According to a recent report by TechCrunch, Facebook is looking to make another acquisition, this time targeting drone maker Titan Aerospace.
Facebook is apparently looking to purchase Titan Aerospace for $60 million US dollars, and the company is said to be interested in producing Titan Aerospace’s solar drones.
Revolutionizing Internet Access with Solar Drones
These solar drones would be used to provide Internet access for parts of the world that do not have any coverage. The drones can apparently fly for 5 years without having to land, thanks to their solar-powered technology. This capability makes them an ideal solution for remote and underserved areas where traditional infrastructure is either too costly or impractical to deploy.
The Solara 60 is the model which Facebook is interested in. Facebook will apparently build 11,000 of these drones to provide Internet access to areas which have no coverage. The Solara 60 is designed to operate at an altitude of around 65,000 feet, well above commercial air traffic, and can cover a vast area with its communication capabilities.
The video below explains how the solar drones work. They can perform the same functions as a satellite, although at a much lower altitude than a traditional satellite. This lower altitude allows for better latency and potentially higher bandwidth, making the drones a more efficient and cost-effective solution for providing Internet access.
Potential Impact and Future Plans
It will be interesting to see exactly what Facebook has planned for these unmanned drones. The acquisition of Titan Aerospace could be a significant step in Facebook’s broader strategy to connect the world. By providing Internet access to remote areas, Facebook could potentially bring millions of new users online, expanding its user base and influence.
Moreover, these drones could be used for various other applications beyond providing Internet access. For instance, they could be employed for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and agricultural surveillance. The ability to stay airborne for extended periods makes them a versatile tool for continuous data collection and real-time monitoring.
As soon as we get some more information on the deal between the two companies, we will let you guys know. The potential of solar-powered drones is vast, and Facebook’s investment in this technology could pave the way for a new era of connectivity and innovation.
Source TechCrunch
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