July has been one of the most intense months of the year, as most of TindAIR partners met in the heat of southern France to test in real conditions our tactical deconfliction solution on two different scenarios. After more than one year working on the project, and testing both in lab and on field the solutions developed by TindAIR partners, the time for demonstrations has finally come!
The demonstrations are the main achievement of this project. Our main goal was to develop the tools necessary to ensure safe flights within U-space and to prove their feasibility and usefulness via real demonstrations. In order to do so, four demonstrations were planned this summer, and two of them have been performed in July, in Toulouse region. Let’s come back on these very special days.
What are we testing?
TindAIR partners have developed a technical solution providing U-space services. These elements are the Pildo Box, the Collins Aerospace datalink and the Innov’ATM software. Tested in lab, all these elements are forming a wonderful tool for U-space, providing a tactical deconfliction service, but they needed to be tested in real conditions.
Cira, Issnova, Skybirdsview and Airbus protect (previously Apsys) have brought their contribution in the design of these demonstrations, defining concept operations, use cases but also a safety and security plans.
Skyports and Onera contributed as operators, with different types of UAVs.
Issnova was also there to facilitate the survey on human factors, and Aerospace Valley made live-reports, shared on social networks.
The scenarios
Scenario 1 : What is happening if two medical flights are crossing path on the same corridor?
The scene takes place near of Toulouse, one UAV is transporting an emergency kit from a clinic to the place where an accident happened. On the way back, this UAV is crossing the path of another drone bringing the extension of the emergency kit. Both platforms are using the same corridor in opposite directions and if nothing is done, there will be a collision.
Resolution:
The TindAIR solution for tactical deconfliction is addressing the problem and instructions are automatically sent to one of the drones’ operators in order to change speed, height or make an ellipse via the U-space service provider. The collision is avoided, and both drones will arrive safely at their destination point.
Drones :
Trajectory:
Place: Two demonstrations have been performed. The first one between the cities of Verfeil and Lavaur, and the second one within Toulouse CTR, in Blagnac.
* The demonstrations are technical tests of our solutions. The mention of hospital, accident and medical kits are serving the use case description.
Scenario 4 : Emergency management – What is happening if the contact is lost with a drone? How to avoid in-flight conflicts in this peculiar situation, when other drones may be flying nearby?
The contact with a drone is lost, another drone is flying in the same area. This situation may turn into a collision.
Resolution: The TindAIR solution for tactical deconfliction is addressing the problem and “Return to home” instructions are automatically sent to the other drones’ operators flying in the area where the communication with the other drone was lost. Conflicts are avoided.
Drones :
