https://www.engineeringnews.co.za
Aviation|Safety|System|Systems
Aviation|Safety|System|Systems
aviation|safety|system|systems

Humans to continue to be involved in autonomous drone flights

13th May 2022

By: Donna Slater

Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

     

Font size: - +

As drone users think of new ways to deploy drones, there is a requirement to use them beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and autonomously.

However, humans are still needed to conduct behind-the-scenes activities, said software and aircraft designer Fixar drones sales manager Ronald Schultz.

Speaking at the Drones and Unmanned Aviation conference on May 12, he noted that although some may think that humans are not needed to conduct autonomous drone flights, the opposite is true, as humans are still needed to conduct activities such as flight planning, flight monitoring and intervening if something goes wrong.

Using drones in a BVLOS manner especially, can help customers decrease costs of certain tasks, improve safety and speed.

Currently, Schultz said, about 50% of global drone use has a degree of autonomy, but BVLOS operation of drones was still a “very sensitive topic” in many regions.

A major issue around BVLOS is integrating drones with unmanned air traffic management (UTM) systems.

However, he said Fixar has integrated drones with UTM systems, proving to be easier than what was first envisioned.

A UTM is a central command system that can authorise or deny drone flights, taking into account several safety and logistical factors.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd
VEGA Controls SA (Pty) Ltd

For over 60 years, VEGA has provided industry-leading products for the measurement of level, density, weight and pressure. As the inventor of the...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Flameblock
Flameblock

FlameBlock is a proudly South African company that engineers, manufactures and supplies fire intumescent and retardant products to the fire...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 10 May 2024
Magazine round up | 17 May 2024
17th May 2024
Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (10/05/2024)
10th May 2024 By: Martin Creamer

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.231 0.286s - 176pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now