GSMA Intelligence: UK is falling behind in drone innovation

A report by GSMA Intelligence highlights the UK's lagging position in the global race for drone innovation.

Commissioned by BT Group, the report emphasises the need for the UK to learn from international peers and implement recommended measures to ensure its leadership in the burgeoning drone economy.

The research, supported by BT Group, reveals that countries such as Japan, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy have made significant progress in developing their drone...

8 June 2023 | Drones

BT powers a UK-first medical drone trial

BT is using its network to power a transformational medical delivery trial.

The UK’s largest telco by subscribers has partnered with drone specialists Skyfarer and Medical Logistics UK to conduct the country’s first over-land Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) trial.

BVLOS enables drones to travel longer distances, cut delivery times, and reduce the costs involved in ground transportation over often-congested roads.

The drone trial – completed in the...

3 April 2023 | Applications

SpaceX bans Ukraine from using Starlink for drones

SpaceX has banned Ukraine from using Starlink satellite connectivity for controlling drones and other military purposes.

Drones have proven critical in Ukraine’s defense from Russia’s unprovoked invasion. Starlink, meanwhile, has kept Ukraine connected amid Russia’s targeting of communications infrastructure.

Right now, I don’t have electricity at my home. I also don’t have cellular. My internet provider is down.Why? Because Russia is...

9 February 2023 | Drones

Drone delivery pioneer Wing expands to Ireland

Alphabet-subsidiary Wing is flying to Ireland for the next expansion of its drone delivery services.

The company’s autonomous delivery drones pack computer vision for situational awareness and onboard flight planning and navigation systems. The drones have the ability to self-diagnose errors and respond to delivery requests on demand.

Wing currently operates pilot programs in Australia, Finland, and the US. In the coming weeks, Wing will add Lusk – a small town 20km...

21 October 2022 | Connected Vehicles

NHS trials delivering chemotherapy drugs using drones

NHS England is trialling the use of drones to rapidly deliver chemotherapy drugs. 

The announcement, made on the 74th birthday of the NHS, will see drones pick up lifesaving drugs and enable same-day delivery to patients.

“As the NHS turns 74, it is clear that the pace of change and improvement across the health service is only accelerating as our fantastic staff seek to make the most of life-changing advances to improve patients’ lives as we promised in the NHS...

5 July 2022 | Connected Vehicles

Royal Mail plans fleet of 500 drones for rural deliveries

British postal service Royal Mail is planning to use a fleet of 500 drones for deliveries to rural locations.

The pandemic reminded many of us of the vital role the humble postie plays in keeping people connected. However, many rural communities struggle to access the services we often take for granted due to their location.

Royal Mail wants to change that and has identified over 50 postal routes it wants to create using drones over the next three years.

The...

12 May 2022 | Connected Vehicles

DJI halts drone business in Russia and Ukraine

Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is halting its business in Russia and Ukraine following reports its products are being repurposed for military use.

Last week, the company issued a statement to reiterate that it does not market, sell, or design its products for military use, has refused to customise or enable modifications for this purpose, and is “unequivocally opposed attempts to attach weapons” to its products.

In the statement, DJI added:

“DJI is...

27 April 2022 | Drones

Walgreens partners with Wing for deliveries using drones

Retail pharmaceutical giant Walgreens is partnering with Alphabet’s Wing to deliver goods via drones.

The service will initially be launched in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A co-located operation will be established in the store’s parking lot and will serve parts of the city of Frisco and town of Little Elm.

One of the most exciting use cases for drones is the rapid delivery of critical goods to emergency scenes and rural areas. In a promo video, Walgreens shows a...

21 October 2021 | Drones

Urban-Air Port and Hyundai are building 65 electric airports for cleaner travel

A partnership between UK startup Urban-Air Port and Hyundai will result in the creation of 65 electric airports for cleaner urban air travel.

Transport is one of the biggest polluters but is essential for logistics, work, and leisure. While consumers and businesses are increasingly converting to electric ground vehicles, air travel remains a carbon-intensive industry.

Urban-Air Port is among the leading innovators working to develop the infrastructure required to launch...

21 September 2021 | Applications

Inmarsat launches the first global UAV connectivity solution

Satellite giant Inmarsat has launched Velaris, the first global connectivity solution for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Velaris is powered by Inmarsat’s ELERA satellite network and enables commercial UAVs to fly beyond visual sight. The solution also provides UAV operators with access to key applications like real-time air traffic monitoring to ensure the safety of all commercial airspace users.

Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat’s Senior Director of UAVs and Unmanned...

8 September 2021 | Connected Vehicles