Simplex Interactive is Leading BVLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) Revolution in Israel
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עברית (Hebrew)
The vision of air transportation based on unmanned aerial vehicles seems closer than ever, hundreds of drones, helicopters, and other unmanned UAVs will bring us deliveries, secure our homes, transport resupply on emergency, spray our fields, and during the COVID-19 era will even transfer tests to laboratories without physical touch.
However, in spite of the growing demand, current solutions and regulation still require a UAV operator having a line of sight with each and every air vehicle in the array. It is clear that in order to enable operations with economic value there has to be a completely different operation method.
Simplex Interactive is hoping to change this reality through the advanced technology it has developed in recent years.
Simplex’ technology – the FlightOps drone operation systems – turns drones and “dumb” manually-operated aircraft into sophisticated robots “aware” of their mission, the dynamic and demanding airspace around them, and the obstacles in their environment, also when there is no communication with the operating station or without GPS satellite reception. Simplex’ advanced technology does not only provide a response to a particular drone but can also operate a fleet of drones and other aircraft, managed by a single operator. The technology decreases the extent of human resources required for the massive operation of several aircraft, considerably increasing security and the ability to carry out complex missions that can not be executed by human operators.
Following successful testing, Simplex has become the first company in Israel to receive an airworthy certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel for experimental use, to fly a four-drone fleet with a single operator, without requiring line of sight between the pilot and the aircraft, namely a BVLOS flight.
It is, as said, a first of its kind permission in Israel which is also considered a world breakthrough.
The company is operating in the defense field, developing in collaboration with IAI an advanced technological solution for terrain dominance through drones and unmanned helicopters that can identify and track movements, and alert.
Recently, the company has won a bid by Ayalon Highway company which was published in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, inviting companies to demonstrate their capabilities in operating drones for medical delivery in urban environments. Simplex’ delivery solution enables a fully-autonomous aerial delivery via drones of various weights and ranges.
The delivery system offered by Simplex is based on drones with various capabilities, providing deliveries from short ranges of several kilometers to long ranges of dozens of kilometers, an advanced control system managing airspace and safety, a launching application, and a take-off and charging station.
Founded in 2004, Simplex has since developed and applied command, control and mission management solutions for fleets of autonomous aircraft in the delivery, defense, agriculture, and security fields. Simplex’s experienced management team encompasses former Israeli Air Force and defense industries figures, including the company’s Chairman, Col. (res.) Ofer Haruvi, former Head of the IAF UAV Department, the CTO, Ofer Porat, a combat helicopter pilot and former system developer at the IAF, and the CEO, Shay Levy, who brings to the table experience in the development of unmanned and robotic systems.
