NOVOSIBIRSK, Aug 5Artificial intelligence systems will be required to integrate drones into manned airspace, options for controlling drones are still being discussed, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Igor Chalik told reporters on Saturday at Archipelago 2023 in Novosibirsk.
«It is clear that this is an increase in the load (on controllers — ed.), but we are going to involve artificial intelligence here. Already today there is an automated integrated control system that helps controllers a lot to relieve the load. But we understand that in the case of integration into a single airspace, it will be much the number of drones used will increase, respectively, the load on dispatchers will increase. We are discussing how this will be managed. There are several solutions,» he said.
Chalik explained that the talk is about the fact that systems and programs, including artificial intelligence, will help controllers.
«The main idea is that drones should be equipped in the same way as manned ones, but it is clear that they will be smaller in size, weight. But the equipment should be exactly like that. We need to protect manned aircraft in case of a conflict with drones. The drone must react be the first to avoid a possible collision. This is the main thing,» the deputy head of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation said.
Meanwhile, Chalik noted that so far in the Russian Federation, in fact, there is not a single drone equipped with at least collision avoidance equipment.
«This is the main thing, so that there is no threat to manned aviation. This is about it. As soon as it appears, we will understand how many drones will appear in manned airspace and will be subject to air traffic control,» he added.