Heron AirBridge, known for its comprehensive unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) solutions, has entered into a proof of concept (PoC) agreement with globally acclaimed travel and  transport technology provider SITA.

The objective is to collaborate on urban air mobility (UAM) vertiport solutions for Singaporean airspace by integrating Heron AirBridge’s UTM system with SITA’s vertiport solutions.

This strategic agreement is part of an ongoing effort to develop an end-to-end framework of workflows and processes for the safe and efficient operation of advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles within urban environments. The initiative focuses on connecting Heron AirBridge’s advanced and flexible UTM system to SITA’s new Vertiport Management System (VMS) and building a first minimum viable product (MVP) that will enable dynamic real-time data exchanges between the vertiport system, the eVTOL operators and the UTM from the flight scheduling phase to the time of the actual flight operation.

Ryan Lee, CEO and cofounder of Heron AirBridge, said: “SITA is a world leader of air transport communication and information technology. We are excited and proud to be selected as their go-to partner for this opportunity. This partnership symbolises the close cooperation needed between companies from different regions to work together to develop best-in-class services that will benefit the emerging advanced air mobility industry globally.”

The partnership will leverage both parties’ expertise, capabilities, and extensive network. SITA is already collaborating with several UAM and vertiport operators. The new alliance will fully complement existing partnerships to create a scalable and robust model that connects eVTOLs, vertiports and UTM systems as one integrated eco-system.

“UAM represents an exciting evolution of the air transport industry and is currently experiencing rapid innovation and growth. As a collaborative innovator in the air transport industry, we’re uniquely positioned to support Heron AirBridge take the next steps in delivering operational excellence via the latest technologies,” Sumesh Patel, President Asia Pacific of SITA, added, “We’re excited to enrich and complement our overall vertiport infrastructure. With this latest strategic agreement, we are well positioned to deploy integrated land and airside solutions for any company or airport looking to build a vertiport.”

The SITA collaboration comes on the heels of Heron AirBridge’s accreditation by renowned audit and certification institution TÜV SÜD. The UTM technology specialist has recently received ISO 27001 certification for its cybersecurity services and drone mission and traffic management solutions, achieving the world’s most notable standard for information security management. The accreditation highlights the firm’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure digital aviation environment to support its growing partner base. It ensures that the Heron AirBridge platform meets rigorous security requirements, and that effective policies and controls are in place to minimize the risks of cyber-attacks.

Original article: Heron AirBridge and SITA initiate proof of concept to advance urban air mobility for Singaporean airspace

Author: Kanchan Nath

First published on Travel Daily Media

Blockchain and drones: How will we control the new highways of the skies above us as small aircraft fill the the space above our cities?

Blockchain is a new industry. And yet, there are systems being conceived around it that are even newer. And this concept is one of them. For those of us with kids, we are being told to prepare them for jobs that don’t exist yet. So read on.

It has been predicted that within a couple of years, drones will be above us all the time. They will operate in a sub-layer of the sky, below commercial flight paths and military jets. But their flight paths will need to be coordinated. This is so they don’t smash into each other while delivering cargo, ferrying people, and inspecting things like wind turbines and bridges. No one needs to be rained on by smashing drones, thanks.

A sub-layer of air traffic control has been conceived to address this. It will work using both distributed ledger tech (DLT), blockchain, and automation. Research around this new sub-layer in the aviation industry is already well underway. The idea is to improve safety, cybersecurity and interoperability.

Cranfield researchers are part of this project. They say the system will integrate an ecosystem of crewed and uncrewed aircraft in the UK’s skies.

Unmanned Drones

These researchers say that uncrewed aerial vehicles are already bringing benefits to humans. Examples given are solving medical logistical problems in isolated areas, and inspecting difficult-to-reach infrastructure, like high masts.

The researchers say that a new air traffic management system will “open up a new age of commercial opportunities for the aviation sector, as well as drone-enhanced public services: urban air taxis, cargo and delivery services, security operations, healthcare support and environmental monitoring.”

According to PWC and UKRI, a new industry around uncrewed and autonomous aviation will be worth an estimated £42bn to the UK economy by 2030. This is thanks to new jobs, cost savings, and productivity gains. Once this new industry is established, a hybrid airspace is predicted to be in place from around 2024.

Blockchain – Increasing Transparency and Trust

This future – of an uncrewed aircraft using blockchain-style technology to solve logistical problems – is being worked on by a collaboration of 13 consortium partners, including Cranfield, Oxford University, Heathrow Airport, IAG, NATS, and SITA. Also in the mix are some UK-based startups.

As drones fly over us, the system will allow thousands of independent computers to share the history of data – of who did what and when. Says Cranfield, “The system includes ‘smart contracts’, controls over user actions backed up by coded security. Artificial Intelligence will enhance cybersecurity measures for the DLTs, allowing for constant real-time data collection, processing and authorization during operations.”

Automation and autonomy will unlock huge benefits

Dr Dimitrios Panagiotakopoulos is a Senior Lecturer in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management at Cranfield. “Human operators in traditional ATM are already facing high workloads and a deluge of data from different information systems, flight planning, radar and weather. The current approach isn’t scalable to meet the needs of a more complex and demanding hybrid airspace of crewed and uncrewed traffic. To access the huge potential benefits of a new kind of airspace there has to be more automation and autonomy – but that can only happen with watertight systems and a shared sense of trust.”

Testing scenarios in urban environments 

So far, we have established that most people who live in cities can expect to see a variety of drones in the airspace above them, and soon. These drones will be taking people to hospitals, putting out fires, or delivering parcels.

According to Urban Air Mobility (UAM), “Just like the air traffic management system for general aircraft, [this] will ensure that drone operations are carried out safely and efficiently. The system is more automated than current air traffic control, with less human interaction and the capacity to handle more flights simultaneously.”

Gokhan Inalhan is the Professor of Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence at Cranfield. “This is a very exciting project and one that will pave the way for highways in the skies, removing traffic and congestion and changing the way we move around.”

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The UK government has announced that it has given the greenlight to ‘Project Skyway’, a plan to create a ‘drone superhighway’ between the Midlands and the Southeast.

SAFIR-Med, a project that is part of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, recently received authorization to perform a drone flight beyond visual line of sight over a populated area in Belgium.