Drone Delivery Canada reports progress on its detect-and-avoid programmes

In its latest financial report and company update, Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) reports it is working towards the further development of detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems, which are intended to facilitate beyond visual line of sight operations. The company previously announced the deployment of a ground-based DAA system acquired from Canadian UAVs Inc. at the location of its strategic partner DSV Air & Sea Inc. Canada in Milton, Ontario, which is intended to support the Sparrow and Canary drones.

“During the year ended December 31, 2023, the company was able to complete the radar performance assessment, following a repositioning of the system as the system performance was suboptimal in its original selected position and has improved the detection rate for the new DroneCare route,” said the company. “In December of 2023, DDC received SFOC approval for VO BLVOS on its DroneCare route, allowing the removal of several visual observers from the operation. Subsequent, to December 31, 2023, the Company submitted an SFOC for a complete BVLOS waiver for the current DroneCare route. This BVLOS waiver would permit the removal of all visual observers from the DroneCare route.

“In addition, subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company has begun evaluating an onboard DAA system for the Canary (drone)  and is also concurrently evaluating a second ground based DAA system. The Company intends on evaluating all three systems and the implications of integrating such technologies into the Company’s proprietary FLYTE software.

“The DDC team has been focused on executing a key set of objectives to realize the full potential of our complete logistics solution. This includes the drones, required infrastructure, DAA systems as well as our FLYTE software which ties it all together. We have made solid progress to position us for projects at scale when the regulatory environment enables this.” said Steve Magirias, CEO of DDC.