The UK government has approved a plan to build a 265km superhighway network to safely deliver goods via drones.
Sensors on the road help drones fly safely. (Photo: Andy Dean)
The Skyway network will connect airspace above several UK cities including Reading, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Coventry, and Rugby. This dedicated drone superhighway will be equipped with numerous ground sensors to guide connected drones safely to their destinations. The plan was proposed by a coalition that includes the software provider Altitude Angel, which hopes the superhighway will unlock the enormous potential of unmanned aerial vehicles. The construction costs have not been disclosed, but authorities aim to have Skyway operational by June 2024. The UK government announced the project on July 18 at the Farnborough Airshow, according to Mail.
Currently, drones cannot fly without a pilot in control, except in specific situations. Skyway will allow manufacturers to connect the navigation and communication systems of drones to a “virtual” superhighway. Then, using integrated software, the system will guide the drones to their destinations. Thanks to powerful ground sensors, drones will not need onboard sensors, allowing for increased payload capacity.
Altitude Angel will install 29 Arrow towers, a technology that ensures safe flights in unrestricted airspace. “The Arrow technology we are developing is the foundation of Skyway, facilitating the integration of drones into everyday life, ensuring that airspace remains open, and that manned and unmanned aircraft can coexist from any direction,” said Richard Parker, CEO and founder of Altitude Angel.
Skyway will utilize Altitude Angel’s Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology to prevent collisions between flying vehicles. This technology was developed in 2020 and tested on an 8 km flight corridor south of Reading. DAA provides automatic guidance for unmanned drones to steer clear of or change their flight paths if a collision risk is detected. According to Altitude Angel, DAA does not require specialized hardware on drones and can be easily applied across various industries. The first superhighway will connect central and southeastern England but could be developed in many towns and cities worldwide.
