The future of UAV connectivity: Gotonomi’s critical comms for autonomous UAV operations

Eszter Kovács, CEO and co-founder of DroneTalks spoke with Matthew Hill, General Manager at Gotonomi, who shared insights into the work of Gotonomi, a company redefining UAV connectivity. 

Developed under the umbrella of parent company TTP and in collaboration with Viasat, Gotonomi is at the forefront of delivering robust communication solutions for UAVs operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). As the drone industry expands into critical applications like cargo delivery, inspection, and emergency response, Gotonomi’s technology offers a vital link between innovation and operational reliability.
Matthew discussed the role TTP plays in developing products and how Gotonomi as a business concept is proving a success in bypassing some of the difficulties with manufacturing that start-ups regularly experience in the industry.

Gotonomi Velaris 200 integrated unit

How Gotonomi is revolutionising critical comms for UAVs

The Gotonomi terminals’ low SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost) means operators of all drone size and applications can now consider satellite communication to enable BVLoS operations. Central to the Gotonomi offering is the Velaris network, Viasat’s dedicated UAV connectivity service. This network underpins Gotonomi’s suite of products, ensuring seamless near-global communication for UAV operators.

Matthew discussed the product development phase of Gotonomi and said: “We asked the question ‘how small can we make this for UAVs?’ and we really chased that. We’ve gone as hard as we can on low size, weight and power credentials.” 

Gotonomi 200-A Omni Antenna mounted on board an Air6 Systems Air8 Drone connected to a Velaris Multi-link terminal

At the heart of their portfolio is the Velaris 200, a fully integrated satellite communication terminal and antenna. This flagship product offers UAV operators a compact, lightweight solution that simplifies connectivity without compromising on performance. For operators requiring more flexibility in integration, Gotonomi also offers separate module and antenna systems; the Velaris Module, a satcom-only solution, and the Velaris Multi-link Module, which combines satellite and LTE connectivity along with edge computing capabilities. Complementing both these terminals is the Gotonomi 200-A Omni Antenna, a standalone, lightweight antenna optimized for UAV operations.

Gotonomi Inspection Bundle featuring pre-loaded Videosoft Global’s ultra-low bandwidth video streaming software

These products are designed with a clear focus on reducing size, weight, and power consumption; critical factors for UAV performance. The terminals are significantly cheaper than  other L-Band terminals on the market and they come with a competitive airtime fee structure based on data requirements, offering operators always-on connectivity without additional charges for maintaining an active satellite link.

Meeting the UAV industry’s growing demands

The launch of Gotonomi’s commercial terminals couldn’t come at a more crucial time. As the UAV industry evolves, the demand for reliable, always-on communication links has become a top priority. 

From cargo and passenger transport to agricultural applications and search-and-rescue missions, BVLOS operations are increasingly essential. Gotonomi’s solutions address these needs by providing UAV operators with the tools to maintain secure and uninterrupted communication, ensuring mission success even in the most challenging environments.

Following rigorous testing and flight trials across the EU, US, Canada, Australia, and Brazil, Gotonomi’s terminals are now fully type-approved by Viasat for Regional Class 4 operations. Deliveries of these CE/FCC/RCC/ISED certified units are ready for order with deliveries starting in February 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey from prototype to market-ready solutions. For operators still in the development phase, Gotonomi continues to offer flight development kits to support research and innovation.

A Gotonomi Velaris 200 terminal, which includes an integrated antenna during validation test at BCN Drone Center

A proven model for innovation and expansion

Gotonomi’s success story extends beyond its product offerings. Unlike traditional product companies, Gotonomi represents a new model for reducing time-to-market for innovation within TTP. 

As a technology consultancy with over 35 years of experience, TTP has a proven track record of developing groundbreaking solutions across various sectors, including aerospace. Gotonomi has been set up as a commercial venture to accelerate time to market for the hardware element of the Satcom terminal developed with TTP’s long-time partner Viasat. 

This model has already demonstrated its effectiveness. The deep technical expertise of TTP’s engineering teams succeeded in creating highly specialized communication solutions tailored to the UAV industry’s unique needs. A specific team was then set up within TTP under the Gotonomi brand to deliver the terminals to the market in partnership with Viasat’s Advanced Air Mobility team. The collaboration between the original TTP development team and a specific product team, focused on manufacturing and early commercialization, has delivered over 100 pre-production units to market enabling the earliest possible customer engagement and effective technical de-bugging and iteration.

Gotonomi manufacturing cell at TTP

Building on its success, Gotonomi is now exploring new frontiers in UAV safety and autonomy. 

TheTTP team are developing an onboard detect-and-avoid system that combines radar and optical camera technology. This innovative solution uses data fusion to provide UAVs with enhanced situational awareness, enabling an on board detect-and-avoid system at a ~$5k target price point. 

Designed for small to mid-sized airframes, this system is set to fill a critical gap in the market. Early tests have shown encouraging results, and the system has already generated strong interest from industry stakeholders. TTP are seeking strategic flight trial and funding partners to take this technology to market.

By leveraging TTP’s expertise and its own proven approach to product development, Gotonomi will be ideally placed to take the output of this innovation project to market, to address another key area of real-world UAV safety challenges.

Matthew outlined Gotonomi’s unique advantage, he commented: “TTP is a vehicle by which clients such as Viasat can develop innovative technology solutions but Gotonomi is proving to be a very useful model for us of how we actually extend the collaboration and accelerate the delivery of that product to market whilst retaining access to the original development team.”

Charting a new path for UAV connectivity

Gotonomi’s journey is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. From its beginnings as a bold concept within TTP, through its development in partnership with Viasat, to its current status as a leading provider of UAV communication solutions, the company is breaking new ground. 

As the drone industry continues to evolve, the need for reliable, scalable connectivity solutions will only grow. Gotonomi is not just meeting this demand, but it’s setting new standards, proving that with the right combination of expertise, vision, and technology, the possibilities for UAV innovation are virtually limitless.

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