Dronetag, a leading Czech provider of Remote ID technology, has unveiled its latest product news – the
OEM solution for Direct Remote ID, called DRI. This device is designed for seamless integration into producing newly manufactured drones. It offers a cost-effective, lightweight, and user-friendly option to manufacture remotely identifiable drones. With the Dronetag DRI solution, manufacturers are on a frictionless path toward the production launch of Standard Remote ID (US) and C-class (EU) drones. Dronetag’s solution combines a comprehensive software platform with hardware modules that can be easily adjusted to the manufacturer’s needs, specifically regarding component size, production costs or accessibility covering a broader range of business cases. The Dronetag DRI is a small, single-sided board easily mounted in the desired location using double-sided tape or M2 screws. It is the simplest way to integrate Remote ID technology without extensive R&D and product testing. The DRI with 1.5 grams (0.05 ounces) is the lightest Remote ID product on the market. Together with minimal overall dimensions of 22.5 × 16 mm (0.89 × 0.63 inches), the impact on the drone SWaP characteristic is minimal. DRI has an external flash memory enabling pilots to sync their flight data with the Dronetag App, a key component of the Dronetag ecosystem. The multi-platform app manages settings and firmware updates, eliminating the need to disassemble the aircraft to reach the module. With the upcoming firmware update, drone manufacturers and resellers can remotely troubleshoot customer issues by downloading diagnostic Dataflash logs for inspection. “We feel confident to say that our solution is a game-changer for all drone manufacturers. The DRI solution for Remote ID is tearing down barriers to meet requirements set by the FAA, EASA and other regulators. We designed DRI as Plug & Play, eliminating the need for additional adjustments or settings. We are happy to provide support with the implementation and paperwork needed to obtain FAA approval or produce C-class drones as defined by EASA. Drone production is a complex discipline, but not everything must be developed from scratch. Typically, all drone TELEM/serial ports are already occupied, which is why Dronetag DRI utilizes the UART forwarding feature. All it takes is enabling port forwarding via Dronetag App and connecting DRI between the flight controller and serial peripheral, ensuring that the Dronetag device is not taking up any existing ports. DRI comes in two variations: with an external antenna port or a built-in antenna, and the drone manufacturer can choose which variation suits their needs. The single DRI starts at a pre-order price of 49 USD / 49 EUR. The price can vary with the increasing number of ordered pieces and custom modifications. First customers are already received DRI and Dronetag is accepting orders for 2023. The Dronetag DRI meets all requirements for Remote ID and conforms to globally recognized standards ASTM F3411-22 and ASD-STAN EN 4709-002, making it suitable for all regions adopting these standards. The DRI broadcasts data over Bluetooth 4 & 5 to a range of up to 3km. More details can be found on the Dronetag DRI website: https://dronetag.cz/products/dri
About Dronetag:
Dronetag is a manufacturer of remote identification devices for drone pilots and manufacturers. Its add-on transmitters add Remote ID capability to existing drones, while OEM modules use manufacturers who built them directly into their drones’ internal circuits. Dronetag devices transmit identification and location data to other airspace participants via Dronetag App, which offers advanced fleet management tools to professional pilots. The company’s vision of safer airspace relies on innovative unmanned traffic management and digitally visible drones. For more information on Dronetag and its Remote ID devices, visit: www.dronetag.cz
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Dronetag launches the Most Compact OEM Solution for Standard Remote ID and C-class Drones

Czech UAV tech company  Dronetag  is starting 2023 with the rollout of its new Direct  Remote ID  (DRI) product, designed as an ultra-small internal component for incorporation by drone manufacturers around the world. Dronetag  says its new DRI  unit is the world’s “the smallest and lightest device offering affordable Direct/Broadcast Remote capability,” and an ideal, ready-to-use component for drone manufacturers producing UAVs compliant with  remote ID  rules coming into force in the US, European Union, and elsewhere around the globe. Founded by Czech technological students doubling as avid drone pilots and DIY geeks, Dronetag initially produced its  Mini remote ID unit . That device (“about half the size a muesli bar,” according to the company) is externally mounted on craft by users wanting to immediately make their craft visible to other pilots or airspace monitors. Dronetag’s new DRI module shrinks that tech down to about the size of a US quarter or euro coin (0.89 × 0.63 inches for sticklers) for internal fitting by drone producers seeking compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Standard Remote ID and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) C-class regulations. The single-sided board is mounted inside drones using double-sided tape or M2 screws, and uses a UART forwarding feature via the previously released Dronetag App to establish connectivity between the DRI between the flight controller. That wireless communication means the device doesn’t need to be plugged into any of the limited ports inside UAVs. Dronetag notes that its app also manages settings and firmware updates for the new  DRI  product, eliminating any need to take a drone apart to get to and work with the module. The company adds that a nearing firmware update will also allow UAV manufacturers and resellers to remotely troubleshoot customer problems through associated diagnostic Dataflash logs for inspection. “We feel confident to say that our solution is a game-changer for all drone manufacturers,” the company says in a communique on the product – which is available to producers for a pre-order, per-unit price of pre-order price of $0.49 or €0.40 that may be modified for bulk purchases. “The DRI solution for Remote ID is tearing down barriers to meet requirements set by the FAA, EASA, and other regulators. We designed DRI as Plug & Play, eliminating the need for additional adjustments or settings.”
In addition to respecting US and EU  remote ID  regulations, Dronetag says its DRI product is adapted for deployment in all nations using F3411 or EN 4709-002 standards, including the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Dronetag releases ultra-small internal remote ID module for global drone producers

The global remote drone identification system market was valued at $2.8 million in 2021, and it is expected to reach $4.0 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2022-2032. The growth in the global remote drone identification system market is expected to be driven by the enforcement of remote drone identification system regulation and an increase in the number of drones. Market Lifecycle Stage
In the past decade, the number of drones has increased drastically due to their wide applications, such as entertainment, cargo delivery, hobby, mapping, surveying, and inspection. Since the number of drones is increasing drastically and the drone market is getting matured worldwide, regulatory agencies are focused on developing a framework to track and monitor drone activities. This will help the industry to enhance its operations beyond the visual line of sight and fly over people during certain events and parties. In addition, due to the increase in the number of drones, the traffic in the airspace is also expected to grow drastically, which will lead to drone collisions or accidents. In order to keep the airspace safe and secure, it is mandatory to track the activities of drones and their operators. To track drones, the regulatory agencies have come up with a solution known as a remote drone identification system, which will broadcast information such as drone identification (ID), drone location and altitude, drone velocity, control station location and elevation, time mark, and emergency status, which will help the government entities and security agencies to monitor drones and file case activities against the operator if they are flying illegally. This will reduce the cost and time for the government entities to conduct an investigation and find the anti-social elements quickly. In addition, the remote drone identification system manufacturers have developed modules by integrating both broadcast-based (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) and network-based (4th generation (4G), global system for mobile communications (GSM), and long-term evolution (LTE)) technologies to broadcast information. This might help them to sell the modules and capture the market across the world that uses broadcast-based and network-based remote identification technology. Impact
The global remote drone identification system market is observing rising investment across all the drone platforms, which drives the investments across the remote drone identification technology. The major challenge in developing remote identification technology is that there is no clear regulatory guidance on which technology to use to broadcast information. This leads the developer to integrate both broadcast and network-based technologies in the remote drone identification system, which increases the price of the system. In addition, the regulatory agencies have pushed the dates for making remote identification technology mandatory across all drones' platform which again creates unnecessary confusion in the market. This results in a sudden increase in demand for remote identification technology, which again results in an increase in the price of the remote drone identification system due to less supply. Recent Developments in the Global Remote Drone Identification System Market
In August 2022, INVOLI launched a new generation drone tracker, the LEMAN RemoteID, which allows drone operators to fly safely and according to regulations around the world. In addition, the device complies with the latest regulations and bears the Conformite Europeenne (CE)/Federal Communications Commission (FCC) labels. In July 2022, AIRmarket Inc. partnered with Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) and successfully conducted a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flight with the help of unmanned traffic management (UTM) for the Energy UTM Trials under the Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) program at the Suncor Fort Hills Mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta. In May 2022, Aloft Technologies, Inc. launched a new portal Aloft Geo Portal, which is a free tool to publish ground and airspace rule advisories to the Aloft data network, including B4UFLY. In addition, it fills the gap in integrating the drone and the lack of authoritative sources for local drone ground rules. In April 2022, Auterion Ltd. partnered with Elsight Limited to integrate Halo with Skynode due to its lightweight and small form factor, which provides ultra-reliable cellular connectivity across different carrier networks. In March 2022, Unifly nv partnered with ORKID for the safe and secure integration of drones in Colombian airspace and successfully conducted BVLOS missions through Unifly's unmanned traffic management technology. In February 2022, Dronetag s.r.o. launched a small and affordable remote ID device, Dronetag Mini, which has a long-lasting battery life of up to 14 hours for all drones. Demand - Drivers and Limitations
Need for Enabling Night and Overhead Operations
Future Regularization of Expanded Operations
Following are the challenges for the global remote drone identification system market:
Inadequate Supply for the Sudden Demand
Unclear Regulations and Standards
Opportunity for Drone Remote ID Manufacturers
Opportunity for UTM Platform Developers
Opportunity for Drone-Based Service Providers
Opportunity for Organizations with Accessible Free Fly Zones
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Outlook on the Remote Drone Identification System Global Market to 2032 - Featuring AirMarket, Auterion, Dronetag and Elsight Among Others

Drone maker Yuneec has struck a deal with Czech startup Dronetag to have Remote ID broadcast capabilities built into its new commercial hexacopter, the H850 RTK. This new partnership will also see Dronetag add-on devices for remote identification of drones being sold on the Yuneec online store.
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The post Yuneec H850 drone to feature built-in Dronetag Remote ID module appeared first on DroneDJ.

Yuneec H850 drone to feature built-in Dronetag Remote ID module

ESA Business Incubation Centre Prague opened an incubator in Brno in 2018. Photo: JIC – South Moravian Innovation Centre / ESA BIC Prague
The Czech Republic has worked hard to position Prague as a centre for space innovation, and a start-up ecosystem has now taken root in the city. Support from the European Space Agency (ESA), which the country joined in 2008, has played a significant role in that development. “At that time, we started to invest some money in space, especially in upstream activities,” said Václav Kobera, director of space activities at the Czech Ministry of Transport. In this context, upstream means everything that happens in space, while downstream refers to the use of data sent back to earth. “In the beginning, that investment was mainly in scientific activities. Some smaller companies already existed, then some others came along, or were attracted in from other fields, and we started to create a more robust ecosystem,” Kobera said. That included appointing an ESA Technology Broker and setting up a European Space Education Resource office, to help get young people interested in space. The key development came in 2016, when an ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) was established in Prague, with the support of the city and CzechInvest, the national inward investment agency. The centre in Prague is one of a network of ESA incubators across Europe, each embedded in a particular city or region, supporting entrepreneurs with new uses for space-based systems, or ideas for applying space technologies in other domains. Each of the centres provides two years of business incubation, including €50,000 for product and intellectual property development, connections to the broader ESA network, plus coaching, guidance and business support. In 2018, saw the formation of second Czech ESA BIC in Brno. “Now we have some 39 start-ups in total that have come through the ESA BIC programme in the Czech Republic ,” Kobera said. This includes upstream start-ups building cube and pseudo satellites, downstream companies using earth observation data, and ones applying space technologies in other areas, for instance manufacturing bikes from carbon fibre materials developed for space applications. Lift off
Before the ESA BIC in Prague was operational, Czech space start-ups tended to develop through international connections. Advacam is a good example, a 2013 spin-off from the Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics at the Czech Technical University (CTU) that also uses knowhow from the Medipix collaboration at CERN to build photon counting detectors and cameras for monitoring radiation in space. “From the beginning we’ve collaborated with the University of Huston, which in a way is the academic hand of NASA,” said Jan Sohar, co-founder and CEO of the company. His business experience, in industrial plastics, complemented the research background of Jan Jakubek from CTU, who became chief scientific officer. “Early on, we were certified as a prime sub-contractor for NASA regarding this photon counting camera technology. Then we stared to be more active in the European ecosystem, and about five years ago we received our first funded project for ESA,” Sohar said. Financially, this was enough to set Advacam on its feet. “Our company is still financed mainly from its revenue, and there is no external funding.”
Advacam has also expanded abroad. An early partnership with researchers in Helsinki, with a complementary start-up working on chip technology, led to a merger. In all, Advacam currently has 37 employees in Prague and 15 in Helsinki. Meanwhile, it has added to the Prague ecosystem with two spin-offs adapting its core technology for other applications. Radalytica produces robotic imaging systems for non-destructive testing, for example in the aerospace industry, and InsightART provides X-ray imaging services for art authentication and restoration. A third spin-off, Advascope , is developing detectors for electron microscopy in Brno, joining a cluster of electron microscope manufacturers in the city. French connection
ECOTEN Urban Comfort began life in energy auditing and green building but moved into space when a customer asked co-founder Jiří Tencar about assessing the impact of brownfield sites on the urban environment. The search for an answer led him to a research team in Nantes that had developed a simulation tool for urban heat islands. An agreement to commercialise this research tool followed, and two people involved with the Nantes research came to Prague to co-found the new start-up. One of them, Sagnik Bhattacharjee, had the idea of adding satellite data. “Microclimate simulation works on a neighbourhood scale, but in order to identify these neighbourhoods we need a much bigger picture at the city scale. Satellite imagery is perfect for that,” he said. Bhattacharjee also realised that cross-referencing satellite temperature measurements with social and demographic data would make it possible to produce an urban heat vulnerability map, showing areas where hot spots in a city coincide with at-risk social groups. Vienna commissioned a map from the company after hearing about the method in a climate hackathon. Prague and Las Vegas followed, the latter through American partner Fontis Technologies. Having developed a product for city governments, the company has now joined the ESA BIC in Prague to develop an application programming interface (API) that can provide tailor made data on heat vulnerability to other services. “The ESA BIC is providing funding for the development of this API, consultation on business development, and technical support,” said Bhattacharjee, who is now the company’s chief technology officer. Drone tracking
The ESA BIC was involved at an even earlier stage with Dronetag , which has developed a remote identification device for drones using satellite positioning data. This idea came from a group of CTU students who entered a space application hackathon organised by the ESA BIC in 2018. Lukáš Brchl, co-founder and now chief executive of Dronetag, an experienced drone pilot, saw a gap in the available technology and potential for a system to pinpoint drones flying in cities, and around airports and industrial installations. He also anticipated regulations that would require drone pilots and manufacturers to make their craft identifiable. The students won second prize at the hackathon but were not in a position to take their idea any further. “We had no finance, no experience, no team - basically nothing,” Brchl said. So the staff at the ESA BIC helped them set up a company while they ran the idea past some drone companies in the Czech Republic and beyond. The interest shown was enough to get them into the incubator. The university also proved supportive. “CTU really helped us in the beginning with facilities, with the loan of a professional drone that we could use for testing, and to photograph for marketing purposes,” Brchl said. “They also promoted us in the media, which raised our profile among CTU students and made hiring easier.”
With hardware to develop and build, money was tight from the start. Then the team won the Galileo masters EU-sponsored competition for projects using satellite navigation data. This gave Dronetag a further €62,000 to add to the €50,000 from the ESA BIC. “In the Czech Republic, this is enough to build a prototype,” Brchl said. The next struggle was to find a local contract manufacturer. Eventually Dronetag partnered with Y Soft in Brno, whose investment arm Y Soft Ventures added a further €600,000. That will support the company for the next couple of years, after which a substantial new investment will be required. Achieving that from Prague should not be a problem, Brchl thinks. “We are speaking with investors in the US, from Malaysia and Japan, so our geographic position really doesn’t make a difference for now.”
Pros and cons of Prague
Access to finance is one of the areas where Prague currently falls short. “The venture capital ecosystem here is not so well developed for technological projects,” said Sohar. “Investors have a lower level of knowledge when it comes to technology and are maybe more focused on short-term returns on investment.”
On the plus side, talent is affordable and abundant, and if the exact skills are not available locally, it is not too hard to persuade people to move. “Prague is located in the very centre of Europe, so it is convenient and the cost of living is less compared to other parts of Europe,” Bhattacharjee said. The city could reasonably expect to benefit from hosting space-related EU agencies, being home to the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Agency since 2012, and the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) since 2021. However, there is little experience or expectation of cross fertilisation among start-ups in the city. Only Lukáš Brchl of Dronetag has a positive story to tell. Contacts with GNSS gave his company an inside track on the Galileo high accuracy service, before details were widely available. “So we have been able to plan development in order to use this technology,” he said. For Kobera, who is also chair of the EUSPA administrative board, the important impact is on the city’s reputation. “The agency is growing, and it is growing in Prague,” he said. “That attracts attention, it attracts companies to come to the Czech Republic to cooperate here, and it attracts young people to work here in space.”
Innovation beyond space
Based on the example of the ESA BICs, the plan is to open incubators across the Czech Republic in other fields, such as artificial intelligence, the circular economy, and mobility. These are likely to be less rigidly connected than the ESA BICs to one municipality or region. “We know that there is an appetite in other cities, like Ostrava, Plzeň, and Liberec, but we are considering a new approach, where the incubator has a virtual seat in each place,” said Kobera. “We would like each hub to have an open door. Then, if we select a company that is outside of the municipality or the region, we can still fund it and bring it on board.”
These new incubators or hubs will also draw on the momentum generated in the space ecosystem. “We would be very happy if a start-up with ideas linked to space was incubated in the AI hub. That would broaden the portfolio of space companies and show that space is not something that is isolated, but linked to other sectors that are among our priorities.”
Elsewhere in the Ecosystem…
The European Commission has revealed the 37 members of its European Network of Innovative Higher Education Institutions , a forum to discuss how higher education can promote an innovation culture. In particular, the network will inform innovation aspects of the European Strategy for Universities and the talent pillar of the European Innovation Agenda. Membership, nominated by EU states and the Commission, is skewed away from the research elite, in favour of technical universities. Blickfeld, a spin-out from the Technical University of Munich, is to receive €15 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Established in 2017, the company makes hardware and software for smart LiDAR sensors. The money will accelerate development of its system for autonomous driving and industrial applications, and support expansion in the US and China. The Commission last week approved a €5.4 billion state aid project to support research, innovation and first industrial deployment of hydrogen technologies across the EU. The IPCEI Hy2Tech is backed by 15 EU states, and is expected to unlock an additional €8.8 billion in private investments. Among the 35 companies involved in 41 projects are SMEs and start-ups such as H2B2 in Spain, Elcogen in Estonia, Nedstack in the Netherlands, and McPhy in France.

The Ecosystem: Prague advances on its mission to become a top European city in space

AmRest

Unattributed VC

Dronetag develops an internet of things device designed to make drones smarter, connected and safe for airspace access. The company's device uses 5G cellular and Bluetooth 5 communication technologies to meet European legal requirements for real-time drone identification and comes with an open-sourced interface that allows operation via custom peripherals, enabling users to make their drone flights safe. Dronetag was founded in 2018 and is based in Prague, Czech Republic.

Name	Work History	Title	Status
Lukáš Brchl	AmRest	Founder, Chief Executive Officer	Current
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Name	Lukáš Brchl	Subscribe to see more
Work History	AmRest
Title	Founder, Chief Executive Officer	Subscribe to see more
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