Meet the Technology that will Improve Airspace Safety

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Products and services will reach people and places faster, without risking safety, thanks to a new drone technology. An automated and streamlined approvals system will allow services to be quickly scaled up in times of demand, such as emergencies and pandemics when communities need to be reached quickly.

Airservices Australia and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) will collaborate in the development of new technologies and systems to give drone operators automatic and near real-time flight approvals. The technology will ensure that drone flights are safely, securely and efficiently integrated into the country’s national airspace system.

This new drone management technology will eventually replace the current manual process, with the technology to be initially introduced at Australia’s major airports where the skies are busiest.

Applications could include mining, emergency services and farming, and more.

QUT researcher Dr Aaron McFadyen says developing a tool that streamlines the approval system will boost the safe use of drones in Queensland and across Australia.

“Emergencies, natural disasters and pandemics can cut people off from essential goods and services such as vital medication. Drones can carry these critical supplies, reach more people, up to 50 percent faster and with less human interaction,” he said, according to suasnews.com.

“During a pandemic, disasters or non-pandemic environments, drone services could be scaled up to reach over 80 percent of our population.”

The collaboration will be in full swing from November this year.