In a strategic move, Swisscom Broadcast has partnered with Nokia to introduce a comprehensive drones-as-a-service network throughout Switzerland. The initiative aims to deploy 300 Drone-in-Box units, enhancing emergency response, perimeter protection, and infrastructure inspection. This collaboration highlights the growing integration of advanced technology into public safety and industrial applications, promising to optimize resources and bolster operational efficiency across various sectors. The deployment underscores the importance of leveraging cutting-edge drone technology for critical infrastructure and emergency services.
Nokia and Swisscom previously engaged in similar technological projects, but this marks their most extensive collaboration to date. Earlier initiatives focused on limited industrial applications and smaller-scale deployments. The current project significantly expands the scope, involving comprehensive nationwide coverage and integration with advanced computing systems like Nokia’s MXIE architecture. This broader implementation represents a notable escalation in both ambition and technological sophistication.
Advanced Drone Network for Nationwide Coverage
Nokia and Swisscom announced that the deployment will be accessible across all regions of Switzerland. The companies plan to work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with spectrum and aviation safety regulations. The network will utilize Nokia’s turnkey Drone-in-Box system, which includes the drone itself, a docking station, a ground control station, payloads equipped with video and thermal cameras, and relevant software and service components.
The system supports application programming interfaces (APIs) for third-party integrations, allowing seamless integration with traffic monitoring systems, video management software, dispatch solutions, and industrial inspection and process monitoring systems. Nokia also offers drones for warehouse inventory management, emphasizing the versatility of their drone technology.
On-Demand Drone Services for Public Safety
Public safety agencies in Switzerland will soon have the ability to request drone flights on demand, much like a ride-sharing service, through Swisscom Broadcast. This initiative aims to provide critical data and support to first responders, enhancing their situational awareness and operational efficiency. The drones will also inspect tall or hard-to-reach infrastructure, minimizing the risk for workers and improving safety standards.
Nokia’s drone networks are part of their mission-critical industrial edge computing architecture, enabling industrial customers to incorporate edge computing applications such as asset detection and the creation of 3D maps. Nokia emphasized that this collaboration will advance Industry 4.0 use cases and support beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) autonomous operations, as well as expanding 3GPP technologies for drone applications in Switzerland.
The collaboration between Nokia and Swisscom Broadcast aims to provide a robust, scalable drone network that enhances public safety and industrial operations across Switzerland. By integrating advanced drone technology with edge computing and regulatory compliance, the partnership seeks to set a new standard in drone-as-a-service offerings. This initiative not only underscores the potential of drones in emergency response and infrastructure inspection but also paves the way for future technological advancements in the sector.
