Automated Commercial Drone Operations Approved Over Singapore

Airobotics has received approval to operate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) over Singapore, in conjunction with the Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX), a statutory board of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore, as well as Airobotics’ local partner SJ Defence. The approval, which Airobotics claims is the first in the world to be granted for drone operation over a major metropolis, is part of Singapore’s response to protect the public’s health during the coronavirus crisis.

HTX is using Airobotics’ drone technology to support Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) efforts in policing by tracking anomalies such as congregations of people during the Circuit Breaker Period in Singapore. The technology uses real-time aerial data broadcasted by Airobotics’ automated drones to accelerate the feedback process and provide the SPF with critical situational awareness for better decision-making. To support the drone operations,Airobotics partner SJ Defence is providing logistics management, operations coordination and ground safety observers.

Airobotics’ drone platform provides governments and industrial entities with the advantages of autonomous unmanned operations, and is comprised of three parts:

Optimus – a drone with a 1kg payload capacity and 45-minute mission endurance
Airbase – a completely automated base station used by Optimus for takeoff and landing
Software – integrated dynamic platform that enables users to control and manage missions with one click

Ran Krauss, CEO and Co-Founder of Airobotics, commented: “We are proud to work with HTX to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. What started off as a vision has now become a reality. We are one step closer to making drones an everyday reality in cities.”

Cheng Wee Kiang, Director of Robotics, Automation and Unmanned Systems Centre of Expertise at HTX, said: “HTX is currently trialing the system in real operations, collecting critical operating data, for evaluating the feasibility of using this advanced technology to perform remote viewing of wide and difficult-to-access areas, in a safer and more cost efficient way. The Airobotics system could provide the additional dimension of capability to augment our frontline.”

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