Google successfully completes drone traffic control system test

Google’s Wing drone project, part of Google X, has successfully tested its own drone traffic management system. The test was organized by NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to Google X, the division of the internet giant that experiments with new technology, the test showed that the system is able to monitor the flight paths of various drones and avoid collisions. During the test, three Wing drones were flown, controlled by a single person. The drones picked up and delivered payloads. That happened in the same area where two 4G-powered Aero drones from Intel and a DJI Inspire were also conducting automated rescue missions, Google said.

By using the traffic control system, the drones automatically adjusted if they came too close to each other. Google calls its system UTM, or UAS Air Traffic Management. It is able to plan routes in real time and warn drivers if there is an unexpected change in the route. It takes into account closed areas, such as no-fly zones and areas where there is a safety risk. In the future, the system should be able to manage more drones and deal with more complex environments.

According to Recode, NASA and FAA aim to complete their research into integrating drone traffic management systems by 2019. According to the site, an initiative like Google’s may not have to wait that long, as President Trump this week introduced plans to privatize federal air traffic control. In addition, there is a pilot program in which municipalities can draw up their own rules for drone traffic.

Google said in late 2015 that it wanted to start delivering packages with its Wing drones this year. In September of last year, it conducted a test in which it delivered burritos to American students using the drones. Other companies working on a traffic management system include AirMap and Nokia.

Image via Google