Videosoft Global‘s CEO Stewart McCone agreed to sit with UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com to answer our technological questions in depth. This included delving into the company’s role in the video-streaming industry within the unmanned market, exciting partnerships formed throughout the last year, future plans for 2025 and beyond, and more.
Read on to learn about Videosoft Global’s innovative solutions, and to gain the company’s insights into what comes next for the unmanned systems and drone industry as a whole.
What role does Videosoft Global play in supporting critical real-time decision-making for operators of unmanned systems through your low-bandwidth video streaming solutions?
As unmanned technology evolves, unmanned system users must focus on enhancing autonomy and improving connectivity and sustainability to stay ahead. However, worryingly, many Video Management Systems (VMS) still struggle to adapt to dynamic environments — often making constant connectivity unfeasible. Making real-time viewing of remote sites over satellite, cellular, and mesh RF networks possible is where Videosoft bridges the gap.
Videosoft’s low bandwidth video streaming platform is redefining unmanned situational awareness across various mission-critical applications. Prime examples of this technology in action include real-time surveillance on remote unmanned oil platforms, onshore wellhead monitoring, backhaul of CCTV to recall operational and HSE events onboard remote vessels, and integrated AI facial recognition to enhance airport security.
While many systems consider ‘low bandwidth’ to be a few hundred kbps, Videosoft’s protocols enable streaming with as little as 1 kbps, scaling up to full HD. As a result, when other systems falter or cease to work in the toughest environments, Videosoft maintains actionable video quality no matter what. The solution dispels the myth that “it cannot be accomplished” into a dependable method for image delivery.
Where ultra-low bandwidth, real-time video is required, Videosoft is set apart by its ability to provide a continuous live video feed regardless of the bandwidth or lack of infrastructure. Supported by a full suite of advanced, real-time visualization and enhancement tools.
Similar to the way social media has made it easier to connect with friends and family around the world, Videosoft Global is a prime catalyst for change in ultra-low bandwidth environments where uninterrupted real-time video transmission is vital.
Can you provide some specific examples of how Videosoft’s technology has been deployed in unmanned aerial, land, or maritime applications this year?
Here are five specific examples of our adaptive video compression and transmission technology in action this year as they open up limitless possibilities in mission critical unmanned applications worldwide.
In the oil and gas industry, Videosoft has been working with global energy suppliers and USV specialists. Utilizing our low bandwidth video streaming platform, an extensive pipeline route survey was successfully performed in West Africa — maintaining high levels of visual integrity throughout the inspection and providing a welcomed economic boost to the area.
The world’s largest shipbuilder has integrated Videosoft’s technology to advance the world’s first commercialization of Level 3 autonomous navigation, successfully obtaining approval in principle (AIP) from the Korean Register (KR) and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR). Ultra-low bandwidth live monitoring maximises safety, efficiency, and cargo space, in the commercial shipping industry, whilst minimizing operations costs and emissions.
A leading developer and manufacturer of autonomous exploration equipment has incorporated the Videosoft technology to accelerate the launch of its first fully autonomous drill rig, designed for mining. This reduces the reliance on human monitoring, enhancing operational efficiency, and minimizing downtime and data transmission costs.
Commissioned by the Navy, an Australian Subsea Survey and Geophysics Specialist successfully integrated Videosoft’s low bandwidth video streaming platform to improve remote USV subsea survey operations for marine research — enhancing control and communications between onshore and offshore teams, streamlining workflows, and reducing offshore personnel to access substantial cost savings.
A leading European drone manufacturer successfully integrated the Videosoft solution into their fleet of heavy-payload/medium-range drones (UAVs), supporting complex unmanned airborne missions from covert tactical operations to remote energy infrastructure inspections. Videosoft integration enables their customers to maximise drone airtime, visual accuracy, and situational awareness and reduce the cost of real-time streaming via LTE networks.
You have been involved in an impressive number of partnerships this year – can you share details about some of the collaborations that you’re especially proud to have been a part of?
Supporting future-ready remote monitoring capabilities for all unmanned systems, each of our esteemed partners contributes an additional dimension to the Videosoft ecosystem of remote surveillance solutions. Prominent collaborations that stand out include:
Videosoft, Gotonomi & Viasat Drone Inspection & Surveillance Bundle
To celebrate Gotonomi’s UAV terminals achieving the first approval for Regional Class 4 operations, we launched a special inspection and surveillance bundle at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas. Integrated into Gotonomi’s Velaris Multi-Link satcom module, this new solution is particularly beneficial for BVLOS operations as it addresses scenarios where conventional communication methods fall short.
Designed to simplify video live-streaming over satellite for UAV operators and accelerate the adoption of BVLOS operations worldwide, this partnership represents a significant leap forward in mission critical UAV video capabilities.
SightLine Applications Embeds Videosoft Directly Into Camera System
Earlier this year, we partnered with leading onboard video processor developers Sightline Applications. Successfully integrating the Videosoft solution into SightLine’s 4100-OEM hardware platform, this enables their customers to access high-quality, real-time video processing over wireless networks with bandwidth constraints.
Compatible with most drone cameras, using the lowest bandwidth possible helps optimize video-enabled drone designs and analytics at the edge in real-time via lower data transmissions costs, lower power consumption, and increased accuracy and responsiveness thanks to robust wireless connectivity.
Blue Sky Network & American Aerospace Drones Granted 1st FAA Waiver for BVLOS Commercial Operation, in Collaboration With Videosoft
Embedded into Blue Sky Network’s Skylink® 7100 satcom terminal and leveraged by their exclusive partner network, Videosoft’s ultra-low bandwidth technology played a key role in American Aerospace achieving the first BVLOS waiver from the FAA in the US.
Serving as a start to an industry-recommended minimum equipment list for the drone industry and the BVLOS waiver process, full details on the mission can be found here.
BVLOS applications are continually being affected by network interference, causing latency and throughput issues. Verified by the FAA as technology that meets stringent safety and regulatory standards for commercial BVLOS drone operations, Videosoft solutions have been designed specifically to overcome these issues and maintain real-time video streaming to operation centers in the toughest conditions.
Can you share any of Videosoft Global’s plans for 2025 and beyond?
We’re dedicated to innovation and user satisfaction. By investing in the Videosoft platform, we’ll continue to enhance our product with new features to meet market demands. We’re more than just an off-the-shelf solution; we’re a tailored solution that gives mission-critical operations a competitive edge.
We are currently conducting trials with several prominent marine robotics firms to facilitate the ongoing shift towards more advanced, AI-capable innovations. Used to detect and oversee potential threats in maritime environments, along with environmental risks and underwater obstacles, low bandwidth autonomous vessel surveillance is proven to enable faster responses and better decisions, whilst reducing downtime and data transmission costs.
As fully autonomous navigation approaches realization, we remain committed to investing in technology that will advance autonomous maritime operations in this increasingly competitive landscape.
What are your insights and predictions for the unmanned industry as a whole in the coming year?
Unmanned Military & Defense Operations
In 2025, we expect the global military drone market to rise, with the most growth experienced in North America.
As modern warfare advances, complex combat operations will be left with no option but to invest further into technology as part of their weapon stack. This is where we will see an increasing demand for BVLOS drone operations in the coming year. In order to adapt to modern threats and anticipate enemy movements, we believe the unmanned defense industry is headed towards increased integration with AI for accurate target identification and prioritization.
Commercial Drone Operations
Regulatory barriers will continue to be the primary challenge facing the drone industry. With this in mind, we believe customer acquisition will be a new concern to address in 2025. Global commercial drone traffic will become heavier in 2025, increasing the need for enhanced, real-time situational awareness and low bandwidth video transmission in congested airspace.
Planned for Q2 2025, the introduction of UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) by the CAA will help the UK drone industry catch up with the rest of the world.
Unmanned Public Safety Operations
LTE and 5G cellular network uptake will continue to increase and become more accepted as a credible public safety communications platform over traditional microwave networks.
Unmanned Maritime Operations
As the shipping industry progresses, in due course, we also believe video surveillance will likely become a standard requirement for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and for taking the time to speak with us — we are excited to see what achievements and developments the next year holds for Videosoft.
