Thales takes a key role in industrial drone project
The French multinational is set to provide the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) with an unmanned traffic management system (UTM) to handle flight authorisation, geographic information and network identification, and traffic information services.
Thales explained its UTM is the first step VTT is taking in Drolo 2, a project to develop and deploy automated drone systems.
Work is initially focused on U-Space Finland, a set of regulatory frameworks covering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which forms part of wider European initiatives to enable drone operations.
Thales stated the frameworks could pave the way for drones to be used in fields spanning 'logistics, agriculture, forestry, airport and construction operations'. Another element of the work involves creating a business environment for the UAV industry, with an overarching goal of putting Finland in the vanguard of drone launches and testing in compliance with European regulations.
A testing site is located near the city of Oulu, which Thales explained is an ideal proving ground due to having a 'medium-sized international airport, seaport, inhabited island', a mid-sized city centre and a 5G development centre.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Stock Image
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
33 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
France's Sanofi to acquire biotech firm Vicebio for $1.15 billion
French pharmaceuticals company Sanofi said on Tuesday it would acquire British private biotechnology firm Vicebio for a total of $1.15 billion, expanding its respiratory vaccine portfolio. Following the acquisition, Vicebio's non-mRNA candidate vaccine for treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) will be added to Sanofi's range. The Vicebio deal includes a potential milestone payment of up to $450 million based on development and research achievements, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. Sanofi will also obtain "Molecular Clamp" technology aimed at enabling quicker development of fully liquid combination vaccines that can be stored at standard refrigeration temperatures, eliminating the need for freezing or freeze-drying. The British company is the latest in a string of acquisitions by Sanofi, which recently finalised an up to $9.5 billion deal for U.S.-based Blueprint Medicines Corporation. Sanofi said that the acquisition will not impact its annual guidance.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
UK imposes sanctions on migrant smuggling bosses
Britain has launched a sanctions regime for people smugglers that it hopes will tackle a multibillion-dollar industry sending record numbers across its borders. Officials are targeting gang leaders, corrupt police officers and companies selling small boat equipment for Channel crossings. Those involved in the trade in Europe, the Middle East and beyond face having their assets frozen and being banned from travel to the UK. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said sanctions introduced to target anyone involved in assisting illegal immigration to the UK would be imposed as soon as Wednesday. The target group ranges from those involved in supplying and financing small boats, suppliers of fake passports, and middlemen putting cash through the hawala system, a legal money transfer system that enables the payments linked to Channel crossings. The first wave of sanctions will publicly name anyone sanctioned, so it will be illegal for UK businesses and banks to deal with the so-called Mr Bigs of the trade. First named The measure is expected to include more than 20 designations, and could include corrupt public officials and police officers in steps to tackle the multibillion-dollar industry. 'For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK,' Mr Lammy said. 'We will not accept this status quo. 'That's why the UK has created the world's first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers.' Legislation under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is designed to increase enforcement powers for police forces and partners to investigate and prosecute people smugglers. New sanctions aim to target organised crime gangs wherever they are in the world and disrupt their flow of cash, including freezing bank accounts, property and other assets, to hinder their activities. 'It will allow us to target the assets and operations of people smugglers wherever they operate, cutting off their funding and dismantling their networks piece by piece,' said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. 'There is no hiding place for those who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk for profit.' Experts gave the announcement a cautious welcome as the latest statistics showed more than 23,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of the year. The rate is running 50 per cent higher than last year, despite government promises to 'smash the gangs'. 'Targeting fixers and infrastructure suppliers aims to make them untouchable in the illegal migration business and represents a new front in the UK's efforts to control a business model that brings profit to the enablers and misery to those caught up in this crime,' said Tom Keatinge, director of the Centre for Finance and Security at the Rusi think tank.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Gold retreats from five-week high as investors book profits
Gold eased on Tuesday as investors booked profits after prices scaled a five-week high, while market participants focused on trade talks ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's August 1 deadline. Spot gold fell 0.3% to $3,385.20 per ounce by 0932 GMT. Earlier in the session, bullion hit its highest since June 17. U.S. gold futures were down 0.3% at $3,396.10. Gold prices edged lower amid profit-booking but remained close to the five-week high due to lingering uncertainty ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline, said Jigar Trivedi, a senior commodity analyst at Reliance Securities. "Gold is likely to stay bullish. A strong resistance is seen near $3,420. On the flip side, $3,350 is a support," he said. The U.S. dollar index steadied against its rivals. A stronger dollar makes greenback-priced gold more expensive for other currency holders. European Union diplomats said the bloc is exploring broader counter-measures against the United States as prospects for a trade agreement with Washington diminish. Trump has threatened 30% tariffs on European imports if no deal is reached before the August 1 deadline. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration prioritises the quality of trade deals over timing. Focus is also on the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting scheduled for next week, where the central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady for now and potentially begin cuts in October. Gold tends to perform well in a low-interest-rate environment and during times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Spot silver fell 0.3% to $38.74 per ounce, platinum was down 0.4% to $1,433.20 and palladium declined 1.8% to $1,242.54. Russia's Nornickel, the leading global producer of palladium, lowered its palladium output forecast, now expecting between 2.677 and 2.729 million ounces compared with the earlier estimate of 2.704-2.756 million ounces. (Reporting by Anmol Choubey in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Ishaan Arora; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Louise Heavens)
