Could this Texas superhighway pave a future for increased drone use?

Imagine driving along a 92-mile stretch of highway in Texas where industrial-grade drones buzz overhead, autonomously managing tasks like security, traffic monitoring and emergency response. This vision is inching closer to reality on Texas State Highway 130 (SH130). No longer just a road for cars, it’s becoming a Texas superhighway.

This “superhighway” has been increasing its Texas footprint for a while now (in fact, SH130 IIEZ has been developing for over four years), but today it’s adding a drone component. The drone aspect of this Texas superhighway stems from a collaboration between Austin, Texas-based Autonomy Institute and drone company Ondas Holdings, whose subsidiaries include Israel drone maker Airobotics, Inc. The goal? Turning a corridor in the Lone Star State into a high-tech hub for all sorts of 24/7 autonomous drone operations.

A new era of drone integration on Texas SH130

The SH130 corridor connects key regions in Central Texas. But besides being a major traffic artery, it’s becoming a proving ground for all sorts of intelligent infrastructure, drones and otherwise. For example, it also supports autonomous cars, trucks and shuttles.

Today, drones enter the mix. Through what’s called an Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone (IIEZ), the Autonomy Institute will instal drone “zones” along the highway. That will enable continuous drone operations across a 30-square-mile area per zone for tasks encompassing inspections, security and public safety.

At the heart of this initiative is Ondas’ Optimus System, a fully autonomous drone platform designed for remote operation without the need for on-site human intervention. These drones launch from smart airbases equipped with automated battery-swapping technology, ensuring uninterrupted service for use cases like inspections and public safety. The Optimus System has already been used in the UAE and Israel. Now, its deployment on SH130 marks a major milestone for autonomous drone technology in the U.S.

Why Texas?

Texas has earned a reputation as a national leader in drone innovation, particularly in public safety and disaster response. Projects like Wing’s drone delivery service and collaborations between state and local agencies have positioned the state as a hotbed for drones. In fact, some people even riff on the term ‘Lone Star State,’ now calling it the “Drone Star State.”

“Texas is the undeniable leader in the use of UAS by public safety, and the mission sets are as diverse as the state itself,” said Jason Day of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The SH130 IIEZ is also uniquely positioned to support some of the state’s largest employers, including Tesla, Samsung, Amazon and H-E-B, all of which line the corridor. The project’s leaders suggest that businesses along the corridor will benefit from enhanced security, streamlined operations and access to real-time data collected by these drones. Even in Austin alone, city officials have identified more than 100 drone use cases across a dozen departments, including Austin Energy, Austin Fire, Austin Water, City Planning, Police, Parks, Transportation and Public Works.

Drones providing scalable, cost-effective technology in this superhighway for the future

Dubbed the “modern-day Route 66,” SH130 could redefine what a highway can be. No longer just a physical road for cars, it could support fully autonomous drone zones and Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones.

Giving those companies and entities easier access to Ondas’ Optimus System along the corridor could be key in enabling increased drone use. By operating as shared infrastructure, public and private stakeholders can focus on their core tasks without worrying about the logistics of drone operations. For instance, drones can quickly assess fires, accidents and other emergencies, enabling faster response times and reducing costs. Plus, data generated from superhighway drones could contribute to longer-term urban planning and transportation efficiency.

And while the SH130 project is certainly a local initiative, it could be a signal of what’s to come for the future of intelligent infrastructure. For now, it highlights Texas’ role as a leader in drone technology.