SciTransfer
SPATIO · Project

Automated Air Traffic Control for Safe and Scalable Commercial Drone Operations

transportPilotedTRL 6

Imagine a digital air traffic controller for drones that prevents mid-air collisions. It works like a smart GPS that plans routes before takeoff and makes real-time adjustments during flight to keep aircraft apart. If a pilot stops responding, the system can take over and steer the drone to safety automatically.

By the numbers
23
consortium partners
9
countries involved
4
real-world validation environments
The business problem

What needed solving

Increasing drone traffic creates a high risk of mid-air collisions and airspace congestion. Current 'first come, first served' access is inefficient and does not account for priority or environmental risks like noise.

The solution

What was built

A separation management system featuring strategic and tactical conflict resolution, dynamic capacity monitoring, and a ground-based safety net for direct drone commanding.

Audience

Who needs this

U-space Service Providers (USSPs)Commercial Drone Fleet OperatorsUAV ManufacturersAir Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs)
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Logistics
enterprise
Target: Last-mile delivery drone operator

If you are a delivery operator dealing with the risk of drone collisions in crowded urban areas — this project developed tactical conflict resolution that ensures drones operate safely and simultaneously. This allows for higher flight density without increasing accident risks.

Aviation Services
mid-size
Target: U-space Service Provider (USSP)

If you are a service provider dealing with inefficient 'first come, first served' airspace access — this project developed priority mechanisms and dynamic capacity management. This allows you to manage the maximum number of drones based on noise and population risk.

Aerospace Manufacturing
any
Target: UAV Manufacturer

If you are a manufacturer dealing with strict safety regulations for autonomous flight — this project developed a ground-based safety net that issues direct commands to drones. This feature helps your hardware meet the safety requirements for operating in European U-space.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What is the cost or pricing for these separation services?

Based on available project data, specific pricing is not mentioned, though the project aims to provide insights into the costs and benefits of the system.

Can this system scale to a large number of drones?

Yes, the project integrates dynamic capacity management to monitor airspace demand and determine the maximum number of drones that can safely operate.

Who owns the IP or how is licensing handled?

Based on available project data, licensing details are not provided, but the project involves 23 partners across 9 countries including industry and research entities.

How does this affect current aviation regulations?

The project provides insights into regulatory and standardization needs to integrate drones into Europe's U-space unmanned traffic management system.

How is the system integrated with existing drones?

It uses a ground-based safety net capable of issuing direct commands to drones if pilots fail to respond to instructions.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 61% industry ratio, comprising 14 companies, including 4 SMEs. With 23 partners across 9 countries, the project has a strong commercial footprint and high cross-border validation potential, led by the public entity ENAIRE.

How to reach the team

Contact ENAIRE in Spain for partnership opportunities regarding U-space separation management.

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Contact us to find out how to integrate SPATIO's separation services into your drone fleet.

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