Units with Viasat type approval, CE marking and FCC ID registration can be ordered at the Commercial UAV Expo.
Gotonomi, a leading UAV satellite connectivity solution provider, announced the completion of further successful flight trials and the opening of orders for production units of all variants of its UAV satcom terminals at the Commercial UAV Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. The launch marks a significant milestone and marks the transition from pre-produced flight development kits to type-approved commercial terminals, enabling scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for drone operators seeking to provide services such as inspection, surveillance and delivery.
Following extensive verification testing, including flight trials in the EU, US, Canada, Australia, UK and Brazil, deliveries of the CE/FCC/RCC/ISED marked units will begin in October 2024. All commercially available terminal variants will receive Viasat type approval, making them the first UAV terminals to receive approval for Regional Class 4 operations. Flight development kits for R&D purposes are still available for delivery immediately.
Matthew Hill, General Manager at Gotonomi, said: “After an extensive testing phase of our flight development kits, we are excited to enter the production phase and prepare for delivery of the commercial product. We see the inspection and surveillance market driving the need for reliable BVLOS operations and we are pleased to be able to offer the Velaris Inspection Bundle in collaboration with our partners Viasat and Videosoft Global to meet the needs of these customers.”
The Inspection and Monitoring product package includes:
- Gotonomi Velaris Edge module with integrated SOM
- Gotonomi 200-A Omni Antenna
- Videosoft’s ultra-low bandwidth video streaming software is pre-installed on the terminal
- Videosoft Software License
- Viasat broadcast time
- The inspection package will be launched with an introductory price applied to a limited number of units. Expressions of interest will be accepted at the CUAV Expo.
Stewart McCone, CEO of Videosoft, commented: “This partnership represents a significant advancement in UAV video capabilities. Videosoft Global’s software combined with Gotonomi’s hardware enables near real-time video streaming via satellite, opening up new opportunities for operators looking to fly BVLOS and in remote areas not served by terrestrial networks.”
Developed in collaboration with TTP and Viasat, Gotonomi’s range of small form factor terminals is tailored to the needs of companies operating small and medium-sized aircraft in applications that benefit greatly from remote control. The terminals are connected via Viasat’s Velaris network, a dedicated UAV connectivity service, and the flagship Velaris 200 offers a fully integrated satellite communications terminal and antenna. For greater flexibility, Gotonomi offers the Velaris Module (a satellite communications module) and the Velaris Multilink Module (a hybrid terminal that combines satellite and LTE connectivity with edge computing capabilities). The Gotonomi 200-A Omni Antenna complements these offerings as a lightweight standalone antenna.
Gotonomi addresses the critical challenge of ensuring continuous connectivity for UAVs, but also offers key differentiators from other terminal providers:
- Lighter weight, smaller size and lower cost than the competition
- Comprehensive integration support to help operators get started
- Competitive airtime fee structure with constant connectivity and no fees for maintaining an active satellite connection
- Up to 200 kbps data rate with excellent global availability via Viasat’s Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN)
The launch of the production units comes at a crucial time for the UAV industry. As the sector expands into new applications such as cargo, personnel transport, crop protection, site inspection and search and rescue, the need for reliable, always-on communications links has become paramount.
Anthony Spouncer, Senior Director of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Viasat, commented: “The commercial availability of Gotonomi’s production units represents a pivotal moment in the UAV industry. By combining Gotonomi’s innovative hardware with Viasat’s Velaris service, we are offering operators unprecedented connectivity and reliability. This launch will accelerate the adoption of BVLOS operations across multiple sectors, from remote inspections to emergency response.”
Gotonomi’s partner TTP is also working on Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology to further improve the safety of UAV operations.
Gotonomi’s production units will be available for order starting September 3rd, with volume discounts available. Interested parties are encouraged to visit Gotonomi, Videosoft and TTP at booth #944 at the Commercial UAV Expo from September 3rd to 5th to discuss integration options, learn more about the technology, see Videosoft’s video streaming demo and attend a beverage reception sponsored by Viasat.
