Terra Drone Corporation, a prominent drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology firm headquartered in Japan, has unveiled a collaborative venture with its affiliated companies Unifly NV und Aloft Technologies Inc., aimed at UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions for AAMs targeting global markets. Terra Drone has been actively advancing its pioneering UTM endeavors through strategic investments in Unifly, a renowned UTM technology provider based in Belgium, and Aloft, which holds a significant share of the UTM market in the U.S. According to research by Terra Drone, this partnership represents a landmark achievement as the world’s first joint UTM development for AAMs involving multiple companies with extensive experience in UTM implementation and operation. The three companies announced the initiative at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) XPONENTIAL 2024 in San Diego.
Terra Drone, Unifly, and Aloft are teaming up for this collaborative UTM development to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities emerging from the swift global advancements in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), which are set to transform transportation. Forschung by Morgan Stanley indicates that the Städtische Luftmobilität (UAM) market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050. Meanwhile, eVTOLs have been captivating global attention with test flights and prototype showcases, fueling public imagination about the future of aviation.
With a collective decade of experience in UTM development since the inception of the modern drone industry, the three companies are ideally positioned for joint UTM collaboration. Terra-Drohne stands as the world’s second-largest drone solution provider. Unifly boasts a stellar track record in UTM implementation on a national scale in countries like Canada and Germany. Meanwhile, Aloft commands an impressive over 84% share of the UTM market in the U.S., recognized as the world’s largest market for drones and eVTOLs.
In anticipation of the imminent surge in eVTOL aircraft and Drohne activities, the companies proudly announce initiatives to enhance their existing UTM platforms. Their shared vision for the UTM platform is to facilitate safe and efficient flight operations for eVTOLs and drones in the near future. These platforms are intricately designed with a strong emphasis on automation, currently featuring advanced planning functionalities and sophisticated NOTAM parsing capabilities, highlighting their commitment to supporting AAM.
Acknowledging the evolving needs of the AAM industry, they are committed to further expanding their platform by integrating additional functions crucial for this sector. These enhancements, rooted in automation, aim not only to streamline operational efficiencies but also to pave the way for the seamless integration of their increasingly automated and sophisticated UTM technology into the design and operational framework of AAMs. Through these concerted efforts, they aspire to establish new benchmarks in UTM and facilitate the seamless integration of eVTOLs and drones into national airspace, bolstering the potential of the AAM industry.
Terra-Drohne, Unifly, and Aloft are actively pursuing collaboration with a wide range of partners to pursue their vision. This includes eVTOL manufacturers, operators, vertiport operators, aviation authorities, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), urban planners for seamless integration of AAM into city infrastructures, and educational institutions for research and development.
Through this pioneering initiative, the three companies aim to establish a global UTM infrastructure that catalyzes the AAM industry worldwide. By forming strategic partnerships across these diverse sectors, they aim to create a cohesive ecosystem that fosters AAM’s growth and addresses broader challenges related to urban mobility, sustainability, and air traffic safety.
Image Credits- TerraDrone, Unifly and Aloft
