Vodafone New Tracking Drone Technology

Vodafone a British multinational telecommunications company is testing a new technology to track and control drones. This new technology will let authorities to protect aircraft from accidents, terrorist attacks and stop incursions into “no-fly zone” (i.e prison, airport, hospital airspace)

This trial comes amidst growing concerns from the security services that terrorist could use drones adapted to carry small but lethal explosives to specific targets.

Vodafone is currently performing trials in Spain and Germany; the trials are tracking commercial drones too small to be picked up on radar. The new technology is comparable to the current air traffic control system.

Authorities and aviation regulators are scrambling to keep the skies safe before widespread commercial drone use is expected to become the new norm in Europe next year.

In 2016, Amazon had its first successful UK delivery by drone, keeping Amazon on the forefront to expand its “Prime Air” service.

Vodafone is working with the European Aviation safety Agency to develop regulations to ensure commercial drones fly safely across the European sky.

The system is not intended to monitor consumer drones but rather the larger classes being developed for commercial use.
A preliminary trial by Vodafone last year in Seville, Spain showed that its 4G network could be used to control a 2 kg drone with a 1.3 meters wingspan.

The new technology would allow the real-time tracking of each drone with a 50 meters accuracy.

It would be possible to enable “protective geofencing”, which could automatically make drones land or return to the operator when approaching an “exclusion Zone” such as an airport or a prison. Authorities would be able to override drone control.

If the pilots are successful, it could be ready for commercial use in 2019, making the sky safer. As the usage of drones are becoming the new normal we need new safety and regulations in place.