Ondas Holdings' American Robotics Achieves Major Milestone with FAA Waiver for Optimus System Operations Beyond the Visual Line of Sight
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Insights
The recent FAA waiver obtained by American Robotics, a subsidiary of Ondas Holdings Inc., represents a significant development in the commercial drone industry. This waiver allows for the expansion of drone operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) in complex airspace, which is a substantial leap from the traditional line-of-sight flying restrictions. This change could potentially increase the efficiency and scope of drone applications in various sectors, including infrastructure inspection, emergency response and environmental monitoring.
From a market perspective, the ability to operate drones BVLOS opens up new revenue streams for American Robotics and its parent company Ondas. It can create a competitive advantage by positioning the company as a leader in autonomous drone technology, potentially attracting partnerships, government contracts and private sector clients seeking advanced aerial data solutions. The impact on the stock market could be positive as investors typically respond well to technological advancements that promise new market opportunities and revenue growth.
The BVLOS waiver is a critical milestone in the aviation industry, particularly for unmanned aerial systems. It signifies a shift towards greater autonomy in drone operations, which has been a regulatory and technological challenge for years. The waiver indicates that American Robotics' systems meet the FAA's stringent safety requirements, including a robust Safety Management System (SMS) and a detect-and-avoid system, which are essential for integrating drones into national airspace without compromising safety.
For the aviation industry, this development could set a precedent, potentially influencing future FAA regulations and encouraging other companies to invest in similar technologies. The long-term implications include the possible reshaping of how aerial data is collected and how infrastructure and environmental monitoring are conducted, leading to broader adoption of drone technology across various industries.
The financial implications of the FAA waiver for American Robotics and Ondas Holdings are multifaceted. In the short term, the news could lead to an uptick in investor confidence, potentially reflected in Ondas's stock price due to anticipated growth in the subsidiary's operations and sales. Over the long term, sustained leadership in drone autonomy could result in American Robotics securing a larger market share within the drone industry.
The waiver's validity until 2028 provides American Robotics with a substantial time frame to capitalize on its early-mover advantage, refine its technology and expand its customer base. The company's ability to demonstrate and log automated flight operations could also streamline future FAA certifications, thereby reducing regulatory drag and accelerating time-to-market for new applications and services.
Waiver highlights American Robotics' leadership in defining truly remote commercial drone operations in complex airspaces, enabling Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operations beyond visual line of sight of the remote Pilot in Command (PIC)
Pivotal moment for American Robotics and the future of autonomous drone technology, shaping a future where drones are indispensable tools for enhancing safety and efficiency in delivering aerial security and data services
MARLBOROUGH, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2024 / Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) ("Ondas" or the "Company"), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, American Robotics Inc. ("American Robotics"), has received a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing for remote drone operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) in complex airspace, marking another milestone in its journey to unlock routine autonomous drone operations for infrastructural tasks. Together with the FAA Type Certification of the Optimus aircraft, American Robotics is planning to utilize this waiver to demonstrate and log its automated flight operations, for future progress with the FAA that will enable full drone autonomy based on its best-in-class drone technology and airworthiness levels.
This milestone highlights American Robotics' commitment to innovation and safety and leadership within the industry. The BVLOS waiver, effective from January 31, 2024, until January 31, 2028, sets a new standard for autonomous drone operations, enabling Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operations beyond the visual line of sight of the Remote Pilot in Command (PIC).
"This approval represents a pivotal moment for American Robotics and the future of autonomous drone technology," stated Tim "T3" Tenne, CEO of American Robotics. "Our dedication to advancing autonomous drone technology emphasizes our commitment to shaping a future where drones are indispensable tools for enhancing safety and efficiency in delivering aerial data."
American Robotics' Optimus System, the only Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) platform with a drone Type Certified by the FAA as airworthy, along with its advanced automation and artificial intelligence, reshapes drone operations across the spectrum in both commercial and defense sectors. From infrastructure inspection to emergency response, environmental monitoring, security, and situational awareness, the Optimus System offers a complete, turnkey system capable of satisfying requirements for automated aerial security, data collection and analysis.
With a robust Safety Management System (SMS) approach that includes a multi-layered airspace risk mitigation detect-and-avoid system, the newly announced BVLOS waiver issued by the FAA allows for remote operations without requiring Visual Observers (VOs) further enabling rapid and reliable operations for our customers and further demonstrating American Robotics' dedication and unwavering commitment to aviation safety.
Looking ahead, American Robotics remains committed to driving innovation and shaping the future of autonomous drone operations. By maintaining high standards and delivering aerial security and actionable data, the company aims to seamlessly integrate drones into daily operations, revolutionizing industries and improving lives.
About Ondas Holdings Inc
Ondas Holdings Inc. ("Ondas") is a leading provider of private wireless data solutions via Ondas Networks Inc. ("Ondas Networks") and commercial drone solutions through American Robotics, Inc. ("American Robotics" or "AR") and Airobotics LTD ("Airobotics"), which we operate as a separate business unit called Ondas Autonomous Systems.
Ondas Networks is a developer of proprietary, software-based wireless broadband technology for large established and emerging commercial and government markets. Ondas Networks' standards-based (802.16s), multi-patented, software-defined radio FullMAX platform enables Mission-Critical IoT (MC-IoT) applications by overcoming the bandwidth limitations of today's legacy private licensed wireless networks. Ondas Networks' customer end markets include railroads, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, aviation (including drone operators) and government entities whose demands span a wide range of mission critical applications.
Our Ondas Autonomous Systems business unit designs, develops, and markets commercial drone solutions via the Optimus System and the Iron Drone Raider™ (the "Autonomous Drone Platforms"). The Autonomous Drone Platforms are highly automated, AI-powered drone systems capable of continuous, remote operation and are marketed as "drone-in-a-box" turnkey data solution services. They are deployed for critical industrial and government applications where data and information collection and processing are required. The Autonomous Drone Platforms are typically provided to customers under a Data-as-a-Service (DAAS) business model. American Robotics and Airobotics have industry leading regulatory successes which include a first of its kind FAA Type Certification for the Optimus System and having the first drone system approved by the FAA for automated operation beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) without a human operator on-site.
Ondas Networks, American Robotics and Airobotics together provide users in oil & gas, rail, mining, agriculture, public safety and other critical infrastructure and government markets with improved connectivity and data collection and information processing capabilities.
For additional information on Ondas Holdings, visit www.ondas.com or follow Ondas Holdings on X formerly known as Twitter and LinkedIn. For additional information on Ondas Networks, visit www.ondasnetworks.com or follow Ondas Networks on X and LinkedIn. For additional information on American Robotics, visit www.american-robotics.com or follow American Robotics on X and LinkedIn. For additional information on Airobotics, visit www.airoboticsdrones.com or follow Airobotics on X and LinkedIn.
Information on our websites and social media platforms is not incorporated by reference in this release or in any of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law.
Contacts
IR Contact for Ondas Holdings Inc.
888.350.9994
ir@ondas.com
Media Contact for Ondas
Preston Grimes
Marketing Manager, Ondas Holdings Inc.
preston.grimes@ondas.com
SOURCE: Ondas Holdings Inc.
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