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Integration with Elsight’s BVLOS multi-link connectivity platform enables Flyzz to expand their drone deliveries across Mexico
Or Yehuda, Israel/ Bogota, Colombia — August 2, 2024 Elsight (ASX:ELS) announced today that Orkid, a developer of VTOL drone technology, signed an LOI to provide eVTOL drones to Flyzz, the top drone operator in Mexico to expand their drone deliveries across the country.
The Orkid 260 VTOL drone, known for its affordability and robustness, is supported by Halo, Elsight’s BVLOS connectivity solution. Together, Orkid and Elsight will provide Flyzz with robust and reliable connectivity, top performance, and support to secure regulatory approvals for beyond the visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) delivery operations.
Elsight’s Halo connectivity solution aggregates multiple cellular, SatCom, and RF communications links to ensure uninterrupted connectivity even in the most challenging environments. Whether it’s disaster response, surveillance, remote inspections, or delivery logistics, Orkid’s eVTOL drones operate with unparalleled reliability and high bandwidth transmission of video and data communications to the command-and-control center.
Orkid is an innovative drone delivery company based in South America specializing in VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) technology for automated logistics that cater to commercial, defense, and disaster relief operations. By utilizing these advanced VTOL drones, Orkid optimizes the middle and last mile delivery processes, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with traditional logistics methods.
“Orkid required the most reliable BVLOS connectivity to speed up the delivery process but also to reshape the future of logistics by providing on-demand, autonomous service across all sectors”, said Santiago Pizon, CEO and Co-founder of Orkid. “Our autonomous eVTOL drones are engineered for optimal performance, offering unparalleled efficiency and reliability in delivery logistics. Elsight’s Halo is the perfect fit to support our high level of engineering and performance, in addition to enabling our drones to pass the regulatory requirements for BVLOS flights.”
“We are thrilled to see our partner Orkid grow and flourish with their agreement with Flyzz, a leading drone delivery operator in Mexico. With design-win partners like Orkid, our Halo enables the drone delivery market to succeed in many corners of the world,” said Yoav Amitai, CEO of Elsight. “We look forward to working with Orkid as they expand their business across Central and South America, and beyond”.
Table of Contents
About Orkid
At Orkid, our mission is to provide cutting-edge VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) solutions for on-demand automated drone logistics. Through our innovative and certified aviation-grade technology, we aim to enhance commercial, defense, and disaster relief operations while significantly reducing traffic congestion, CO2 emissions, and operating costs. We strive to deliver efficient and reliable solutions that empower businesses and communities worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.orkid.tech/
About Elsight
Elsight (ASX:ELS) Elsight delivers Connection Confidence with proprietary bonding connectivity that incorporates both software and hardware elements to deliver reliable, secure, high bandwidth communications – even in the most challenging areas for stationary, portable, or actively mobile situational requirements. Elsight provides robust, secured connectivity to unmanned aerial and ground systems manufacturers, operators, and integrators globally.
For more information, visit www.elsight.com
FAQs
1. What does the LOI between Orkid and Elsight cover, and what are the next steps?
The Letter of Intent (LOI) outlines the planned integration of Elsight’s Halo BVLOS connectivity platform into Orkid’s eVTOL drone systems to support Flyzz drone delivery operations in Mexico. The next steps typically include technical integration, operational testing, regulatory coordination, and potential commercial deployment phases following successful validation and approvals.
2. When will Orkid drones integrated with Elsight’s Halo be deployed for Flyzz deliveries in Mexico?
The LOI represents an initial commercial and technical framework, and deployment timelines will depend on integration progress, testing results, regulatory approvals, and operational readiness. Initial demonstrations and pilot deployments are typically expected before broader commercial rollout phases.
3. What is BVLOS, and how does Elsight’s Halo enable safe BVLOS operations?
BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) allows drones to operate beyond the pilot’s direct visual range using reliable communication and control systems. Halo enables safe BVLOS operations by aggregating multiple communication networks into a single resilient connection and seamlessly rerouting traffic to the best available links. The multilink architecture helps maintain continuous command and control, telemetry, and video transmission, even when individual networks degrade or disconnect.
4. What regulatory approvals are required for BVLOS flights in Mexico, and who will obtain them?
BVLOS drone operations in Mexico generally require approval from the Mexican civil aviation authority, AFAC, and operators should expect to document operational risk assessments, safety procedures, communications reliability, and compliance with applicable drone rules. In practice, the operator or deploying organization is usually responsible for obtaining operational approval, while technology providers may support by providing technical documentation, connectivity validation, and system performance evidence. Depending on the mission, additional permissions may also be needed for airspace use, security-sensitive areas, or specialized payloads.
5. How does Halo aggregate communications, and what level of reliability/latency can operators expect?
Halo aggregates LTE, 5G, mesh, Wi-Fi, and satellite communication links into a single multilink connectivity layer. The platform continuously monitors network quality and dynamically reroutes traffic through the best available links to maintain uninterrupted command and control, telemetry, and video transmission. Actual latency and performance depend on network availability, geography, and operational conditions, but Halo is designed to support low latency, high reliability BVLOS operations in complex environments.
