AT&T, Intel to test UAVs

22nd February 2016 - 11:15 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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AT&T and Intel plan to test UAVs on a network that connects devices on the ground, AT&T announced on 22 February. The two companies will work to solve connectivity and other major issues.

The AT&T Foundry innovation centre in Palo Alto, California and the AT&T Internet of Things (IoT) team will work with Intel to check the performance of the LTE network at higher altitudes. They will evaluate how higher altitude affects video streaming, transmitting telematics and flight information.

UAV connectivity over the network will aim to address several challenges within the category, such as real time communications, safety and security concerns, supporting future capabilities and potential interference with manned aircraft.

Chris Penrose, senior vice president, IoT solutions, AT&T, said: ‘Our LTE network is uniquely positioned to connect industries like delivery, agriculture, construction and insurance. We’re using the network to transfer important information, images and video quickly and efficiently — far beyond the boundaries of short range connectivity.’

Anil Nanduri, vice president, new technology group and general manager, new markets, perceptual computing group, Intel, said: ‘This engagement pushes the boundaries in the UAV industry and will pave the way to a connected world in the Internet of Things.

‘Intel believes UAVs have great potential, from inspections, precision agriculture to deliveries of consumer goods and providing emergency disaster relief. We want to grow this market through our collaborations and by integrating new technologies and compute to UAVs.’