Iris Automation pairs up with TruWeather Solutions

Accurate, low-altitude weather forecasting has been a challenge for drone operators, balloon pilots, agricultural applicators, and other low-altitude aviators for years. The biggest problem is a lack of reporting stations (automated or otherwise) that capture weather information and feed prediction models. That lack of data also affects the rest of aviation, including airline and general aviation operators who must make decisions based on a less-than-perfect understanding of the atmosphere.

The two companies announced April 18 that ground-based computer vision sensors deployed by Iris Automation will include integrated weather stations, combining airspace awareness and collision avoidance support with local weather information from an array of new sources. Iris Automation, citing FAA-funded research, noted that only 3 percent of the United States has accurate surface weather and cloud ceiling sensors in place.

“This is what we refer to as a data desert.” TruWeather CEO, Don Berchoff said. “Up to 40 [percent] of crewed aviation flights that are either canceled or delayed due to weather could have flown. Even higher scrub rates will occur for UAS’ flying beyond-visual-line-of-sight, with no pilot on board to spot problems, unless the surface and low altitude weather measurement gap can be closed… That’s where additional weather sensors come into play.”

The pair plan to integrate TruWeather’s weather sensors into Iris Automation’s camera-based passive detection ground network dubbed Casia G. A network of Casia G devices (consisting of cameras connected to computers programmed to recognize, identify, and track objects in the camera's view) covering a larger area becomes part of a “a ground-based detect and avoid solution."

Iris Automation explained the ground-based Casia system "leverages the same artificial intelligence and computer vision technology used in the company’s Casia series of onboard integrated systems" that use arrays of cameras to monitor airspace around an aircraft in all directions. "The Casia product line provides unparalleled situational awareness for intelligent decision-making, including alerts and manual or autonomous collision avoidance.”

Lori DeMatteis, vice president of sales, marketing and customer success at Iris Automation said in the press release that the ground-based network will help drive the expansion of drone operations beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS, "offering clients immediate value to ensure operational safety, and rapidly changing climate information for emergency preparedness activities, ensuring both public and personnel safety.”

The FAA currently approves BVLOS operations by uncrewed aircraft on a case-by-case basis with waivers, though many in the industry hope future rule changes will allow such operations to be conducted at scale.