InDro Robotics drives new future with Mobile Command Centre

InDro Robotics drives new future with Mobile Command Centre

Apr 22, 2021 | Drone News, Featured

The Area X.O Mobile Command Centre (MCC) is a one-of-a-kind command vehicle that was
originally established by InDro Robotics.

The project was developed through a unique collaboration between InDro Robotics, Invest
Ottawa and other Ottawa based industry partners such as Nokia, Kongsberg GeoSpatial, SmartCone Technologies, Inc., and Microsoft.

The fully equipped 5G mobile command vehicle features remotely piloted aircraft systems
(RPAS). The vehicle is also capable of deploying a secure 5G network at any time, and
anywhere. In creating this system, InDro Robotics worked closely with first responders in
ensuring the vehicle is built to support emergency workers and rural innovation by allowing
small and medium-sized enterprises to ratify more solutions in their area.
The objective of the vehicle was to create a mobile technology that can be deployed rapidly for
emergency first response, search and rescue, command and control, and smart mining and
smart agriculture.

“One vehicle that can pull together a joint command of emergency support and offer a more in-
depth situational awareness can really assist in many unexpected natural disasters,” said Philip
Reece, President and CEO of InDro Robotics.

Vehicle

The base frame of the MCC is a Mercedes Sprinter 2500. The interior of the command vehicle features a workspace for the system operators, including seating and space for monitors, which was provided by Invest Ottawa. The system uses high-performance and reliable private wireless connectivity between the vehicle and Nokia’s drones to create situational awareness of critical situations happening in close proximity.

Unmanned Ground and Aerial Vehicles
The MCC allows for drones to be automatically deployed on-site. The pilot and payload operators; stationed within the van control multiple RPAS flights, while transmitting live video and data back to the Pilots, MCC and offsite command centres. The van’s multiple screens allow for full coordination of the drone, even in the most complex areas. The van’s Kongsberg system works by scanning the skies for other aircraft, while Smartcones technology secures the ground environment.

Advanced Sensor Analytics Capability
Advanced sensors from SmartCone Technologies, Inc. were installed to increase situational awareness, including ultra-wideband positioning system, asset tracking, bird’s eye surveillance, and more. Kongsberg Geospatial IRIS UxS system uses a sequence of sensor and software technology that gives operators a real-time picture of their operational area when piloting one or more unmanned vehicles beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS). A Microsoft AzureStack Edge system is also deployed to enable edge analytics across secured data from RPAS footage and sensors in disconnected areas. This will enable first responders on the ground and inform central headquarters with full awareness of the situation.

 

LTE and 5G Radio Capabilities

The Area X.O MCC is equipped with private LTE and 5G radio systems that are enabled to
instantly deploy communication bubbles around the area of the vehicle. The 5G can be used to help first responders become more efficient in gaining situational awareness with the vehicle’s range of environmental sensors. 5G can also be deployed to provide last-time connectivity in rural areas, bringing high-speed broadband to everyone in the area.

InDro Robotics played an instrumental role in the creation of the MCC by contributing novel
RPAS technology and expertise to the fully equipped van. Once the vehicle was completed,
InDro Robotics expanded to Ottawa to capitalize on more opportunities at Area X.O., launched
by Invest Ottawa, and looked to bring more capabilities to innovators, firms, and communities
across Ontario.
Nokia and Area X.O will tour the MCC across Canada to demonstrate how the vehicle can be
used for aiding in unsafe conditions and defending public safety. Public safety organization who
are interested in demonstrating the MCC can contact InDro Robotics here.
“We were really impressed with how the partners’ technology all fit so well together to produce
an end result that has not been seen before in a mobile command unit,” said Reece.

Regulations

Regulations

Apr 6, 2021 | Drone News, Featured

Canada’s regulatory framework is shifting to support the safe integration of drones into ‘shared national airspace.’ As more and more industries, government agencies, educators, and the public launch drones of all sizes into national airspace, new legislations and significant coordination is needed to mitigate risks for manned aviators. Manned aviation includes commercial airlines, private pilots, crop dusting crews, and emergency response teams using water bombers for firefighting and helicopters deployed for search and rescue missions. 

InDro Robotics will post content here educate the public about the current and up and coming Canadian Aviation Regulations that impacts the industry. Drones are also commonly referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) or Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS). Legislators are being forced to update aviation regulations to incorporate the adoption of these new technologies. InDro Robotics will keep you informed about aviation authorities and policy makers from municipal, regional, national and international agencies who are working to implement, promote and then enforce a safe – yet supportive –  regulatory framework to required for drone industry growth. 

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Regulations

Transport Canada defines the aviation regulations that support the safe use of drones and other remotely-piloted vehicles. They work with other authorities (NAV Canada, airport associations, etc.) to guide the safe integration of drones into Canadian airspaces. InDro Robotics works as a technical advisor to Transport Canada and other government agencies by providing policy input and training various Transport Canada Inspectors on the use and operation of drones.

 
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Transport Canada Minister Honourable Marc Garneau announced much-awaited new regulations today in Ottawa for the rapidly-growing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) industry. Highlights include a mandatory drone registration system and knowledge tests that all pilots will have to take to earn a permit/certificates to fly drones in the ‘small RPAS’ weight category (between 250g and 25 kg). Learn more about the regulations announced in Canada Gazette II, the Transport Canada testing portal and details of the Basic Operations and the Advance Operations categories through our InDro response and press release, here.

 
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December 2018 – InDro Robotics was one of only four companies approved by Transport Canada in 2018 to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Trials. InDro hosted members of Transport Canada’s UAS Task Force at our R&D office on Salt Spring Island for a full week. We collaborated with six other Canadian companies to demonstrate various airframes, payloads, safety accessories, and software systems. The results provided key insights to shape future regulations that will enable long-distance flights. A public report will be released in Q1 2019.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for BC Agricultural Applications

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for BC Agricultural Applications

Apr 6, 2021 | Drone News

A Growing Forward 2 Program

Use of Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) in agriculture has seen limited adoption by BC farmers and UAV service providers. Therefore, the BC Ministry of Agriculture (AGRI) is looking to assess viability and utility of UAVs and communicate realistic and current high value opportunities to the BC agriculture sector while scoping future use cases and technology uptake.

More about the GSAGF2-430 Project

This project is intended to assess the viability and utility of UAVs and communicate realistic and current high value opportunities to the BC agriculture sector while scoping future use cases. The project is intended to leverage on-site field demonstrations to engage BC agricultural producers and provide decision aids for UAV adoption. The project will synthesize and address information gaps not covered by other studies or service providers from other jurisdictions or regions, or provide linkages to relevant existing information. The project is a multi-year research, communication and case-study program with 3 phases. Phases 1 and 2 were completed in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Phase 3 is projected to be completed in 2018.