World's first collaboration by multiple UTM
leaders aims to enable AAMs to take off around the
globe
TOKYO, April 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Drone Corporation, a
leading drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology provider
headquartered in Japan, has
announced the launch of joint development with its Group companies
Unifly NV ("Unifly") and Aloft Technologies Inc. ("Aloft") focused
on UAS Traffic Management (UTM) (1) for AAMs targeting global
markets. Terra Drone has been making
strides in its pioneering UTM business via strategic investments in
Unifly, a leading UTM technology provider based in Belgium, and Aloft, which has the top UTM
market share in the U.S. This collaboration marks the world's
first-ever (2) joint UTM development for AAMs by multiple companies
with extensive track records in UTM implementation and operation.
The three companies made the announcement at the prominent uncrewed
system and robotics expo XPONENTIAL 2024 in San Diego.
Terra Drone, Unifly, and Aloft
are embarking on this joint UTM development to seize the
opportunities presented by the rapid global progress in electric
vertical take-off and landing aircrafts (eVTOLs), which are poised
to revolutionize transportation. According to research by Morgan
Stanley, the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market is expected to grow to
$1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050 (3). In the meanwhile, eVTOLs
have been capturing the public's imagination worldwide through test
flights and prototype showcases.
The three companies are uniquely positioned for joint UTM
collaboration given their decade of experience in UTM development
since the dawn of the modern drone industry. Terra Drone is the world's second-largest drone
solution provider (4). Unifly has a world-class track record in UTM
implementation at the national level in countries such as
Canada and Germany. Aloft has an over 84% share of the
UTM market in the U.S. (5), considered the world's largest market
for drones and eVTOLs.
The companies proudly announce initiatives aimed at enhancing
their existing UTM platforms, in anticipation of the upcoming surge
in eVTOL aircraft and drone activities. The shared vision for the
UTM platform is to enable safe and efficient flight operations for
eVTOLs and drones in the foreseeable future. The platforms are
designed with a strong emphasis on automation, currently boasting
advanced planning functionalities and sophisticated NOTAM (6)
parsing capabilities, underscoring our commitment to supporting
AAM.
Recognizing the evolving needs of the AAM industry, they are
dedicated to further extending their platform by incorporating
additional functions vital for this sector. These enhancements,
designed with automation at their core, will not only streamline
operational efficiencies but also pave the way for the integration
of their increasingly automated and sophisticated UTM technology
into the design and operational framework of AAMs. Through these
efforts, they aim to set new standards in UTM and to facilitate the
seamless integration of eVTOLs and drones into the national
airspace, bolstering the potential for the AAM industry.
In pursuit of this vision, Terra
Drone, Unifly, and Aloft are actively seeking collaboration
with a broad array of partners. This includes eVTOL manufacturers,
eVTOL operators, vertiport (7) operators, aviation authorities, air
navigation service providers (ANSPs), urban planners to seamlessly
integrate AAM into city infrastructures, and educational
institutions for research and development.
Through this groundbreaking initiative, the three companies aim
to build a global UTM infrastructure that kickstarts the AAM
industry worldwide. By forging strategic partnerships across these
diverse sectors, they seek to create a cohesive ecosystem that not
only supports the growth of AAM but also addresses the broader
challenges of urban mobility, sustainability, and air traffic
safety.
Notes to
Editor:
|
1. UAS Traffic
Management (UTM): Serves as a platform for the safe, efficient
operation of multiple unmanned aircraft flying in the same
airspace.
|
2. According to Terra
Drone's research.
|
3. Research by Morgan
Stanley in a report titled "eVTOL/Urban Air Mobility TAM Update: A
Slow Take-Off, But Sky's the Limit" [Link:
https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-busot-group/documents/field/b/bu/busot-group/Electric%20Vehicles.pdf]
|
4. According to the
"Drone Service Providers Ranking 2023" by Drone Industry Insights
[Link: https://droneii.com/top-drone-service-companies
-in-2023]
|
5. Calculated based on
an FAA low altitude authorization and notification capability
(LAANC) report and Aloft user data. See "Aloft Launches New Fleet
& UTM Capabilities, Surpassing 84% of LAANC Airspace
Authorizations In September" [Link: https://
www.aloft.ai/blog/aloft-launches-new-fleet-utm-capabilities-surpassing-84-of-laanc-airspace-authorizations-in-september/]
|
6. NOTAM: A notice
distributed by means of telecommunication containing information
concerning the establishment, condition or change in any
aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely
knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight
operations. ICAO Annex 11, "Air Traffic Services" [Link:
https://www.pilot18.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Pilot18.com-ICAO-Annex-11-Air-Traffic-Services.pdf]
|
7. Vertiports:
Dedicated areas used for the arrival, departure, and ground
movement of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft
|
About Unifly
Unifly is a leading aviation tech company dedicated to enhancing
the safety and efficiency of autonomous aviation with cutting-edge
technology. The Unifly platform acts as a crucial bridge within the
UAS ecosystem, enabling the safe and secure integration of
next-generation aircraft into the airspace. By digitizing and
automating traffic management and integrating seamlessly with
drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Unifly addresses the
exponential growth in air traffic expected in the coming decades.
The company has a proven track record of implementing more than ten
commercial UTM deployments, establishing it as a world leader in
this industry.
For more information, please visit the website at Unifly.aero or
contact us at
press@unifly.aero.
About Aloft
Aloft Technologies, Inc., founded in 2015,
is at the forefront of drone fleet and airspace management.
Powering over two thirds of all drone airspace authorizations in
the United States, Aloft is the #1
FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Supplier (USS). Aloft's patented
dynamic airspace platform is integral to the Aloft UTM which has,
to date, powered over 1 million airspace authorizations. Aloft's
diverse user base spans recreational, commercial, government, law
enforcement, and advanced air mobility sectors. Air Aware is the
latest edition to Aloft's UTM platform that also includes Air
Control for advanced fleet, team, and airspace management, and Geo
for public safety and other verified agencies to publish safety and
compliance information directly onto the Aloft airspace maps.
For more information, please visit https://www.aloft.ai/
About Terra Drone
Terra Drone is a pioneering drone
and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology company headquartered in
Japan. With the mission to "Unlock
X Dimensions" and create a prosperous future by "crossing" bridges,
Terra Drone integrates diverse
fields to foster innovation and find solutions. The company's
proprietary, patented technologies in drones, sensors, and software
are the foundation of its specialized solutions that range from
surveying and inspections to pesticide spraying and are
revolutionizing key industries including oil and gas, construction
and engineering, chemicals, electricity, and agriculture on a
global scale.
For more information, please visit
http://www.terra-drone.net
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SOURCE Terra Drone Corporation