New Botlink Launch Beefs Up Drone Control

The buzzword careening around this week’s Interdrone UAV conference in Las Vegas is all about “control.” On Wednesday, drone software management firm Skyward announced a new integrated UAV information management system and today, Botlink unveiled its XRD (Extended Range and Data) drone-control package at the conference.

Using cellular telemetry tech, XRD will allow 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.

“The technology was built from the ground up by our team of electrical engineers and software developers, with productivity and situational awareness in mind,” said Botlink COO and co-founder Shawn Muehler (picture left) in a company statement.

The software can also be used as a “situational awareness” standalone product and offers Android and web-based apps that feed air-traffic data and other telemetry that can be tailored to commercial users or hobbyists.

“We’ve been able to take all of these features and create a single solution that allows users to fly safely, while capturing and processing massive amounts of data in real time – there is absolutely nothing else with this level of capability on the market,” Muehler said — and he should know. The co-founder is a former military jet pilot and drone flyer as is most of the Botlink team. The firm’s cloud-based platform features fully-automated drone control with manual drag-and-drop hand flying from your smart phone or tablet.

The announcement comes soon after the formation of Botlink’s joint venture with Packet Digital, a power management company two months ago. The venture intends to raise $15 million to launch their cloud based operations platform for drones.

“Bringing Botlink’s drone control and safety software together with Packet Digital’s efficient drone hardware creates the most robust and powerful cloud based operations platform in the industry,” Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Packet Digital, said of the joint venture. “With the Botlink platform, users will be able to collect and distribute data in real-time, stay airborne up to four times longer and fly safely with real-time information and alerts on airspace and location of other aircraft and drones.”