Auterion has launched the new Skynode family of fully integrated avionics modules for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), providing a streamlined combination of flight controller, mission computer and wireless communications for manufacturers looking to bring enterprise-ready drones to market or retrofit existing products.
Skynode simplifies the process of integrating drone hardware and software, delivering the full capabilities and features of Auterion’s enterprise software platform. Leveraging more than a decade of industry development and experience, the system combines the latest Pixhawk flight controller (FMUv5x standard) with a mission computer and wireless networking capabilities. (LTE, WiFi). It also comes pre-installed with the Auterion Enterprise PX4 operating system, providing a comprehensive payload SDK, a communication interface for remote operations, and real-time video over LTE.
Skynode also enables other essential unmanned aviation features such as obstacle detection and avoidance, VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry) positioning, Remote ID, and UTM (unmanned traffic management). Skynode is directly integrated with the Auterion Cloud, delivering predictive maintenance, aircraft and pilot management, compliance reports, and integrations into existing business workflows.
Skynode will initially be available in four different configurations:
- Enterprise module
- Certified module for U.S. government users
- Core board for efficient UAV airframe integration
- Module built by launch partner GE Aviation, with Run-time Assurance (RTA) for drone operations that go beyond what Part 107 FAA regulations allow and require special waivers
The Skynode reference design can also be licensed to Auterion customers to build their own implementations for even deeper integration.
Lorenz Meier, co-founder of Auterion, commented: “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.”
Larry Martin, vice president of Avionics Systems for GE Aviation, stated: “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.”
Made in the U.S., Skynode is designed and built with the flexibility to meet ever-evolving standards in the U.S. drone regulatory landscape.
