Ainstein Selected to Provide Collision Avoidance Radar Sensor for 2019 NASA UTM Capstone Operation in Nevada

Ainstein has announced its participation in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) Technical Capability Level (TCL) 4 operation lead by the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS).

This NASA UTM testing operation promises to develop a safe and reliable airspace platform to integrate drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). As a partner Ainstein will provide the collision avoidance sensor, which is integral to enabling urban beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and urban air mobility.

The size of a credit card, Ainstein’s μSharp Patch Collision Avoidance Radar is compact enough to be mounted onto small UAVs. Its lightweight and ultra-low power consumption enables your UAVs to carry more payload and fly longer without a recharge. Providing sensing and advanced algorithms, it is able to detect objects in all weather and light conditions, including dust, heavy rain and fog, and night flying.

“The potential for autonomous drone applications will never be realized without using the best collision avoidance sensors,” said Dr. Chris Walach, Executive Director of NIAS and the FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site. “Ainstein brings a deep scientific mathematical and engineering expertise as well as some of the top innovations in radar technology for collision avoidance. We are excited to work with their team to build the future of unmanned aerial systems.”

The NASA UTM TCL 4 program has partnered with leading unmanned aerial systems (UAS) providers to enable flying in higher-density urban areas for tasks such as newsgathering, package delivery, and large-scale contingency mitigation. Taking place over several months in downtown Reno, Nevada, for the first time in U.S. aviation history NASA will demonstrate in a metropolitan area under BVLOS conditions.

“NIAS and NASA have assembled and amazing group of teammates to propel the global UAS industry forward,” said Andrew Boushie, Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships at Ainstein. “For years, cost, weight, and performance constraints have hindered the wider adoption of radar. We are focused on improving safety and making UAS systems more affordable and easier to deploy. We are honored to bring our expertise to such an incredible program.”

Ainstein is the only provider offering a full radar system portfolio for drones and UAVs, including the smallest radar altimeter on the market as well as solutions for airborne UAV collision avoidance, safe takeoff and landing, and ground based intrusion detection over the operating airspace. Ainstein products are compact, simple to use, and all weather-proof. In addition to the NASA UTM operation, Ainstein is the only radar sensor partner in the Kansas UAS Integration Pilot Program selected by the FAA and USDOT, providing sensing technology is critical for next generation drone applications.