AT&T and Intel to Test Drones on LTE Network
Photo: AT&T
AT&T and Intel have agreed to test how unmanned operate on a network designed to connect devices to the ground. Both companies will be working to solve issues in space such as connectivity.
In order to access features such as live view of cameras and sensors on the drone or operating it beyond line of sight, a nationwide network like AT&T is required for connectivity, according to the company’s press release. The AT&T Internet of Things team and the AT&T foundry innovation center in Palo Alto, California, will be working with Intel to evaluate the performance of LTE in areas of high altitude to test video streaming, transmitting telematics and flight information.
Connecting drones over the network will aid in addressing many challenges, including safety and security concerns, real-time communications, potential interference with manned aircraft and supporting future capabilities as they are approved by the FAA.
“AT&T and Intel will be testing how the network can enable the most exciting business use cases for drones,” says Chris Penrose, senior vice president of IoT Solutions at AT&T. “Our LTE network is uniquely positioned to conduct industries like delivery, agriculture, construction and insurance. We’re using the network to transport important information, images and video quickly and efficiently — far beyond the boundaries of short range connectivity.
Anil Nanduri, vice president of the New Technology Group and general manager of New Markets within the Perceptual Computing Group at Intel, believes that this will push the boundaries of UAS and 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 be integrating new technologies and compute to UAVs,” he says.
At this week’s Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, attendees will get a first look at the Intel Drone Zone. Intel will showcase the Yuneec Typhoon H with Intel RealSense Technology UAS, which will stream video and telematics from the air over LTE and use the AT&T core network.
