Flying over residential areas of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Ramat Hasharon, Herzliya and Hadera, the pilot program has conducted the third stage of eight tests it will run as it moves forward in its mission to create a national drone network.
A drone delivers sushi to waiting recipients in the Tel Aviv area on October 11, 2021 (credit: ZEV STUB)
During the test, drones operated by the five companies participating in the program will perform approximately 300 flights per day over open areas, performing different types of tasks on flight paths assigned by the common control system.
Among the challenges, drones operated by Cando and High-Lander will bring the sushi deliveries ordered by customers through a dedicated app and deliver them to Tzuk Beach in Herzliya. Companies will also have a drone performing autonomous security missions for an emergency installation (Reading Fire Station) so that the drone located at the charging station is activated autonomously.
In addition, SkyLinx and FlyTech will run a pilot program where customers can enter their order via a dedicated app and receive their ice cream via drones at Charles Clore Park (next to the Manta Ray restaurant).
All participating airlines, including Simplex and DownWind, will fly over the urban areas of central Tel Aviv. HarTech Technologies Ltd. and Airwayz will operate flights over the Hadera urban area.
The flights will also deliver donated blood, platelets and plasma from the Magen David Adom blood bank to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, with the aim of verifying the packing method, theft and procedures to ensure that they are comply with the regulations of the Ministry of Health.
At this point, the goal is to consolidate the procedures so that other companies are able to offer similar services in every blood bank and hospital in Israel when needed.
Tens of thousands of sorties will take place in the skies over Israel over the course of a two-year project, all centrally controlled by the Ayalon Expressway air traffic control center. During this week’s tests, air transport will also take place in Brazil, controlled by the management system in Israel.
In this center, one can visualize the management and supervision system of airborne drones flying in the area, preparing for a future situation where tens or even hundreds of drones would fly over the sky for various missions, operating in a uniform airspace. The system will be able to prioritize the various drone flights and clear the airspace when entering a large-capacity aircraft or when entering one of the aircraft operated by the emergency services in the event of an emergency.
The initiative, born of a collaboration between the Israel Innovation Authority, the Ministry of Transport (through Ayalon Highways Co.), the Civil Aviation Authority and the Smart Transportation Authority, leads a series of increasingly complex technological missions with the aim of building the experience and know-how to deploy a centrally organized network of drones.
The project was set up with the aim of advancing the deployment of drones for the benefit of the public, to help relieve road congestion and to establish a national air network, managed for the benefit of the transport of drugs, vaccines, tests. and medical equipment, as well as retail shipments and more.
The project was set up with the aim of advancing the deployment of drones for the benefit of the public to help relieve road congestion and to establish a national air network, managed for the benefit of the transport of drugs, vaccines, tests and medical equipment. , as well as retail shipments and more.
“The National Drone Initiative reaches new heights on its way to deployment in central Israel – Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Ramat Hasharon, Herzliya and Hadera – and is on track to create a leading ecosystem in this area “said the CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority. Dror Bin said. “As part of the third event, which will be attended by 16 Israeli companies and international representatives, there will be a number of simultaneous flights to Israel and Brazil.
“As part of the demonstration, there will be freight delivery flights by commercial companies in different areas directly to the end consumer. This unique collaboration between the Innovation Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority and Ayalon Highways is a catalyst for other public entities including IDF Home Front Command, Magen David Adom, United Hatzalah Emergency Services and others commercial, benefit from the extraordinary capabilities demonstrated in this pilot. “
