Unifly reports it has advanced two core technologies for managing high-density drone traffic in urban airspace as part of the CONDUCT 2 project. The project builds on the EUROSTARS-funded CONDUCT initiative, which delivered a next-generation UTM platform with capabilities such as real-time tracking, advanced geofencing and tactical deconfliction services, the project introduces two new technologies that strengthen Unifly’s UTM platform and support the next generation of U-space services across Europe, according to the company.
“Today’s U-space services (U1 and U2) support functions such as identification, flight planning and tracking for low-density drone operations,” said Unifly in a press release. “As autonomous drones are increasingly deployed for infrastructure inspection, emergency response and medical delivery, the number and complexity of flights near buildings, critical infrastructure and manned aircraft is expected to increase beyond the operating conditions for which these services were originally designed.
“The original CONDUCT project focused on strategic U-space services that support lower-density drone operations, CONDUCT 2 addresses the next challenge: enabling safe and efficient drone operations in increasingly complex urban environments,” said the company. This involves two main technical developments: intent-based Conflict Detection and Resolution (CD&R) – an advanced algorithm that anticipates and resolves potential conflicts based on predicted flight intent – and 4D route segmentation – an advanced algorithm that allocates flight routes into segments across longitude, latitude, altitude and time, allowing for more efficient use of the airspace.
“The technologies will be validated through operational scenarios developed in collaboration with port authorities. This will help ensure that they address the real-world challenges of managing high-density drone traffic in complex airspace,” said the company.
“The original CONDUCT project laid an important foundation for our UTM platform. With CONDUCT 2, we are expanding its capabilities to support operations in increasingly congested airspace and the continued evolution of the Unifly platform’s U-space capabilities. By combining advanced conflict detection with more dynamic airspace management, we are helping our customers prepare for increasingly complex drone operations in dense airspace,” said Charlotte Kegelaers, head of product.
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(Image: Unifly)