Military Awakens To Revolutionary Power Of Artificial Intelligence
The Defense Establishment’s AI Awakening: A New Era of Innovation and Transformation
Recent …
16. July 2025
Revolutionizing City Skies: Vodafone And Manna Bring Drone Delivery Into The Mainstream
Urban Air Mobility Revolutionized by Vodafone and Manna
In recent years, urban air mobility (UAM) has gained significant attention as a potential game-changer in the logistics industry. With the growing demand for fast and efficient delivery services, companies like Vodafone and Manna are at the forefront of this revolution.
Vodafone’s Collaboration with Manna
The company recently collaborated with Manna Air Delivery to test a drone delivery system that utilized its mobile network to enable remote pilot operation beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). This technology allows drones to fly longer distances and operate safely, even in areas without direct visual contact.
The test took place at Manna’s facility in Moorock, Ireland, where the company used Vodafone’s 4G network to gather telemetry data from the drone. The data was then analyzed using aerial mobile coverage maps, ensuring a safe and connected flight path for the drone.
“This collaboration enables us to track and identify drones via the mobile network, even beyond visual line of sight,” said Alan Hicks, CTO of Manna Drone Delivery. “This enhances our secure systems for last-mile delivery.”
Vodafone’s Role in Enhancing Drone Safety
The company has been actively involved in researching and developing ways to enhance drone safety and operational efficiency. Vodafone conducted several trials, including the world’s first air traffic control drone tracking and safety system.
In addition to its work with Manna, Vodafone partnered with SkyDeck Technologies, a startup that developed an AI-powered drone tracking system. The system uses machine learning algorithms to predict drone flight paths and detect potential collisions.
Pan-European Mobile Networks
Anthony Chen, Project Lead at Vodafone Business, emphasized the importance of pan-European mobile networks in enabling drones to safely fly longer distances. “Our network allows drones to track for urban deliveries, healthcare logistics, or remote land surveys across multiple countries,” he said.
Vodafone’s goal is to support a long-range air traffic management system that can control the increase in BVLOS drones and other airspace users. This would enable two-way communication with drones using Vodafone’s network to limit collisions between multiple airspace users on a pan-European scale.
The Rise of Commercial Drones in Europe
As commercial drone usage continues to grow, there is an increasing need for effective air traffic management systems. The European Commission expects the number of commercial drones in Europe to nearly double by 2030, driven by advancements in drone technology and growing consumer demand for rapid delivery services.
FAA’s Drone Traffic Control System
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working on a drone traffic control system. Developed in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), the system aims to prevent collisions between drones and aircraft.
The system uses data-sharing technology to track flight plans and prevent mid-air encounters. Operators share information about their flight plans, and the system alerts them if they are approaching another drone or aircraft.
Importance of Standardization
As the drone industry continues to grow, there is an increasing need for standardization and cooperation among stakeholders. “We’re not just building a system, we’re creating a community,” said Robert Briggs, MAAP’s chief engineer.
The FAA aims to develop a playbook for managing this complexity, ensuring that drones can operate safely and efficiently across the globe.
Benefits of Low Earth Orbit Satellites
One area of focus for the future of drone delivery is the use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites can provide high-speed data transmission and enable drones to fly farther and faster than ever before.
Vodafone has been exploring the potential of LEO satellites, partnering with companies like OneWeb to develop advanced tracking systems that can utilize these technologies.
The Battle for Skies
As commercial drones continue to rise in number, air traffic management systems will become increasingly complex. The FAA’s drone traffic control system aims to address this challenge by using data-sharing technology to track flight plans and prevent mid-air encounters.
However, as the use of drones continues to grow, so too will the complexity of air traffic management systems. To address this challenge, companies like Vodafone and Manna are investing heavily in research and development to improve drone safety.
Drone Road Rage
Another potential issue facing drone operators is the risk of “drone road rage.” This phenomenon refers to the risk of mid-air encounters between drones, particularly when multiple drones are flying in close proximity.
However, as companies like Vodafone and Manna continue to develop advanced tracking systems, these risks will become increasingly manageable. By leveraging pan-European mobile networks and AI-powered drone tracking systems, these companies aim to increase the efficiency and safety of last-mile deliveries.
As the world of drone delivery continues to evolve, companies like Vodafone and Manna will play a critical role in shaping the future of urban air mobility. With their innovative solutions for safe and efficient urban air mobility, they are poised to transform the logistics industry forever.
The use of drones is expected to revolutionize the way goods are delivered, making it faster, cheaper, and more efficient than ever before. Companies like Vodafone and Manna are leading the charge in this revolution, developing cutting-edge tracking systems that can predict flight paths and detect potential collisions.
With pan-European mobile networks and advanced tracking systems, these companies aim to increase the efficiency and safety of last-mile deliveries. By leveraging these technologies, they will be able to support a long-range air traffic management system that can control the increase in BVLOS drones and other airspace users.
As the FAA continues to develop its drone traffic control system, we can expect to see significant advancements in air traffic management technology. One thing is certain: as drones continue to transform the logistics industry, companies like Vodafone and Manna will play a critical role in shaping the future of urban air mobility.
The collaboration between Vodafone and Manna marks an important step forward in the development of drone delivery systems. By leveraging pan-European mobile networks and advanced tracking systems, these companies aim to increase the efficiency and safety of last-mile deliveries.
As the world of drone delivery continues to evolve, we can expect to see significant advancements in air traffic management technology. With their innovative solutions for safe and efficient urban air mobility, companies like Vodafone and Manna will play a critical role in shaping the future of urban air mobility.
The development of advanced tracking systems is crucial in preventing collisions between drones and aircraft. By leveraging these technologies, companies like Vodafone and Manna can increase the efficiency and safety of last-mile deliveries.
As the drone industry continues to grow, there is an increasing need for standardization and cooperation among stakeholders. Companies like Vodafone and Manna are investing heavily in research and development to improve drone safety.
The collaboration between Vodafone and Manna highlights the importance of pan-European mobile networks in enabling drones to safely fly longer distances. With their advanced tracking systems, these companies aim to support a long-range air traffic management system that can control the increase in BVLOS drones and other airspace users.
As we look to the future of drone delivery, it is clear that companies like Vodafone and Manna will play a critical role in shaping the industry. By leveraging pan-European mobile networks and advanced tracking systems, they are poised to transform the logistics industry forever.
The use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites has significant potential for the future of drone delivery. With high-speed data transmission capabilities, these satellites can enable drones to fly farther and faster than ever before.
Vodafone’s exploration of LEO satellites is an exciting development in the world of drone delivery. By partnering with companies like OneWeb, Vodafone aims to develop advanced tracking systems that can utilize these technologies.
As the number of commercial drones in Europe is expected to nearly double by 2030, there is an increasing need for effective air traffic management systems. Companies like Vodafone and Manna are investing heavily in research and development to improve drone safety.
The collaboration between Vodafone and Manna highlights the importance of standardization and cooperation among stakeholders. By developing advanced tracking systems that can predict flight paths and detect potential collisions, these companies aim to increase the efficiency and safety of last-mile deliveries.
With pan-European mobile networks and AI-powered drone tracking systems, companies like Vodafone and Manna are poised to revolutionize the logistics industry. As we look to the future of drone delivery, it is clear that these companies will play a critical role in shaping the industry.