Google makes a deal with Nasa to allow it to secretly test its Drones
Google's agreement with Nasa has allowed it to skirt strict aviation regulations
Google has been secretly testing its drone delivery program and averting aviation regulations after striking a deal with Nasa to fly over private land.
The program, named Project Wing, has been flying drones in the US for more than a year now after striking a deal with Nasa allowing it to bypass strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations preventing companies form using US airspace.
The loophole comes in the form of Nasa’s Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) which was originally intended for government agencies to allow public bodies such as the military, state universities and police or fire departments to experiment with unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It will see the two conduct joint field tests where Nasa will issue certificates of approvals to operate.
Google revealed Project Wing last year with a promotional video showing a farmer in rural Australia receiving a packet of dog treats by air. The company plans to use the drones to deliver items to shoppers as well ferrying vital supplies to locations cut off by natural disasters.
The Guardian revealed that Google recently filed documents with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its drones to use cellphone singals. The testing, which is expected to last around six months, will be carried out on a remote stretch of privately owned land near Merced, California. It will look at whether the drones can use 4G and LTE radio frequencies for automatic air traffic control. This would allow them to receive flight plans as well as directions from computerised air traffic control systems.
Google requested the documents submitted to the FCC to be kept confidential because they represent a “significant commercial value”. The company stated that the release of such information would “provide valuable insight into Google’s technology innovations and potential business plans and strategies”.
The drones were developed at Google’s secretive X Lab which has now been integrated into Google’s new Alphabet holding company. Technical details revealed that they are capable of speeds of up to 100 mph, can fly as high as 120 meters (400 ft) and weigh less than 25kg.
It is not the first time that a company has found a way round FAA regulations. Amazon was issued a waiver called a “333” in April for research and development of its Prime Air delivery drones. The FAA made public a requested from Google for a Section 333 exemption to use its drones to perform aerial data collection, and conduct research and development.