Inmarsat Velaris Network welcomes Dimetor and Bellwether
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby
At this week’s Xponential 2022 show, global connectivity player Inmarsat announced the addition of software company Dimetor and UAM solutions provider Bellwether Industries to the growing Partner Network for its Velaris UAV connectivity solution. The network was established last year with the goal of incentivizing collaborations using the Velaris connectivity solution, which enables commercial UAVs to carry out long distance flights and utilize a range of applications. The solution also allows a single pilot to remotely operate multiple UAVs at a time. Dimetor and Bellwether Industries join existing network members Altitude Angel and Harvest Technology Group.
“We’re delighted to welcome Dimetor and Bellwether as members of our Velaris Partner Network, especially at this incredibly buoyant time in the BVLOS and urban air mobility spaces,” said Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat’s Senior Director of UAVs and Uncrewed Traffic Management. “Such innovative collaborations, powered by the unparalleled capabilities of Inmarsat’s ELERA L-band satellite network, are fantastic news for uncrewed aviation and will directly benefit customers across this growing industry.”
Dimetor’s AirborneRF solution connects live radio network data from terrestrial Mobile Network Operators (MNO) with UAV airspace control systems. The addition of Inmarsat’s Velaris will enable UAV operators to access integrated terrestrial and space-based datalink communications for data routing, granting reliable control of UAVs within a three-dimensional airspace safety corridor. Dimetor will incorporate satellite communications into its data visualization in order to determine optimal routes. Essential to this solution will be a combined L-band satcom and LTE hybrid terminal designed by Inmarsat. The terminal will create integrated terrestrial and satellite communications, providing operators with an affordable solution.
“Our partnership with Inmarsat is a key milestone in progressing BVLOS solutions for UAV operators,” said Dimetor CTO and Co-Founder Thomas Wana. “Together, we are working to expand and bring AirborneRF to the market, combining our capabilities and expertise to create a platform that caters to the evolving wants and needs of customers. We’re excited to see what we can achieve as part of the Velaris Partner Network, and look forward to close collaboration with the Inmarsat team for years to come.”
“Partnering with Dimetor is a crucial next step in the development of accessible Beyond Visual Line of Sight UAV solutions, particularly those that come at an attainable price point without compromising on reach and quality of coverage,” added Spouncer. “The combination of 4G and 5G with Inmarsat’s highly reliable, always-on ELERA network, visualized by AirborneRF, will be the best way to plan efficient Line of Sight (LOS) and BVLOS operations. This will be a game changer for the industry, offering world-first technologies within an affordable and efficient solution for UAV operators.”
Bellwether’s Volar Urban Air Mobility aircraft is designed to fly a user between any points in a city. Together, Inmarsat and Bellwether Industries will examine the improvements satellite communications can provide for intra-city transportation. Inmarsat’s Velaris, combined with the company’s previous aviation safety systems experience, will allow Bellwether’s Volar to safely integrate with commercial airspace, as well as share data with Uncrewed Traffic Management. Bellwether will also benefit from the regulatory and air traffic management expertise of Inmarsat and other Velaris partners.
“Inmarsat’s contribution is extremely important to the future development of Bellwether’s Onboard Vehicle Management System and airspace integration,” said Bellwether Co-Founder and COO Kai-Tse Lin. “It’s crucial that the operation of our Volar urban aircraft is a simplified and user-friendly experience, making commuting in a Volar easier than driving your car.”
“Our partnership with Bellwether will be critical in the development of safe and efficient intra-city transportation services with passenger experience as their driving force,” said Spouncer. “In collaboration with an urban air mobility platform manufacturer, Velaris will play a key role in making safety and efficiency industry-standard features for the intra-city transportation sector. Together we’re defining a new category of transportation that is passenger oriented by design, prioritizing safety and regulation.”
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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