IPP: FAA Grants Botlink North Dakota UAS Partnership

The FAA’s recently announced UAS Integration Pilot Program is empowering a variety of smaller companies and start-ups to grow their drone businesses. For example, Fargo-based, drone-software firm Botlink is flying high after being granted a state-government partnership

The IPP is described by the FAA as “an opportunity for state, local, and tribal governments to partner with private sector entities, such as UAS operators or manufacturers, to accelerate safe UAS integration.” For Botlink, that means providing command-and-control UAS software in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

The UAS Integration Pilot Program will allow local and state governments to evaluate drone usage in commercial applications, including:

• Methods for expediting FAA airspace approval
• Collaboration between private sector and government for commercial applications
• Inform standard operational procedures
• Demonstration of solutions to reduce waivers
• Incorporation of community participation that invokes meaningful dialog regarding drone operations

According to a company press release, Botlink has “developed flight control software, allowing autonomous flights for commercial applications, and cloud-based storage and processing to provide data to commercial customers including aggregate and agriculture.”

“This is an excellent opportunity for Botlink and North Dakota to be a part of a select group of governments and private-sector companies chosen to shape the future of drone technology for the U.S.,” said Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Botlink.

The platform offers a user-friendly control, safety and data delivery process allowing seamless integration of drones into real-time workflows.

“Botlink integrates with users’ existing industry analysis tools, while eliminating the problems that prevent many users from incorporating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology, such as a lack of aviation knowledge and flight guidelines.”

In 2015, Botlink unveiled its XRD (Extended Range and Data) drone-control package at Interzone

Using cellular telemetry tech, XRD allows pilots to stich imagery and process data in real time at extended range, integrating current Botlink software with fully-automated drone control, ADS-B traffic advisories, airspace alerts and real-time position and weather data overlays on moving maps.