Israel\u2019s National Drone Initiative advances to next level <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the Israel National Drone Initiative (INDI), demonstrations of flights with innovative aircrafts were held for the first time in Israel: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing), an autonomous aircraft that can carry passengers and heavy cargo is expected to serve as public transportation in the aerial dimension. Israel\u2019s National Air Drone Initiative (INDI) has taken a significant step forward with another week of flight tests and demonstrations simultaneously taking place at various locations throughout Israel. The initiative is a partnership between government entities led by the Ministry of Transportation, the Israel Innovation Authority, Ayalon Highways Ltd., and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI). The goal of the initiative is to support and promote an ecosystem through technology, regulation, and infrastructure for the use of advanced flight vehicles. The initiative is focused on preparing the airspace for drone flights, with the intention of alleviating traffic congestion on Israel’s roads, providing commercial and public services more efficiently, and creating a global competitive advantage for Israeli high-tech companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The initiative has been operating since 2019, with over 60 million shekels being invested in the next two years when test flights will be conducted on a large number of aircrafts which will be able to transport people and goods in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the tests and experimental flights conducted throughout Israel last week, 11 drone operating companies and supporting companies operated in the airspace, conducting complex experiments to promote operational capabilities. Highlights include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n These flights and tests contribute to advancing the development and implementation of innovative drone technologies in Israel. Several companies are participating in the drone initiative that began in 2019. These include Airways Drones Ltd, F.T. Aerial Solutions Ltd, Elsight, AGL, Air Taxi Israel (ATI), Down Wind, BROOK, Highlander Aviation, Cando Drones, and RoboTiCan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister of Transportation, Brig. Gen. (Res) Miri Regev<\/strong>: \u201cUnder my leadership, the Ministry of Transportation is working to strengthen Israel’s position as a global development center for vehicle and transportation technologies, including aerial transportation. To this end, we promote joint experiments to test innovative technologies, such as Israel\u2019s National Drone Initiative. This is the first initiative of its kind in the world for an extensive and multidisciplinary examination of new technologies, including the transportation of cargo and later, people. Dror Bin, CEO of the Innovation Authority<\/strong>: \u201cIsrael is one of the global leaders in this field and today’s experiment is an important milestone in the National Drone Initiative which gained international acclaim. The significance of these demonstrations lies in creating a regulatory sandbox that allows all relevant stakeholders to have practical experience before establishing a regulatory infrastructure that enables a wider economically viable model. The ability of Israeli startup companies in the drone industry to experiment within this sandbox provides them with a competitive advantage in the global market.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Orly Stern, CEO of Ayalon Highways<\/strong>, said, \u201cThe National Drone Initiative is a project aimed at providing a variety of technological solutions to alleviate road congestion. The aircrafts being tested now will be able to bypass traffic jams, and ease congestion by removing cars and trucks from the roads in conjunction with air traffic management systems. This will create a variety of air transportation options for regular and emergency cargo transfers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first phase of the national drone initiative, which took place between 2019 and 2022, focused on small cargo flights. The current phase aims to increase payload capacity and range so that in the future, heavier cargo and passengers can be transported. Additionally, within the framework of the demonstrations, a “system of aerial routes in the skies” is being developed, enabling continuous flight operations in the airspace, allowing multiple drones and different aircrafts to fly simultaneously for various purposes, including healthcare, commerce, security, safety, and more. The Drone Initiative also addresses airspace regulation and the creation of regulatory infrastructure for autonomous flying vehicles for public benefit. Over the past three years, more than 19,000 sorties have been conducted in urban and rural areas as part of the initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFIRST AIR TAXI TEST CONDUCTED IN ISRAEL <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022Dronery, a subsidiary of Cando Drones, operated the EH-216S model manufactured by EHANG, while AIR flew the AIR ZERO model that is designed and manufactured in Israel. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe collaborative project examines all the aspects \u2013 including regulation and legislative changes \u2013 involved in the commercial operation of drones, as an additional tool to deal with congestion.
\u201cThis is a new, intriguing, and challenging world with unlimited possibilities for us. We will do everything to ensure that Israel continues to lead and be at the forefront of global research and development on land, air, and sea.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n