Co-founder Lucas van Oostrum formally announced Delft Aerial Robotics’s plans to execute an autonomous drone network in the Netherlands within the next year. DAR has strategically invested in start-ups that solve problems related to full autonomy for drones. Now, DAR has revealed its true objective: to deploy autonomous drone networks that are truly self-sufficient without human interaction.
DAR will begin by deploying deploy drone docking stations throughout the Delft region that will support a network of autonomous drones, in the same way that cell towers provide coverage for our phones. The docking stations will contain sensors that monitor the weather and flying conditions for drones before they begin flights, as well as drones’ diagnostics once they are in the air. They will be connected to the cloud through LTE, LORA, Satellite, or their own networks, and will be available for use by multiple users. All communication, from inspection data to operational data, will be secured and only available to the appropriate user.
DAR expects that its projects will benefit end-users across industries, providing real-time insights on crop health, construction planning, water management, nature conservation, infrastructure management, and more. Moreover, utilizing drones as a service, without needing humans to monitor or maintain them, will prove to be incredibly efficient and cost-effective for end-users.
DAR will has chosen Delft as the location of its first launch due to the support from the RoboValley ecosystem, its productive relationship with Dutch aviation authorities, the high level of innovation in the city of Delft, and its proximity to the Valkenburg test site.
Co-founder Lucas van Oostrum said: “The autonomous drone network will function similarly to satellites, in that they will provide an array of data for different users on a cost-effective and real-time basis.
We look forward to launching the first autonomous drone network as soon as possible. To do so, we’ll make use of the experience of the university and invest in technology companies that provide vital technology to reach our goal. And, we form partnerships with other drone tech companies, as we don’t want to reinvent the wheel.”
About DAR: Delft Aerial Robotics (DAR)’s mission is to enable and deploy fully autonomous drone networks. DAR manages an ecosystem of startups, researchers, and industry professionals in order to take the human completely out of the loop. It is a proud member of RoboValley, an initiative to coordinate robotics innovation between public, private, and academic entities. TU Delft is a shareholder through Delft Enterprises.
Source: Press Release