After almost a year of sustained trials in public safety operation, a Czech-based Artificial Intelligence company has had its drone remote operating software approved for commercial use in South Africa by the local aviation authority.
Since January last year, Czech Republic company GoodAI has been working with Community Crime Prevention (CCP), a non-profit organisation in the Hout Bay seaside suburb of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, as well as drone services company Integrated Aerial Systems to use drone technology to keep the local community safe.
And in December, following a demonstration in front of members from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, the company received its licence for pilots to operate drones from a remote operating centre thousands of kilometres away.
“We have just reached an exciting milestone,” the company announced when it received the good news.
“Our AI software GoodAI Groundstation has received approval from the South African Civil Aviation Authority for remote drone operations! This opens up new possibilities for how drones can be controlled and deployed at scale.
“In a live demonstration for the South African Civil Aviation Authority officials, our team successfully controlled a drone in South Africa from Prague – an impressive 9,500 km apart!
“From now on, a single pilot in a central control room can use GoodAI Groundstation to legally operate multiple drones stationed at different locations, transforming the possibilities for drone fleet management.”
This breakthrough was achieved in partnership with GoodAI’s local partners, Integrated Aerial Systems, the award-winning drone services company that at the time was refining its skills to add drone docking systems to its repertoire.
Last week, IAS expressed its elation at finally getting the greenlight to launch remote drone operations nationwide, saying that this licence was important in helping the company’s dream of providing, efficient, safe and cost saving operations to a wider reach of clientele.
As already mentioned, the technology is already making a difference in Hout Bay, where GoodAI and IAS first approached the CCP with their idea to supplement the latter’s efforts with more ground-breaking technology.
“GoodAI approached us early last year asking if drone technology could help in the fight against crime,” said CCP member JJ de Villiers.
“For the drone trials, we focussed on the hot spots in Hout Bay, specifically the main road and a few green belt areas at night.”
This collaboration resulted in a dozen high-impact operations in complex urban environments, including one that led to a suspect being arrested.
Said GoodAI; “We’ve also conducted numerous Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights and patrols. The project is now moving into its next phase, with local team members being trained for independent operations.
“With South African Civil Aviation Authority approval secured and real-world implementations underway, we’re excited to see how Groundstation will continue transforming drone operations across the world.
"Through our focus on AI and autonomy, we’re working to turn robots into true collaborative partners – intelligent companions that enhance human capabilities.”