Airobotics, a leading manufacturer of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), has been granted an Airworthiness Type Certification from the FAA for its Optimus-1EX drone, reports a press release. The drone is only the second ever UAS to receive this certification and the first Drone-in-a-Box solution, designated for fully automated operations for emergency response and digital data capturing to obtain this status from the FAA.
Meir Kliner, CEO of Airobotics, enthused, “We are thrilled to be the only U.S company currently to have the capability to deploy fully automated drones with Type Certificate over populated and complex American environments.”
He continued, “Drones without an airworthiness certificate face great obstacles in obtaining waivers to operate over people and active roads, and we believe that our Type certified Optimus-1EX drone will soon be deployed in a broader range of scenarios.”
Adding, “The last type certificate given by the FAA was for a package delivery drone and now we have opened the opportunity for more lifesaving applications such as Drone First Responding (DFR), rapid infrastructure survey for disaster relief applications and more.”
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This achievement has come after four years of intensive engineering and operational review processes conducted by the FAA. The Optimus System is already operating regularly in urban environments around the UAE and Israel. The Type Certificate now allows the company to conduct similar operations across U.S urban environments, aligning with its vision of deploying fleets of Optimus Systems as a permanent drone infrastructure. This aims to provide Smart City solutions, enhance public safety, enable Drone as a First Responder (DFR) capabilities, and offer various commercial and industrial aerial data services.
Background
Airobotics UAS is owned by Ondas Holdings, a Nasdaq floated company. The Optimus I- EX System is viewed as one of the most mature automated drone platforms in the market
Ondas believes the Type Certificate presents a game-changing solution for local governments and commercial entities seeking to streamline aerial data capture using a safe and certified airworthy UAS. Airobotics relies on fleets of automated drones that operate BVLOS. These drones function as a task force, simultaneously collecting and providing critical information for various customer requirements.
Each Optimus System, includes a smart airbase enabling automated battery changes for 24/7 operations. It also facilitates automated loading and installation of sensors suited for each specified mission. For example, Optimus drones can cover a perimeter of up to 30 square miles surrounding an airbase. Drone flights can be tasked with specific sensors, enabling diverse tasks within the fleet. Complex, longer-term operations can be activated, overseen by remote operators in a command-and-control centre.
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