DJI and Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems Partner to Support Reno Drone Tests

As a designated FAA UAS Test Site, the city of Reno, Nevada is hosting a range of trials this year. DJI has partnered with the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) to support the safe exploration of drone technology in the area. 

DJI donates equipment to Reno UAS test program 

The DOT, FAA and NASA are all running programs in Reno this year. All are set to trial methods to integrate drones into airspace and test advanced operations. Reno is participating in the DOT’s UAS Integration Pilot Program, NASA’s UAS Traffic Management (UTM) trials and the FAA’s UTM Pilot Program. 

The programs are focused on:

• Identifying ways to balance local and national interests related to drone integration
• Establishing infrastructure to enable and safely manage the widespread use of  low-altitude airspace and drone operations
• Addressing safety, security and privacy risks related to drone operations
• Providing a systematic approach for collecting and reporting community input and concerns back to the FAA

DJI has announced the donation of two pieces of equipment to the effort.

First, a Matrice 210 RTK drone to provide proof of concept for industrial tasks such as aerial inspection, surveying and search and rescue. And second, an AeroScope remote identification system, which allows officials on the ground to monitor all DJI drones in the designated area and display their locations, their pilots’ locations and their serial numbers on a map. 

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#DJIPartnerswithNIAS NIAS and DJI promote the safe integration of Drones into the commercial air traffic system and to enhance awareness of the 2019 major NASA and FAA operations in Reno, Las Vegas, and Henderson. https://t.co/4E4YKpGoSkhttps://t.co/ynVjA3Wk9f pic.twitter.com/UwllXsIqwv

— NIAS (@NIAS_Nevada) April 26, 2019

Addressing the challenges of drone integration

Many of the trials taking place are aimed at developing infrastructure to support advanced drone operations. Part of that integration process involves knowing which drones are where. Understandably, safety is a top priority for all involved.

Dr. Chris Walach, Executive Director of all FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Sites and NIAS, said “The State of Nevada is truly leading in every way possible to help the DOT, FAA, NASA, and the U.S. Drone Industry safely integrate drones into the commercial air traffic system and lead the global technology race.

Partnering with top global drone market leaders and integrating the very best technology to ensure safe drone operations is a top priority of NIAS and the FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site. Our acceptance to integrate DJI’s AeroScope comprehensive drone detection platform and the advanced DJI unmanned drones into our trials in 2019 is going to allow Nevada to continue to lead nationally and globally in an exponentially growing drone industry.” 

“DJI is pleased to work with the City of Reno and the State of Nevada UAS Test Site/NIAS on their groundbreaking work to determine how society can reap the benefits of drone technology while addressing the challenges of integrating drones into the airspace,” said DJI Public Policy Manager David Hansell.

“Our state-of-the-art DJI Matrice 210 RTK drone platform offers one of the most powerful systems available to evaluate drone flights and test airspace management in rugged conditions. Our DJI AeroScope receiver can identify and monitor every DJI drone within radio range, allowing the Test Site to manage complex drone operations precisely, reliably and safely. The City of Reno and the State of Nevada UAS Test Site/NIAS are developing the systems of the drone- enabled future, and DJI is happy to help play a part in making it possible.”