Project Skyway, the UK's first nationwide drone superhighway

Project Skyway, the UK's first nationwide drone superhighway, received a £5 million investment from BT, which will go towards the development of detect and avoid (DAA) software technology called ARROW®. The project, which is led by Altitude Angel, a Reading-based UTM solution provider, will connect a 165-mile drone corridor above Reading, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Coventry, and Rugby and is expected to become the largest and longest network of drone superhighways in the world.

The UK is at the forefront of a second transport revolution with the most ambitious transport project proposed since the advent of the railway network in the 18th century. The drone superhighway has multiple potential uses, including logistics for businesses, medical deliveries, and police work. The drones will be guided safely to their destination along “corridors” by connecting to a virtual superhighway system, bypassing the need for human pilots.

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BT's £5 million investment will support Altitude Angel's software development by providing its connectivity and network infrastructure through its EE mobile network. The ARROW® technology being developed by Altitude Angel is transformative, providing a scalable and viable mechanism to integrate drones into everyday life. The technology will ensure that airspace can remain open and that crewed and uncrewed aviation from any party can safely coexist.

The EE network from BT will provide the UK's largest and most reliable network to Project Skyway, keeping drones connected to ARROW®. This will provide greater situational awareness and tactical collision avoidance instructions from the autopilot system and allow for the streaming of key video feeds such as search and rescue footage back to control rooms. The EE network will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the drone superhighway.

Project Skyway has the potential to revolutionize transport and delivery services. It will be crucial in showcasing how the UK can lead the creation of new jobs and public services and form the backbone of how drones are integrated into daily life. The project is expected to become operational within two years, and its success could pave the way for similar initiatives around the world.

The use of drones in transportation and delivery has been growing in recent years, with major companies such as Amazon, UPS, and Google exploring the potential of drone technology. However, the integration of drones into daily life has been slowed down by concerns about safety, privacy, and security. Project Skyway aims to address these concerns by providing a safe and efficient means of integrating drones into society.

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Drones have the potential to transform the way goods are delivered and how emergency services respond to crises. They can reach remote areas that are difficult to access by road and can provide faster delivery times than traditional delivery methods. The use of drones in agriculture and environmental monitoring has also been growing, with drones being used to survey crops, track wildlife, and monitor deforestation.

Project Skyway is a significant step towards the integration of drones into daily life. The £5 million investment from BT and the development of ARROW® technology will provide the necessary infrastructure and technology to ensure the safe and efficient use of drones in transportation and delivery. The project is expected to become operational within two years and has the potential to revolutionize the way goods are delivered and how emergency services respond to crises. The UK is at the forefront of a second transport revolution, and Project Skyway will be crucial in showcasing how the UK can lead the way in integrating drones into daily life.

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