Doodle Labs, producer of long-range, industrial-grade wireless networking solutions, and ModalAI, Inc., a manufacturer of autonomous drone and robot technology, announced a renewed partnership to continue to develop and promote the direct integration between Doodle Labs’ nano-OEM and mini-OEM Mesh Rider Radios and ModalAI’s VOXL® 2 and new VOXL 2 Mini autopilots.
The two companies will showcase their newest products at each other’s exhibition hall booths at AUVSI Xponential in Denver, May 9-11. (Doodle Labs: Booth 4416; ModalAI: Booth 4534) They’ll also share a stage at the conference, one of the world’s largest events dedicated to uncrewed and robotic technology, for “How Collaboration Sparks Innovation in DIU’s Blue UAS Program,” a panel discussion featuring Defense Innovation Unit and other Blue UAS ecosystem leaders. The session is Wednesday, May 19 at 3 p.m. MST.
The integration between Doodle Labs’ and ModalAI’s key drone components empowers drone OEMs to seamlessly build highly intelligent drone systems with a powerful and reliable datalink. Doodle Labs’ Helix version of its Mesh Rider Radios and ModalAI’s VOXL 2 are both part of the Blue UAS Framework, fully cleared for use by the US government. ModalAI will showcase its new VOXL 2 Mini, an 11g single-board AI autopilot, at both its’ and Doodle Labs’ booths in Xponential’s exhibition hall.
“This integration has been a game-changer for many drone OEMs and has empowered customers to go to market faster with arguably their best drones ever,” said Ashish Parikh, VP Business Development for Doodle Labs.
“ModalAI is committed to developing autopilots for smaller, smarter and safer drones. Our radios work in service of the autopilot and other high-end components with high throughput and a reliable datalink,” said Parikh. “We’re happy to continue to grow the partnership at Xponential and beyond.”
“As a Blue UAS Framework manufacturer, our mission is to advance the U.S. drone industry with advanced, interoperable technology that accelerates the path to autonomy,” said Chad Sweet, CEO and Co-Founder of ModalAI. “We are pleased to collaborate with Doodle Labs to make their Mesh Rider Radios available on VOXL 2. Developers who use VOXL 2 and Doodle Labs’ Mesh Rider Radios can achieve a quicker time to market and FY20 NDAA Section 848 Compliance.”
Doodle Labs Helix Mesh Rider Radio
The development of Doodle Labs’ Helix Mesh Rider Radio was sponsored by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit specifically for the Blue UAS program. It’s the only radio to meet all Blue UAS Framework requirements in one radio.
The Helix Mesh Rider Radio provides the tactical capability of up to six frequency bands in one radio, an industry first. The radio is available in several multi-band configurations in federal frequencies, including M1-M6, and L + S. With Helix, end-users can switch frequency bands based on interference, country of operation or any other reason without having to swap out hardware. Helix Smart Radios are fully NDAA compliant.
Helix Mesh Rider Radios are available in two form-factors for drones; mini-OEM and the even smaller nano-OEM, both low-SWaP designs that enable long range and high throughput. In addition to Blue UAS-compliant Helix versions, both Smart Radios are also available in unlicensed multiband 900MHz + 2.4 GHz versions for commercial drone use.
ModalAI VOXL 2
VOXL 2 is ModalAI’s flagship autopilot, powered by the Qualcomm® Flight RB5 5G platform. At only 16 grams, VOXL 2 boasts more AI computing than any other autopilot. VOXL 2 integrates a PX4 real-time flight controller with an 8-core CPU up to 15 TOPs, seven image sensors, TDK® IMUs and barometer, 5G connectivity and is assembled in the USA. ModalAI’s VOXL 2 and new VOXL 2 Mini accelerate the development of commercial drone and robot solutions to realize the benefits of autonomous AI and 5G.
VOXL 2 enables autonomy and communications for indoor and outdoor drones and robots with vision-based SLAM and AI for movement, designed specifically for GPS-denied, autonomous UAVs with obstacle avoidance. With a Doodle Labs Helix Mesh Rider Radio add-on, VOXL 2 enhances mission critical navigation, including beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) to support safer, more reliable flight.
