Gotonomi, a provider of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite connectivity solutions, has announced the successful completion of additional flight trials and the commencement of orders for production units of its UAV satcom terminals at the Commercial UAV Expo 2024 in Las Vegas.
This development marks a pivotal transition from pre-production flight development kits to fully type-approved commercial terminals, facilitating scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for drone operators engaged in activities such as inspection, surveillance, and delivery services.
After thorough verification testing, which included flight trials across regions including the EU, US, Canada, Australia, UK, and Brazil, Gotonomi is set to begin deliveries of CE/FCC/RCC/ISED marked units in October 2024. All available terminal variants will have received Viasat type approval, making them the first UAV terminals approved for Regional Class 4 operations. Flight development kits intended for research and development remain available for immediate delivery.
Matthew Hill, General Manager at Gotonomi, said: “Following an extensive period of testing of our flight development kits, were thrilled to move into the production phase and preparing to ship commercial product. We see the inspection and surveillance market pushing forward the need for reliable BVLOS operations and we’re delighted to offer the Velaris Inspection Bundle, in collaboration with our partners Viasat and Videosoft Global, to meet the needs of those customers.”
The ‘Inspection and Surveillance’ product bundle includes:
- Gotonomi Velaris Edge Module, featuring an integrated SOM
- Gotonomi 200-A Omni Antenna
- Videosoft’s ultra-low bandwidth video streaming software, pre-loaded on the terminal
- Videosoft software licence
- Viasat airtime
“This partnership represents a significant leap forward in UAV video capabilities. Videosoft Global’s software, combined with Gotonomi hardware, enables near real-time video streaming over satellite, opening new possibilities for operators who want to fly BVLOS and in remote areas not served by terrestrial networks,” commented Stewart McCone, CEO at Videosoft.
Developed in collaboration with TTP and Viasat, Gotonomi’s range of small form factor terminals are tailored to meet the needs of businesses operating small and medium-sized airframes in applications where remote operation is highly advantageous. These terminals connect via Viasat’s Velaris network, a dedicated UAV connectivity service.
The flagship Velaris 200 offers a fully integrated satellite communication terminal and antenna. For additional flexibility, Gotonomi provides the Velaris Module (a satellite communication module) and the Velaris Multi-link Module (a hybrid terminal combining satellite and LTE connectivity with edge computing capabilities). The Gotonomi 200-A Omni Antenna serves as a lightweight standalone option within this product suite.
The launch of production units arrives at a crucial juncture for the UAV industry. As the sector explores new applications, such as cargo transport, passenger services, crop spraying, site inspections, and search and rescue operations, the demand for reliable, always-on communication links has become essential.
“The commercial availability of Gotonomi’s production units represents a critical moment in the UAV industry. By combining Gotonomi’s innovative hardware with Viasat’s Velaris service, we’re providing operators with unparalleled connectivity and reliability. This launch will accelerate the adoption of BVLOS operations in various sectors, from remote inspections to emergency response,” said Anthony Spouncer, Senior Director of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Viasat.
Gotonomi’s partner TTP is also advancing its work on Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology, further enhancing the safety and operational capabilities of UAVs.
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