Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 16 seconds.
An agreement has been signed between the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS)/FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site, and Aerium Analytics of Calgary to develop unmanned traffic management (UTM) and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) systems. This type of technology will be necessary in the future to allow such services as drone deliveries or drone ambulances. Trials are targeted to begin in Nevada in March – May 2019.
Delegates from Nevada met with their Alberta counterparts for a day long discussion on Nevada/Alberta trade opportunities, at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel on Nov. 9. The Nevada trade delegation was invited to Edmonton by Flair Airlines, who flew them on their inaugural Edmonton-Las Vegas return flight on Nov. 8.
Delegates included the State of Nevada, Government of Alberta, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Flair Airlines, the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS)/FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site, Aerium Analytics, Flair Airlines, Aurora Cannabis and EIA.
“Teaming with Aerium Analytics on technology, UTM, and BVLOS marks a milestone in exercising the Nevada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year for the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS),” said Dr. Chris Walach, D.M., executive/senior director, The Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) and the FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site. “Aerium Analytics is the first Alberta company to participate in live UTM operational testing in Nevada and NIAS is honoured to extend international co-operation between Nevada and Alberta.
“This teaming to extend UAS technology and operationally exercise UTM will strengthen State of Nevada cooperation with Alberta and help make cross-border BVLOS UAS flights between the U.S. and Canada a real possibility…” Walach added.
“Aerium Analytics is excited to join NIAS in a collaborative partnership to further explore the development of UTM and BVLOS trials,” said Jordan Cicoria, vice-president, Operations, AERIUM Analytics. “Working together to further the field of unmanned technology and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), this collaborative partnership aides in building strong international relationships, and strengthens the presence of Aerium Analytics and the Province of Alberta on an international stage.
“The knowledge and skills gained through the participation in the NIAS trials will be essential for the future development of the Canadian RPAS industry, particularly in and around the UTM and BVLOS capabilities.”
