DroneUp Introduces AI-based Air Traffic Control System

The partnership with Iris Automation will create a cell tower-like network.

Monday, May 08, 2023 at 02:04 PM ET

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A partnership with Iris Automation could expand the capabilities of DroneUp operators —and the system overall. [Credit: DroneUp]

Key Takeaways:

DroneUp, Walmart's drone delivery partner, is collaborating with Iris Automation to develop an air traffic control system for unmanned aircraft.
This partnership aims to enable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights by deploying Iris's AI-powered Casia G ground-based detect-and-alert system across DroneUp's network.
The ability to conduct BVLOS flights is crucial for DroneUp to expand its current limited 1.5-mile delivery radius, scale operations economically, and significantly increase Walmart's drone delivery reach to millions more customers.

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DroneUp, the company powering drone deliveries for Walmart, on Friday announced a partnership with aviation safety firm Iris Automation to build what is essentially an air traffic control system for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

The agreement could open up Walmart and DroneUp’s service, which is arguably the largest commercial drone delivery operation in the U.S., to flights beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the operator—something that has eluded the companies thus far.