Verizon, Parrot and Skyward have announced an exclusive partnership to bring the first ready-to-use 4G LTE drone solution to the US. Parrot’s Skyward-connected drone solution with ANAFI Ai will be available through Skyward in the second half of 2021.
Parrot ANAFI Ai has a lot to offer commercial drone customers. ANAFI Ai offers autonomous photogrammetry, an open source app, new levels of security, obstacle avoidance and more. ANAFI Ai is also “the first and only commercial drone to connect to Verizon’s 4G LTE network,” the partnership announcement said.
Verizon 4G LTE connectivity is only available to Skyward subscribers at no additional cost. The Skyward Connected Drone Solution offers companies extensive experience in planning, flight, data transmission and data processing. “
What 4G LTE Connected Drone really means
“Parrot ANAFI Ai’s embedded Secure Element secures the 4G LTE connection between the drone and the user’s device. The streaming software implemented by Parrot is adapted to the 4G situation in order to quickly adapt the resolution and frame rate to the network quality, ”the announcement said.
When Parrot ANAFI Ai pilots subscribe to a paid account – or a free trial – of the Skyward Connected Drone Solution, they can not only use Skyward’s airspace and fleet management tools, but also transfer data in-flight over 4G LTE: faster and seamless live video streaming and data transfer.
The 4G LTE connection integrated into the drone solution is easy to use – users do not have to subscribe to a separate cellular service.
After activation via Skyward, the Verizon 4G LTE connectivity provides a seamless backup connection to the flight controller in the event of malfunctions or interruptions. It paves the way for near real-time data transfer, remote deployment and Beyond Visual Line of Sight flight operations – all of which are permitted today with an exemption from the FAA.
“Enterprise drone programs are pushing the limits of technology available today, and advanced operators are ready for a connected, trusted, high-performance drone to take their drone programs to the next level,” said Mariah Scott, Head of Verizon Robotics Business Technology. “Parrot ANAFI Ai, connected to Verizon 4G LTE, marks an industry milestone in the direction of distributed, remote and persistent operations that allow users to fly anywhere and from anywhere with near real-time data transfer.”
“Mobile connectivity is the new communication standard for the professional drone industry and Parrot ANAFI Ai aims to set new standards for drones at work,” said Henri Seydoux, Founder and CEO of Parrot. “We developed ANAFI Ai’s 4G LTE connectivity, which enables precise, robust and safe control from any distance with a 4G LTE connection that bypasses obstacles. Advanced artificial intelligence, autonomous flights, world-class imaging, photogrammetry accuracy and reliable 4G LTE connectivity on the Verizon network put powerful new tools in the hands of professionals like never before and we firmly believe this is a game changer for the drone industry . “
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional marketplace for drone services, and a passionate observer of the emerging drone industry and regulatory environment for drones. Author of over 3,000 articles focusing on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam graduated from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies.
For advice or writing in the drone industry, email Miriam.
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