Becker Avionics and Iris Automation, a commercial drone safety company, have entered into a strategic partnership to increase hazard awareness of general aviation pilots and advance UAV safety. The two companies will jointly develop a system to detect and warn pilots of nearby threats to the aircraft.

The collision avoidance safety system will use computer vision and machine learning to “see” when another aircraft is approaching from outside the pilot's field of view and poses a risk to the equipped aircraft, issuing 3D audio warnings. The solution will combine Iris Automation's patented Casia detect and alert technology with Becker Avionics' communication and navigation equipment expertise for both crewed and uncrewed airborne applications.

According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 1,450 near mid-air collisions were reported between 2016 and 2020. 82% of mid-air collisions occur from the rear, states the AOPA Air Safety Foundation (ASF).

The Iris Automation/Becker Avionics opto-electric/audio system monitors airspace in visual flight conditions independently on board the pilot's aircraft even if ADS-B or TCAS signals may be unavailable. It should supplement pilots' situational awareness, whether in the cockpit or remote, during instrument scans or other parts of the airspace. By providing warnings in time to take appropriate actions to avoid potential collisions and the system is designed to improve safety with minimal impact on pilot workload.

Roland Becker, chairman of Becker Avionics, comments: “Becker Avionics has provided reliable aviation equipment for 65 years, enabling regulatory compliance and aviator safety. Partnering with an innovator like Iris Automation will allow our customers to exploit advanced technology to fly safer, especially as airspace congestion increases. Client interest in this kind of solution is very high, and our ability to service both their cockpit and remote pilot safety needs is unique in the industry.”

Jon Damush, CEO of Iris Automation, says: “This relationship is a pivotal move for Iris Automation as it defines and accelerates our work in the general aviation space. Our core mission is to improve air safety by avoiding collisions and this extension of our technology is a natural evolution.”