Drone Major Group has announced the launch of the first-ever drone technology ‘Test and Development Area’ project, which will be carried out in the Liverpool City Region in the UK with the aim of creating a pathway to develop operational drone capabilities in urban logistics, the environment, security, maritime logistics, port and maritime, and the wider community.
The project, entitled Phoenix I, is to be delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) and several regional partners, including LogisticsUK, Peel Ports Group, SP Energy Networks, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
Phoenix I is the first in a series of interconnected projects developed by Drone Major Group aimed at delivering commercially viable, scalable and environmentally sustainable drone services across all environments (surface, underwater, air and space), and in all the sectors that are vital for the UK and world economy.
All projects within the newly established Phoenix program, which currently comprises 10 new initiatives, will share a common operational model and advanced data analysis to ensure that progress accelerates exponentially.
Robert Garbett, founder of Drone Major Group, commented, “Drones represent an unprecedented growth opportunity across a huge number of global industries. Liverpool City Region has clearly demonstrated its commendable intent to adopt a sustainable and commercially viable drone technology system for the city, ahead of the curve, which sets an example to all.
“The potential for this unique collaborative initiative is vast. It enables cities, regions and industries to achieve their potential and will create an overwhelmingly positive impact on UK and indeed world economic growth through enhanced commerce, employment, skills, education and decarbonization.”
The Liverpool City Region benefits from some of the country’s most outstanding digital infrastructure, academic knowledge and individual experts who will be integral to realizing the potential of autonomous drone systems in the UK, such as the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Autonomous Systems Technology (CAST), Liverpool Institute for Sustainable Coasts and Oceans (LISCO) and Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC), and the drone research group at Liverpool John Moores University.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region added, “The Liverpool City Region is a digital powerhouse. We have the world class infrastructure, expertise and ambition to be leaders of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It’s fantastic to see the Drone Major Group recognizing that by choosing to open their test and development area here.
“This project will deliver new jobs and investment and will attract people to our area not just to work but to study too, knowing that we are working on cutting-edge and exciting projects such as this, as well as ambitious plans in everything from digital infrastructure and tidal power.”