SORA-Mate was developed to address the complexities and challenges associated with Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) approvals. In collaboration with ANRA Technologies, a leading provider of unmanned traffic management solutions, Hover UAV, a top regulatory consultant, focused on creating intelligent software to streamline and standardise risk assessment processes under the JARUS-SORA framework.

The primary objective was to develop a tool that enables standardised, equitable, and repeatable risk assessments for drone operators and regulatory authorities, facilitating BVLOS applications. SORA-Mate was designed to automate the SORA process without compromising safety, enhancing workflow efficiency for both drone operators and regulatory bodies. This ensures faster approvals for operators, standardised applications for regulators, and a unified framework for assessing risks, ultimately improving aviation safety.

SORA-Mate enables operators to easily add additional capabilities, such as BVLOS, to their operations. Due to the streamlined SORA creation process built into SORA-Mate, operators can also save significant amounts of money and staff time.

One of the significant advantages of SORA-Mate is the standardised risk assessments that are outputted. These assessments make it easier for aviation regulators to review and approve applications. This standardisation can lead to shorter wait times for approvals, increasing operational efficiency for operators. Furthermore, by adhering to a consistent framework, SORA-MATE enhances overall aviation safety, benefiting the entire industry.

SORA-Mate is based on the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework, developed by the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS). JARUS is an international group that develops technical, safety, and operational guidelines for the certification and regulation of unmanned systems. The SORA framework provides a comprehensive methodology for assessing and mitigating risks associated with unmanned aircraft operations.

SORA-Mate builds on these principles, offering a user-friendly application that simplifies the risk assessment process. It enables operators to input various parameters of their operations and receive a structured risk assessment, helping them understand potential hazards and the necessary mitigations.

SORA-Mate is equipped with a comprehensive array of data sources integrated into its backend, making it a powerful tool for conducting thorough and standardised risk assessments. This includes detailed information on aerodromes, airspace designations, topography, and population density. By leveraging these data sets, SORA-MATE allows operators to quickly evaluate the specific characteristics of an operational area, accurately identifying both ground and air risks.