The Autonomy Institute, comprising over 300 corporate partners, has formed a significant alliance with Ondas Holdings Inc., a company specialising in autonomous drone technology. This partnership was recently unveiled as Ondas was named the lead commercial partner within the Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone (IIEZ), situated along Texas State Highway 130 (SH130).
The IIEZ initiative aims to create ten designated drone zones in areas with heavy traffic, specifically between the Circuit of the Americas and Georgetown, Texas. These zones are set to facilitate a range of operations, including inspections, security, and public safety tasks, thereby addressing the needs of a robust corporate environment that includes companies like Tesla, Samsung, and Amazon, among others. The SH130 corridor is known for its dense concentration of corporate campuses and public services.
According to the information provided, this project will enhance the capabilities of various public services offered by the City of Austin, including departments such as Austin Energy, Austin Fire, and Austin Water. There is also involvement from agencies like City Planning and the Police, thus highlighting the collaborative effort towards improving community services. Notably, the region encompasses a Public Safety Training campus which indicates a strong focus on safety training and preparedness for local authorities.
The drone systems deployed in this initiative are part of Ondas' offerings, particularly their Optimus System, which is specifically designed for civilian applications. Additionally, the company provides another drone called the Iron Raider, which caters to military applications. The systems will be operated through Ondas' subsidiaries, American Robotics and Airobotics.
Jeff DeCoux, Chairman of the Autonomy Institute, commented on the significance of Ondas' involvement, stating, “Ondas has assembled the leading autonomous industrial solutions within the drone industry; Ondas’ combined platform provides for resilient, scaled remote drone operations.” Furthermore, Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas, noted the importance of this collaboration for community security and economic efficiency, declaring, “Ondas is excited to collaborate with the Autonomy Institute in deploying Intelligent Infrastructure, which has profound implications for the security and efficiency of our communities and underpins our nation’s long-term economic growth.”
Highlighting the potential impact of these drone systems, Jason Day from the Texas Department of Public Safety remarked, “Texas is the undeniable leader in the use of UAS by public safety and the mission sets are as diverse as the state itself.” Day further acknowledged the cooperative effort between state and local government agencies along with private sector involvement, suggesting this synergy has led to significant advancements, which are expected to expand with the SH130 program.
The establishment of Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones by the Autonomy Institute aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems focused on integrating intelligent and autonomous systems into everyday operations. According to their press release, these zones are designed not only to stimulate economic growth but also to support research and development that benefits community initiatives and workforce development.
The ongoing development of this drone program reflects an increasing trend in leveraging automated technologies for enhancing public safety and economic growth, thereby setting the stage for future advancements in the utilisation of drones across various sectors.
Source: Noah Wire Services