Cellular connected drones to provide aid in mission critical services [video]

Stranded and in need of medical help — it’s a scenario we all hope that we never experience, but it happens. The good news is that as the technology for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) continues to develop, these UASs, or drones, may soon be able to provide necessary aid should we ever be in such a position.

Before drones can be deployed for deliveries, inspections, and search and rescue missions, we need to ensure that a foundation of highly secure and reliable connections exist. Drones will need to utilize established networks around the world, and be able to maintain their connections even when they’re beyond the operator’s line of sight when such operations are permitted under applicable regulations.

In September of 2016, Qualcomm Technologies began working toward the goal of wide-scale deployment, collaborating with AT&T to test UASs on commercial 4G LTE networks to analyze the ways drones can safely operate on current and future commercial networks, including 5G.

For the trial, we’re using the Qualcomm Snapdragon Flight drone platform. The developer kit provides robust connectivity and advanced software, combining photography, navigation, and communication technologies in a single integrated board.

Want to see what that future looks like? Check out the video to see the strides we’re making and how drones will soon aid in emergencies, even in the remotest of places.

Qualcomm Snapdragon Flight is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.