2 firms to work with Hong Kong’s PolyU on new drone take-off forecast tool
- DAMODA HK
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
Companies and institution will also develop anti-jamming technology for devices, after two shows cancelled over National Day holiday
Two companies have signed a memorandum with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to release a drone take-off probability forecast tool next year and develop anti-jamming technology for the devices, following the cancellation of two highly anticipated shows over the National Day holiday due to meteorological factors.
The Drone Takeoff Reliability Index, which will consider multiple factors including weather, real-time astronomical data and the distribution of satellites, is designed to provide a standardised indicator of the success rate for scheduled drone shows.
The index is scheduled for data collection and processing in the first quarter of 2025, with discussions planned in the fourth quarter regarding the announcement channels for various low-altitude economic associations and government departments.
“It is like a weather forecast and we can tell the public in advance about what the chances are to see a successful drone show,” Wen Weisong, assistant professor at PolyU’s department of aeronautical and aviation engineering, said at a memorandum signing ceremony on Wednesday to mark the collaboration.
Under the memorandum, Wen and other researchers in his department will work with two drone companies to examine the potential factors that can affect drone safety and develop an algorithm to forecast take-off probability.
The team will also explore new technologies to enhance the reliability of drone shows, including methods to improve the anti-jamming capacity of drones, so they can receive satellite signals amid interference.
Local drone show operator X Social Group and another major industry player, Shenzhen Damoda Intelligent Control Technology, will share their data and experimental results with the researchers.
Samuel Lam Hon-yuen, CEO of X Social Group, said that a similar measure already existed within the industry for reference. However, with the support of PolyU, the new index will be more robust and authoritative, enabling organisers to make informed decisions about whether a show needs to be cancelled in advance.
“The index will provide objective quantitative standards for the industry, which will not only help the Hong Kong government formulate more effective low-altitude economic development strategies but also help the city occupy a pivotal position in the global drone industry,” he said.
“Low altitude” refers to airspace within a kilometre (0.6 miles) of the ground and the low-altitude economy encompasses all airborne economic activity within this area, including drones and flying cars.
X Social Group is applying to be part of the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox, a trial programme which aims to assist the government in testing airspace operations and infrastructure, and developing policies and regulatory guidelines for the industry.
The sandbox is open for applications until December 31 and results for the first batch of participants will be announced in the first quarter of next year.
Lam noted that Hong Kong would be the first regional government to publish this kind of industrial standard in drone operations if the government adopted the index under its programme.
Justin Yeung Chun-yu, director of the board office of the second company, Shenzhen Damoda Intelligent Control Technology, said the new index would be “a milestone for Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy because no objective quantitative standard has been set for the industry”.
Yeung said that the forecast tool could be used not only for drone shows but also be expanded to assist in other areas such as transport and delivery.
His company handled the National Day drone show on October 1, which was cancelled just minutes before it was set to begin, as the devices were unable to receive strong satellite positioning signals due to “ionospheric scintillations” over Victoria Harbour.
The cancellation of that drone show occurred a day after another had to be scrapped in the West Kowloon Cultural District.
Source from South China Morning Post, Jiang Chuqin