Dronecode project announces working groups, new members

Drones are becoming extremely popular – in both the consumer and business space. Soon we will have companies like Amazon and DHL making deliveries through drones.And Linux will be playing a very important role in our skies.

Dronecode, the Linux Foundation Collaborative project that is working on developing an open source platform for drones, today formed three technical working groups. These groups include:

MAVlink Camera Working Group: To assist camera manufacturers in implementing the MAVlink protocol in cameras. The group will also work with developers and manufacturers to expand the Dronecode platform so that it can support additional cameras and functions.

Airspace Working Group: To establish common data types, units and formats that all airspace providers can transmit and receive. The working group will also lead the discussion on best practices for how to ensure separation between aircraft and establish agreement on common response behavior.

Hardware Working Group: To establish mechanical and electrical standards for interfaces to the autopilot and the peripherals. This will create a more formal interface between hardware and software development and unite efforts between Dronecode members and the open source developer community working to advance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

The organization also announced 27 new members who joined the project, including silver members Aerotenna LLC, AirMap, Airphrame, Altitude Angel, AutoModality, BirdsEyeView Aerobotics, CUAV, Droidika, Dig.y.Sol, DroneDeploy, DroneWorks Inc., Emlid, EnRoute, Falcon Unmanned, Hex Technologies Limited, Incite Focus, InspecTools, Matternet, ProfiCNC, Sentera, Skedans, Yin Yan Tech US Inc. and Zubax. New sponsored members include Humanitarian UAV network, OpenTX Project, Stanford University Aerospace Design Lab and UAVCAN.

One of the founding members of the Dronecode project, Qualcomm, recently showcased itsLinux based Snapdragon Flight platform, which can fly autonomously, avoiding obstacles and 3D mapping the landscape.