Converge Ventures, a unique high-tech lean startup studio\nmodel that commercializes innovative research, announces the launch of\nLighthouse Avionics (Lighthouse), an airspace management system capable of\nproviding low-cost long-range identification, tracking, and communication\ncapabilities for drones flying below 400 feet, the current FAA ceiling for\ncommercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and drone activities. Lighthouse\nrecently received a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, a\nstate government entity that works with promising Ohio-based startups to foster\neconomic development and position the Buckeye State as a nexus for\ntechnological innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are excited to launch this game-changing startup to\nsupport scalable and cost-effective management of the airspace where commercial\nUAV systems will operate,\u201d says Eric Wagner, CEO, Converge Ventures. \u201cOhio is a\nleader in UAV research and adoption; and we are proud to contribute to the\necosystem in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lighthouse, developed with significant insights from\ncustomers, provides for a scalable aircraft control infrastructure that can\nmonitor unmanned aircraft across local municipalities, cities, states, and\nfederal entities such as the Department of Defense. Working in partnership with\nthe City of Hilliard, Lighthouse has identified first responders as the launch\ncustomer for the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FAA requires that commercial use drones and UAVs must\nremain within the operator\u2019s visual line of sight, and must be piloted by\ncertified, trained personnel, which can be costly for cash-strapped\nmunicipalities. Moreover, the FAA has been averse to permitting unrestricted\ndrone operations in areas that do not have air space management systems such as\nradars in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enter Lighthouse\u2019s solution. Based on three key components:\nthe Virtual Control Tower (VCT), the operator\u2019s workstation, and fully\nautonomous integrated drones, the system replicates the entire functionality of\nthe current national airspace architecture in a low-cost scalable solution to\nenable airspace management on local levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virtual Control Towers (VCT) are a permanent structure that\ncan be mounted to cell towers or school building rooftops, and integrate radar,\noptical, communication, acoustic and weather sensing into a single system. A\nreceive allows any drone to communicate its position to the towers. The VCTs\nare cost-effective and scalable, with the potential to support large areas of\noperations \u2014 including statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lighthouse Operator\u2019s Station serves as the dispatch station\nfor the drones. An operator monitoring emergency calls can simply point to a\nlocation on a map, click, and send a UAV\/drone to that spot directly. For\npolice and fire departments, the ability to see via a drone camera whether a\ndispatch requires a single officer for a fender bender, or multiple ambulances\nfor a five-car pile-up, for example, means saving precious resources and even\nlives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lighthouse Intelligent Drone Systems are fully autonomous,\nAI-powered UAVs, replete with redundant communication and navigation, built-in\nsafety features including a parachute, and with a high-definition optical and\ninfrared camera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lighthouse will be the only company in the US to offer\nout-of-the-box drone solutions for municipalities that require limited training\nand no certified operator. Local governments will benefit from a reduction in\nmanpower and improved operational efficiency, allowing municipalities to recoup\ntheir investment in fewer than four years. In addition, Lighthouse’s VCTs can\nbe integrated into larger statewide airspace management systems providing\nlocalized airspace awareness anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At present, Lighthouse is working with the FAA, the State of\nOhio, and the City of Hilliard, Ohio on an initial pilot project roll-out,\nwhich will integrate six virtual control towers to support two Lighthouse\ndrones operating over 13.5 square miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Lighthouse drone system is developed by and for first\nresponders,\u201d says Eric Grile, deputy police chief, City of Hilliard. \u201cThe\ntechnology will have a dramatic effect on shortening response times, meaning\nmore intentional deployment of valuable city resources, and less wasted time\nand personnel.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The global market potential in the UAV industry cannot be\nunderstated. Over the past decade, demand for commercial and governmental use\nof drones and other autonomous flight devices has grown exponentially. During\n2020, worldwide commercial UAV sales totaled roughly $23 billion, a number that\nis expected to double by 2025. Of the 2020 sales figure, military purchases\naccounted for some $14 billion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within Lighthouse\u2019s home state of Ohio alone, there are 477\nmunicipalities with a total market exceeding $166 million. Across the US, the\npotential addressable market is worth more than $14.5 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n