31 January 2023

Sky-Drones’ mission is to accelerate the development and adoption of unmanned air vehicles for enterprise by building connected hardware and software products for drone manufacturers and commercial drone service providers.

Our offering covers everything necessary for commercial drone operation, from flight control and connectivity to cloud based fleet management software. We truly believe that the power of drones lies in perfectly matched software and hardware - and that our technology helps drone vendors reduce their time to market from years down to a few months or, sometimes, even just weeks.

Since its launch in April 2021, AIRLink has been a central component of our drone ecosystem. Standing for Artificial Intelligence & Remote Link, it is the world’s most advanced compact and fully integrated avionics device for enterprise zones. The original AIRLink 4G version, featuring AI capabilities and LTE connectivity, has been hugely successful ever since its market introduction.

AIRLink 5G 

Sky-Drones has now built on that success to launch AIRLink 5G—a next-generation avionics device allowing manufacturers and users to rely even more on real time connectivity. Its integrated 5G connectivity module provides lower latency and higher bandwidth than the 4G option. Key benefits include up to 600 megabits per second bandwidth with sub 6 gigahertz and millimetre wave operation. It communicates via four LTE antennas, compared with two for the original model.

The two modules are mechanically compatible, with identical mounting holes, connectors, peripherals, and other components; this makes 4G to 5G transition smooth and easy for existing customers, so they can resume airborne operation with minimal disruption or delay.

AIRLink comprises an artificial intelligence mission computer and cutting-edge autopilot capabilities. The integrated, triple redundant, vibration damped, temperature stabilised inertial measurement unit (IMU) provides solid flight stability even when operating in extreme environmental conditions. The UK-manufactured product is approved by JRL/JTBL, FCC, PTCRB, RED, and GCF.

Sky-Drones supports customers through each step of their drone development, with three AIRLink editions. The Enterprise Edition provides a quick start, with easy evaluation and installation for prototyping or low volume production. The Core Edition allows customers to optimise their design with deeper integration for medium volume production. Finally, they can use the Ref Design Edition for deep customisation and locally based high volume production.

AIRLink-Enabled Fleets Enhance Autonomy 

SmartAP AIRLink supports any UAV airframe—from fixed wing to VTOL—all of which can be controlled simultaneously using our SmartAP ground control software. Mission team members can monitor flight progress in real time with 5G using Sky-Drones’ cloud from anywhere in the world.

“The AIRLink 5G comes in a compact, rugged box and has everything you need to start using the system” comments Kirill Shilov, founder and CEO of Sky-Drones. “The package includes  GPS module, telemetry system, air module, route module, and all accessories like cameras, cables, antennas and everything you might need to get the unit up and running.

“Once deployed, AIRLink-enabled fleets are pushing drone autonomy to the next level, with onboard artificial intelligence and computer vision. Unmanned traffic management integration, real time flight authorizations, real time data streaming and Big Data-driven AI inspired machine learning flight log analytics are all further opportunities opened up by SmartAP AIRLink by Sky-Drones—the industry’s leading artificial intelligence remote link.”

Watch: SmartAP AIRLink