service Provider?

– It is essentially the same concept—a traffic service for drone traffic.

– In the long term, it is expected that manned aviation will also need to change how it operates as demand for airspace increases, moving toward more automated services. It makes sense to test this type of technology with drones first, as the associated risk is lower.

– The “end game” is when these two services can be combined into a unified solution that handles both types of traffic, eliminating the need for physical separation between unmanned and manned aviation.

– The short term focus for AirDodge is to roll out more U-Space initiatives across Norway. The more airspaces we have, the faster we can develop our concept of operations and software to a scalable level. The goal is to establish scalable drone operations with these U-Space sandboxes and then convert these sandboxes into permanent U-Spaces. At the same time, we are developing our software to a point where it can be certified by Luftfartstilsynet, Umar Chagtahi from AirDodge explains.

What are you fixing?

– U-Space fixes the problem of how drone operations are unable to scale efficiently and safely today. Currently, if you wish to fly beyond visual line of sight with a drone, it can take anywhere from 14 hours to 3 months to get that permit.

– If you are a drone operator who relies on commercial flights for revenue, then such delays are really detrimental to your economy. It also addresses the problems of critical infrastructure inspections, for example, if a tree falls on a power line during a storm, then the operator needs to wait a minimum of 14 hours to get approval to conduct a long-distance inspection flight to solve the problem.

– With U-Space, all permits are automated, and flight authorisations are given within seconds by our software. Along with this, U-Space ensures the airspace is shared between all drones and manned air traffic in a safe and scalable way. All drones and air traffic in this airspace will be visible via the software as U-Space law states that drone and aircraft positions need to be broadcast live at all times.

What will your software offer that the market currently does not?

– So, as mentioned, the current market does not allow for fast and automated permits. If you need to fly a long-distance flight as a drone operator, you need to file lengthy permits and coordinate with all airspace users to make sure you get the approval to fly safely. The current market also does not require operators to broadcast their drone positions live on any platform; this also creates a problem with situational awareness when it comes to collisions with drones and other manned air traffic. At the same time, the world has a big problem with rogue drones today, and in U-Space, all drones have to broadcast their position, so it will be easy to see who is broadcasting vs the drones that are not. Due to this, our airspaces in the future will have sensors that pick up radio frequencies that drones or their controllers usually emit.

– Also, currently, there is no live interaction between drone operators and first responder helicopters. If you are flying your drone in uncontrolled airspace, you will not get any information about police or ambulance helicopters. The AirDodge software allows for live interaction in case of an emergency and is an effective method of communicating with all such drone pilots in the airspace and clearing the airspace in such a situation.

What are we in NORCE helping you with?

– NORCE is helping with establishing U-Space initiatives all over Norway. Our collaboration covers, working on applications to the CAA for airspaces and also working together on research and development when it comes to operating in U-Space. We are working with NORCE to develop our concept of operations in U-Space and also get feedback on our software to develop it further.

Why did you need our expertise?

– NORCE has excellent depth in commercial drone activity in terms of operational experience and also market analytics. They are also a good partner for establishing an airspace because the support of a large R&D company always adds value and momentum to such applications.