Description

This globally scalable drone management system maps complete process chains fully automatically and executes drone operations at the push of a button. The system can be seamlessly integrated into an ERP and workflow management system such as SAP, thereby networking all assets.

Hardware and software – consisting of a hexacopter and a central control center application – are designed for industrial robustness and are based on the highest possible security standards to ensure sustainable, uninterrupted and safe UAV operations. More than 100 drones at various locations around the world can be controlled simultaneously from a central control center. The software platform helps to improve data analysis using drones, make real-time decisions on flight operations, optimize operational processes and minimize risks through continuous monitoring.

The software solution can be fully integrated by the customer into his own business processes or operated by HHLA Sky as a service.
The industrial drones developed in-house are extremely robust and predestined for use in critical infrastructures, such as security areas on company premises or in the energy sector. The development has been completed and the system is already in operation at HHLA as well as with customers.

Innovations

HHLA Sky adds the third dimension to business processes – with the Integrated Control Center for drones and other remote controlled vehicles. This is unique to date (October 2020) and significantly increases the efficiency of drone operations.

The control center is designed as a complete system ready to fly. It operates globally on the basis of worldwide mobile communications standards where a LTE connection is available. Users can operate more than 100 drones and other remote-controlled vehicles in parallel beyond line of sight. The platform cleverly combines the entire deployment, from planning and dispatching to flight and securely encrypted real-time data transmission, with instant distribution capabilities to a variety of stakeholders.

Market relevance

The world market for commercial drones is estimated at about 26 billion USD (2021) and about 38 billion USD (2024). In Europe, the market is growing from about 5.6 billion USD (2021) to about 8.4 billion USD (2024). The share of the “delivery market” is expected to increase from about 1.3 billion USD (2021) to approximately 2.6 billion USD (2024). Of this amount, about 0.3 billion USD (2021) and about 0.6 billion USD (2024) will be accounted for by Europe.

Target customers (e.g. chemical companies, airports and seaports, logistics hubs) have large and distributed operating areas, have a high demand for automated in-house transportation, and usually have additional use cases: Surveillance of premises and fencing, technical and environmental inspections, controls at locations with hazardous substances or radiation for HSE purposes. This universal drone platform is payload agnostic and can be quickly equipped with cameras, sensors, or loudspeakers, or for delivery of goods.

Logistics service providers (e.g. DHL, UPS) and trading companies (e.g. Amazon, Walmart) test the use of drones on the first and last mile and in rural areas.
Renowned management consultancies such as McKinsey see new business models in consumer delivery “X2C” and expect that drones and autonomous vehicles will take over 80 percent of deliveries. Although this market segment is still largely untapped at present, our Integrated Control Center already offers all the necessary functions for the automatic, simultaneous flight of a large number of drones over long distances and out of sight (BVLOS).

Customer benefits

Integrated Drone Control Center for simultaneous automated operation of over 100 drones (BVLOS) and AGV:

• Management of standard processes (registration, identity management, flight coordination, billing)
• Central unit for monitoring the drone flight envelope
• Autonomous flight operation – take over manual control if required
• Task-oriented expert workstations for safe drone operation
• Permanent data connection to the drone
• Encrypted communication
• Trajectory recording, storage on the black box and the server
• Simple drone flight permissions

Industrial Hexacopter Platform:

• Certified security solutions
• Multiprocessor architecture on the drone
• Fully integrated ROS architecture for advanced robotics
• Fully encrypted 3G/4G data connection for command, control and live video
• Parachute and safety buoy for safe operations
• Full integration into HHLA Sky’s drone control center
• Range up to 45min/24km

The drone system:

Shortens distances and times for internal transport – even between sites separated by roads, railroads, rivers, lakes or other surfaces. Documents, keys, samples of materials and liquids, emergency and express deliveries for MRO (spare parts, tools, etc.) or papers for the clearance of ships and freight transports are transported more calculable and faster compared to courier trips.
Can take over a variety of other tasks (e.g. monitoring, technical inspections)