ADASI has adopted VentureOne's Perceptra, a GPS-less navigation technology, and Saluki, a high-security flight control technology, both developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). These technologies enhance resilience, precision, and security for autonomous aerial operations, addressing vulnerabilities in GPS-dependent systems. The agreement was formalized at IDEX 2025. Why it matters: This deployment of advanced autonomous flight technologies in the UAE strengthens aviation security and positions the region as a leader in resilient, GPS-independent navigation solutions.
The UAE has begun mapping air corridors and developing regulations for air taxis and cargo drones, aiming to transform urban transportation. The GCAA and ATRC entities (TII and ASPIRE) are collaborating to define aerial corridors within 20 months. These routes will connect key airports and locations, integrating piloted and autonomous vehicles. Why it matters: The initiative positions the UAE as a leader in advanced air mobility, potentially easing congestion and setting a global benchmark for future urban mobility.
TII's Secure Systems Research Center in Abu Dhabi has integrated a secure PX4 stack into a RISC-V based drone, marking a milestone in making RISC-V UAV systems a reality. The center ported DroneCode's PX4 open source software to RISC-V using a commercially available RISC-V development platform. SSRC aims to improve the security and resilience of the PX4 flight control software and NuttX real-time OS, contributing modifications back to the open-source community. Why it matters: This achievement enhances TII's position in drone and autonomous systems research, contributing to safer and more efficient smart city applications in the region.
TII and Honeywell are partnering to develop quantum-secure satellite communication systems. Honeywell's ‘QKDSat’ platform will integrate with TII’s Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station (ADQOGS) to test QKD links between satellites and terrestrial networks. The collaboration aims to build quantum-resilient communication infrastructure for government, security, and commercial use. Why it matters: This initiative positions Abu Dhabi as a key player in advancing global cybersecurity and quantum communication technologies.
TII's Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) in Abu Dhabi has launched a motion capture (MOCAP) facility for testing drones in augmented reality, the first such facility outside the US. SSRC's MOCAP facility will simulate environments like Abu Dhabi city to enable high-precision ground truth for experiments. The facility will allow the modelling and operation of a cloud-based secure autonomous system of drones. Why it matters: This positions the UAE as a leader in drone security research, enabling advanced testing and development of secure drone systems for various critical applications.