Partnership to develop satellite-based control of offshore drones

Offshore staff

FAREHAM, UK – Flylogix and Cambridge Consultants have agreed to collaborate on harnessing Iridium’s satellite communications to control unmanned aerial vehicles from a central hub.

The arrangement will allow Flylogix to transition from local drone piloting at the airfield to centrally controlled operations, strengthening its support service for offshore E&P activities.

Flylogix’s service is designed to reduce the cost, risk, and environmental impact of gathering data offshore. According to the company, remote monitoring using satellite-controlled drones is a major step forward for offshore operations, with applications that extend beyond line of sight representing the next frontier in the development of drone services.

Conventional radio-based drone control systems cannot support central control, the company said, adding that until now, satellite-based control systems have not been commercially viable in the private sector.

Flylogix’s dual-satellite link exploits the Iridium network using what it claims is one of the smallest transceivers available. Cambridge Consultants, which has a long-term strategic relationship with Iridium, will work with the company to develop and improve the system’s performance for more robust and reliable global operations, all controlled from Flylogix’s headquarters on the UK south coast.

To support the development, Flylogix has formed a relationship with a major provider of offshore drilling services: the latter will supply an offshore platform for test operations along with insights into offshore inspection and data gathering.

Innovate UK is also supporting the development.

07/16/2020