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The aviation industry has been under pressure to become more sustainable for many years. Aviation, which accounts for almost 2 percent of the total global emissions, is a very difficult industry to decarbonise. Airlines have often been criticized for their passive attitude towards reducing environmental hazard. Current airline targets are not ambitious enough, which result in a very slow process of becoming more green. To speed up this process he airline industry adopted a target of eliminating carbon emissions by 2050, this means a carbon neutral future (Financial Times, 4 October 2021). 

This new target can be divided into two sub targets. First of all, the number of flights worldwide must be drastically reduced. By doing this, the co2 emissions will not totally disappear, but will be significantly reduced.  

The second sub target, and the most important one with regard to becoming fully carbon neutral, is to use new innovations and technologies to support emission reduction. This is important for both looking at emissions of airplanes, and emissions of airports. SITA, an IT provider for the air transport industry, has been developing a technology to achieve a carbon neutral airport for many years. The technology measures, predicts and reduces emissions on all important (potential high emission) areas at an airport. Think about the emission of an aircraft turnaround, landing and take-off cyclus, operating infrastructure (transportation systems). This system helps airports to analyse the critical areas, and to determine which elements need the strongest focus. By measuring all the processes, they can improve operations and make it more efficient. For example, the system enables pilots to notify and airplane fueller when they need less fuel than they expected. This can happen when pilots face a route change, so they have to taxi less distance. Less fuel in an airplane means less weight, which means less co2 emissions.  

Due to the increasing pressure on this industry and the fact that they have finally set an (extremely) ambitious target, the road to a carbon neutral industry will demand a lot from future technology and information system developments. 

https://www.ft.com/content/c43e06ff-48b5-488e-a59f-2ba60f463781

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The impact of drones in the world of technology and consumer use is increasing, drone devices are more and more used for greater purposes than just entertainment. A few of the main applications for drones are:

• Military uses of drones:

Many drones are equipped with cameras suitable for purposes of bomb detection. Moreover, drones can also contribute to the defence by controlling and protecting hazardous areas. Lastly, drones can also fly around suspected areas to fulfil military operations that would normally endanger military safety.

• Non-military uses of drones:

Drones are also widely used in the filming and journalism industry, they can reach places where reporters and cameramen normally cannot reach. Drones can also be useful in shipping and delivering products faster than ever before. Another use-case of drones is disaster management, drones can accelerate rescue operations and healthcare. 

Besides these examples, there are many more potential use-cases of drones. However, many opportunities are blocked by government regulations. In most countries, flying around cities, towns, airports and neighbourhoods is prohibited due to safety measures. As drones are getting bigger, the risk of a collision between a drone and another flying object is increasing. Therefore, flying drones in a restricted airspace could lead to severe consequences.  

The main issue is that planes can detect most other flying objects, except drones. This problem can be solved by developing a system that enables planes to detect drones, which is exactly what a private pilot from Denver (United States) came up with. The pilot, Rick Zelenka, has spent a few years perfecting his drone radar system, and is testing the prototype this month (September, 2020). The system firstly identifies drones, next the information is shared on the ground, then it is shared with other pilots in the sky. In this way the system enables pilots to see the drones on their radar, avoiding a potential collision. The first test in the skies over Hudson was a success, but it may take a while before this radar system hits the market. Zelenka has won a NASA-funded contract to further develop the radar system, so more planes can be equipped with this radar in the near future. 

This invention will have a massive influence on the future of drones, as this system prevents mid-air collisions which will reduce the government regulations. Due to the reduced regulations the capacities of drones can be optimal used in new use-cases. 

resources:

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/denver-airplane-pilot-is-one-step-closer-from-making-his-drone-dodging-invention-a-reality

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