Big Tech and Aviation Companies to Set Standards For New Drone-Tracking System

The Federal Aviation Administration announced the vendors chosen to develop the underlying technology and standards for tracking drones and their pilots as part of a new regulatory regime and marketplace.

In December, the agency issued a proposed rule to establish a system for remotely identifying unmanned aerial vehicles more colloquially known as drones called Remote ID. The rule created a framework for tagging drones with unique radio wave identifiers that are broadcast directly from the drone or over a Wi-Fi internet connection, depending on the method. That unique ID could be picked up by air traffic control towers, law enforcement and the general public to ensure a level of safety and accountability.