The world’s first drone network launched at Antwerp Port:Drone Matrix,SkeyDrone, Proximus and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges have launched the ‘D-hive drone-in-a-box’ network in Belgium’s Antwerp Port, according to a press release, last week. The network consists of six autonomous drones which will perform 18 daily flights in the 120 squared km area of the Antwerp port. The drones will help facilitate “smooth, safe and sustainable operations in the complex,” by “enabling port authorities to manage, inspect and supervise the area” from an aerial perspective, according to the statement.

This will be the first ever implementation of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights on such a scale, according to the statement. The drones will be controlled remotely from a command and control center. The drones were built by Brussels-based drone software and hardware creator Skeydrone, and its framework was approved as appropriate and safe by the Belgian Civil Authority and European Union Aviation Safety Agency, who gave them the greenlight to begin operations, according to the release.

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