If this month is any indication, it's shaping up to be a strong year for technology development. A handful of drone companies have stopped developing some pretty significant drone technology products in 2024, and we've put them all together in one post.
This is not a comprehensive list of everything that has changed or launched in drones this month, but rather a roundup of the six most important aspects of drone technology advancements for 2024 that you need to know by now.
LiDAR integration applied to large VTOL drones
![2024 Drone Tech Event 38](https://www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CLR5413-900x600.jpg)
![2024 Drone Tech Event 38](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CLR5413.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Event 38 Unmanned Systems, known for building the Heavy VTOL E455 Drone, began integrations in February to allow the drone to be paired with multiple LiDAR systems.
Among these LiDAR systems include NDAA-compliant LiDAR models such as the Resepi Hesai LIDAR HT-32 and the RESEPI Ouster OS1-64 developed by Inertial Labs. This development also means that the E455 drone can be equipped with the Remote Sensing Payload (RESEPI), a sensor fusion platform designed for accuracy-focused remote sensing applications.
This is a very compelling proposition, especially considering the long flight times. In fact, the flight time of a drone can still exceed two hours even with a LiDAR system attached.
This news may be important to those who use drones for aerial surveying and mapping. Because users now have LiDAR scanning, a more turnkey solution for achieving high pulse rates. Simply put, this means drone pilots can collect survey-grade data on thousands of acres per day.
Wingtra launches LiDAR payload
![2024 Drone Technology Wingtra LiDAR Payload](https://www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-wingtra-drone-LIDAR-sensor-output-screen-2-900x601.png)
![2024 Drone Technology Wingtra LiDAR Payload](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-wingtra-drone-LIDAR-sensor-output-screen-2.png?resize=800%2C534&ssl=1)
This isn't the only LiDAR news. On February 12, Zurich-based Wingtra launched its LIDAR drone solution. Wingtra is already known for its WingtraOne GEN II drone, an advanced, easy-to-use drone.
With the introduction of LIDAR sensors designed by Wingtra, these drones have opened up even more use cases. Drones were already a mapping tool for photogrammetric analysis in the workplace, but new LIDAR payloads provide a comprehensive solution that covers everything from the initial discovery phase through project implementation and infrastructure maintenance.
Wingtra LIDAR provides a vertical accuracy of 3 cm (1.2 inches), which has been validated by major customers at the highest range at a flight height of 60 m (200 feet).
BlueHalo Acquires Eqlipse
Here's some big news for the defense industry, specifically the counterdrone industry. On February 13, Blue Halo announced plans to acquire Eqlipse, which could become a defense technology powerhouse.
BlueHalo has been around since 2019 and has grown into a key partner for the DoD. This includes serving as prime contractor on large contracts such as the Space Force's $1.4 billion Satellite Communications Augmentation Resources Program. When it comes to drones, BlueHalo's claim to fame includes the first successful deployment of a high-energy laser counter drone system using the LOCUST system. It is also a leader in radio frequency counter drones. The company has deployed more than 1,000 systems to protect warfighters and critical infrastructure from drone threats.
This acquisition will accelerate BlueHalo's technological advancements, especially in the drone space. That's because once the deal is complete, BlueHalo will hold nearly 90 patents and employ more than 200 Ph.D.
MatrixSpace radar begins shipping
![2024 Drone Technology MatrixSpace Radar](https://www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MatrixSpace-Radar-Graphic-2024-900x600.png)
![2024 Drone Technology MatrixSpace Radar](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MatrixSpace-Radar-Graphic-2024.png?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
MatrixSpace Radar is currently shipping to commercial and public institutions in the United States and approved international countries. MatrixSpace Radar claims to be the smallest, lightest, lowest cost, high performance radar. It also recently received approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
Made-in USA radar systems are valuable tools for providing situational awareness of air and ground objects regardless of lighting and weather conditions. This is important to better support Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights (and of course overall general aviation safety) as well as companies researching drone detection and Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) capabilities.
BlueHalo launches VigilantHalo drone air traffic control software
On February 8, BlueHalo released software called VigilantHalo. The software is designed to act as an air traffic control system. This is useful for beyond-line-of-sight drone flight and as a counter-drone tool. This functionality allows users to customize it for use cases such as disaster response or critical infrastructure defense.
Flying star capable of launching new payloads
![Elios 3 drone flight castle](https://www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Elios-3-water-infrastructure_2-900x600.jpg)
![Elios 3 drone flight castle](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedronegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Elios-3-water-infrastructure_2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Maybe we should save this until March. But we couldn't wait. Flying Sung, famous for its indoor drones designed to excel in tight spaces (thanks to the cage surrounding the propeller), gave us a strong hint that we couldn't overlook.
At its annual user conference on March 6, 2024, Flyability already broke the news that it will be launching a new payload designed for the modular design of the Elios 3 drone. Details are sparse, but Flyability calls it “a major innovation in non-destructive testing (NDT), improving safety and data access in the field.”
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