Auterion introduces Skynode for UAS manufacturers

May 5, 2020 | AUVSI News

Auterion has introduced Skynode, a first-of-its-kind reference design of a fully integrated and connected family of drone avionics modules that offers manufacturers a variety of benefits. 

By helping to lower costs, save time, and reduce overall risk, Skynode streamlines the process of bringing enterprise-ready drones to market or retrofitting existing products, the company says. It also breaks through the complexity of integrating drone hardware and software while leveraging the full capabilities and features of the company’s enterprise software platform.

Skynode was built by the creators of Pixhawk, so it leverages a decade-plus of industry development and experience. Combining the latest Pixhawk flight controller (FMUv5x standard), mission computer, and wireless networking (LTE, WiFi), Skynode also comes pre-installed with the Auterion Enterprise PX4 operating system, resulting in a comprehensive payload SDK, the communication interface for remote operations, and real-time video over LTE.

Some of the other capabilities that Skynode enables include detection and avoidance, VIO positioning, Remote ID, and unmanned traffic management (UTM). Additionally, it is directly integrated with the Auterion Cloud, which enables predictive maintenance, aircraft and pilot management, compliance reports, and integrations into existing business workflows.

“Built on top of open standards like FMUv5x, PX4, and MAVLink, Skynode with Auterion PX4 enables drone manufacturers to rapidly enter new markets by making their products compatible with an ecosystem of payloads, components, services, and workflow integrations that give companies the tools they need to deploy large fleets of drones,“ explains Lorenz Meier, co-founder of Auterion.

Skynode is launching in four configurations: an enterprise module, a module certified for U.S. government users, the core board for tighter airframe integration, and a version built by launch partner GE Aviation with Run-time Assurance (RTA) for drone operations that go beyond what’s allowed under Part 107 and require special waivers. Auterion says the Skynode design can also be licensed to its customers, which allows them to build their own implementations for even deeper integration.

“GE Aviation’s new RTA product, combined with the Skynode reference design, is available to drone manufacturers and operators and will help them meet regulatory requirements for a multitude of BVLOS missions and flights over people including commercial and humanitarian deliveries, mapping and inspections,” says Larry Martin, vice president of Avionics Systems for GE Aviation.