As the landscape of advanced air mobility (AAM) evolves, understanding the technologies that enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations becomes increasingly important for stakeholders across the industry. The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN), which is enhancing Ohio's innovation economy through university-industry partnerships that support federal laboratories and drive job growth in Ohio, interviewed Eric Wagner, CEO of Hilliard-based Ubihere, about how his company's advanced geospatial analytics are improving safety and efficiency in advanced air mobility (AAM). This interview marks the start of a new OFRN content series featuring discussions with innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in Ohio who are at the forefront of science and technology innovation.
Caption: Eric Wagner, CEO, Ubihere
The Foundation of Ubihere
Founded on groundbreaking research at The Ohio State University, Ubihere emerged from the government’s desire to navigate environments devoid of GPS—an endeavor originally aimed at supporting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) lunar missions. Ubihere is a geospatial intelligence company with products that enable real-time and accurate location tracking and interaction analysis of objects in three-dimensional space.
Ubihere developed a software called Ubivision that supports both aerial platforms and ground-based infrastructure, aiding in the beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) operations and detection and tracking of aerial traffic. The system operates independently of radio frequency tags, making it resilient to spoofing and jamming. Additionally, Ubivision can be easily trained to identify specific targets while performing real-time video processing. This technology has significant potential for developing autonomous navigation systems, as any autonomous flying system requires a backup to determine its position, path, and destination. Ubivision provides this essential capability.
BVLOS operations represent a significant leap in drone capabilities, allowing for operations beyond a pilot’s visual range. Wagner highlights the challenges that come with this advancement, particularly the vulnerabilities of GPS systems to electronic spoofing and jamming.
"As we push further into autonomy, the need for robust backup systems to determine aircraft positioning becomes paramount," said Wagner. “Ubihere’s technology provides that essential redundancy, enabling drones and air taxis to navigate safely in congested airspaces.”
Wagner explains that Ubivision gathers comprehensive data about the operating environment, such as city layouts, building details, elevation data, and infrastructure, and organize it into an extremely efficient scene graph. Then, in real-time, it processes video streams from local cameras or air systems, identifying features and matching them against the stored information to ensure accurate positioning and navigation.
"We compile a feature-based point cloud that allows us to process video streams locally in real time," said Wagner. “This capability is essential for AAM applications, where reliable positioning of airframes is critical.”
Wagner attributes much of Ubihere’s progress to strategic partnerships, especially with government organizations and research networks. The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN), managed by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, has played a pivotal role connecting Ubihere with key federal stakeholders and supporting initiatives that encourage technology development in AAM.
Additionally, the Agility Prime program of the U.S. Department of the Air Force has provided vital support, funding Ubihere's development to develop solutions which address both military needs and commercial applications. The Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX), which is managed as a partnership intermediary between Parallax and the Department of the Air Force, supported Ubihere’s Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer application development that eventually led to Ubihere winning over $750,000 in federal funding for AAM research and development.
"The federal government is our biggest partner right now," Wagner said. “The Air Force said there's a big need for our technology, and they wanted to help us fund it early.”
The Value of AAM for End Users
The emerging AAM industry has faced some skepticism, but Wagner believes the advantages in efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness are significant. He envisions a wide array of applications for AAM beyond package delivery, including monitoring for environmental hazards like forest fires and methane leaks, and enhancing productivity across various sectors, including agriculture, where AAM can facilitate everything from crop health monitoring to precise pesticide application.
“The value to companies and consumers is clear,” said Wagner. “AAM enables operators to manage multiple deliveries while significantly reducing operational costs compared to traditional methods. Additionally, imagine having a drone equipped with a methane detector fly along a pipeline, providing real-time surveillance and rapid response for any identified leaks.”
Infrastructure and Regulation: Keys to Adoption
Wagner also acknowledges that the FAA’s regulatory guidelines will shape the future of AAM.
"Safety is the biggest concern," said Wagner, drawing parallels to the historical development of highway systems in the U.S. "Just as we built infrastructure to support automotive safety, we must ensure that the airspace is secure for AAM operations."
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), advanced air mobility is a term for a new sector of the aerospace industry that uses automated aircraft to transport people and cargo. AAM aircraft are often electric and highly automated and are sometimes called air taxis or eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. AAM is a collection of new technologies that are being applied to the aviation system and is intended to be safe and efficient. Some examples of AAM use cases include urban air mobility (UAM), regional air mobility (RAM), and public service.
"The infrastructure needed to ensure safe AAM operations is critical," said Wagner, referring to a recent Deloitte report that underscores the necessity of advanced systems to manage the anticipated surge in aerial deliveries.
As one of the pioneering states in AAM development, Ohio is at the forefront of building the necessary infrastructure. Wagner expresses optimism about the state's efforts to create a clearinghouse for emerging AAM technologies, asserting that Ubihere is eager to contribute to these initiatives. With venture backing and the research prowess of Ohio State, Ubihere is positioned to play a vital role in shaping the future of air mobility.
“Successful operation of drones BVLOS and the AAM movement needs dedicated infrastructure that can manage numerous UAV flights,” said Wagner. “The U.S., and particularly Ohio, are on the path to identifying and adopting that infrastructure.”
Undoubtedly, the journey toward widespread AAM adoption hinges on innovation, collaboration, and robust infrastructure. As Wagner states, the blend of advanced geospatial analytics with strategic regulatory frameworks will pave the way for safe, efficient, and autonomous air transportation systems. For entrepreneurs, consumers, and policymakers alike, understanding these developments will be key to navigating the dynamic landscape of AAM.
"The goal of automation has always been efficiency and output, but we need to ensure that society can adapt and create new employee roles as these technologies emerge," said Wagner.
In this rapidly evolving industry, the insights provided by leaders like Wagner are invaluable as we prepare for a future where drones and air taxis seamlessly integrate into our daily lives. While the adoption of new technologies may take time, the momentum behind AAM is undeniable, promising to transform logistics, transportation, and beyond. The collaborative efforts among industry players like OFRN, Ubihere, and others, and academic and government partners will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of AAM and its impact on society.
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About Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN)
The OFRN has the mission to stimulate Ohio’s innovation economy by building statewide university-industry research collaborations that meet the requirements of Ohio’s federal laboratories, resulting in the creation of technologies that drive job growth for the State of Ohio. The OFRN is a program managed by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University and is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.
