September 2019, Indro Robotics leads successful delivery of simulated blood products to Montreal Gen

September 2019, Indro Robotics leads successful delivery of simulated blood products to Montreal Gen

Apr 23, 2021 | Featured, InDro News

September 2019, Indro Robotics leads successful delivery of simulated blood products to Montreal General Hospital

In a groundbreaking trial, InDro Robotics, a global leader in drone technology, tested their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights in downtown Montreal on Tuesday, September 24, 2019.  The first experiment of its kind in Canada.

 

The purpose of this experiment was to deliver medical aid via drones in a simulated emergency to the rooftop of the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Working alongside the Indro Robotics team was Dr. Valérie Homier, emergency physician at the MUHC, and other collaborators in trialing this experiment.

The County of Renfrew Paramedic Service in Ontario also participated in this study. The County previously worked with Indro Robotics in becoming the first responder paramedic service in Canada with the most experience using UAVs.

Throughout its existence, InDro Robotics has accumulated thousands of flight hours and has collaborated with leading bodies such as Transport Canada, Canadian Space Agency, and NASA. The firm works to develop new equipment and technologies which will expand the uses for UAVs in different areas for different purposes.

 

“We were selected because the area contained complex air space, which means there’s helicopters and aircraft flying around there. They needed a real tried and tested operator, which was us,” said Philip Reece, President and CEO of InDro Robotics Inc.

 

“[The experiment] required a lot of complexity and a lot of collaboration with people who don’t usually work together. We had the experience [of working with Indro Robotics] from a prior research project, so that really created a climate of safety and confidence in the team because we know them, and we know how they operate,” said Dr. Valérie Homier of MUHC.

InDro Robotics moves to Area X.O – Invest Ottawa’s high-tech facility

InDro Robotics moves to Area X.O – Invest Ottawa’s high-tech facility

Apr 22, 2021 | Featured, InDro News

On March 1st, 2021, InDro Robotics moved into Area X.O, a new facility in Ottawa, Ontario, operated by Invest Ottawa.

This is now the fourth operation facility where the InDro Robotics team conducts studies to develop new equipment and technologies, all of which will expand the uses for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). InDro Robotics also operates out of two facilities in Victoria and Salt Spring, British Columbia, and one facility in Arnprior, Ontario. Their headquarters is located in Vancouver, B.C.

“InDro Robotics has had a long, operational presence in Ottawa and has worked with many of the amazing technology companies that are based there. When the opportunity came to take lab space at Area X.O and become part of the Drone and Robot testing grounds, we jumped at the chance,” said Philip Reece, president and CEO of InDro Robotics. “We have already supplemented our team with several very talented engineers, and I am sure we will be adding more in the near future,” 

The move to this new facility in Ottawa has also been strategic for Area X.O. InDro Robotics holds a strong partnership with Area X.O, and has already collaborated to date on many significant projects with the Ottawa-based facility.. 

Area X.O is the futureplex of innovation and collaboration in Canada’s Capital that enables and accelerates the safe and secure development, testing, and application of next-generation technologies. Combining diverse expertise with Ottawa’s telecom and cybersecurity strengths, Area X.O helps local, national, and global startups, SMEs, multinationals, and governments address grand challenges and opportunities.

The Ottawa facility is also home to companies such as Kongsberg Geospacial, Nokia, 4D Robotics, Provectus Robotics Solutions (PRS) and other international robotics organizations. The facility operates one of the most advanced communication test infrastructures in the world, with numerous GPS systems, 4G/LTE, WiFi, TV white Space, and authentic pre-commercial 5G (including mmWave) from Nokia and Ericsson and satellite communication systems.

Area X.o

Among a number of impressive features, the Area X.O facility includes the largest secure test facility for CAVs in the country, and the Area X.O 5G Mobile Command Centre, a one-of-a-kind vehicle that was originally established by a collaborative group of companies including InDro Robotics was developed through a unique integration with Invest Ottawa.

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.