Do you have a few shekels per tip? The skimmer with the sushi has arrived Israel today

Israel's national skimmer project is underway.

The project, which first began its flights over urban areas in Israel in January 2021, begins the third phase, in which five autonomous skimmer network management and operation companies participate, which have been supported by the Innovation Authority as part of the pilot program.

Skimmers in the skies of Tel Aviv, Photo: Netivei Ayalon, Amos Luzon Photographers

As of October 3, and for 10 days, flights have been and will be operated over residential areas in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ramat Hasharon, Herzliya and Hadera, and flights will be operated simultaneously in Brazil, under the same management system in Israel.

The participating companies are expected to jointly carry out about 300 flights a day over open areas, among other things to perform tasks of various types on air routes assigned by the joint control system.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Innovation Authority

: "The national skimmer project is stepping up on the way to deployment in the center of the country - Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ramat Hasharon, Herzliya and Hadera, and on the way to creating one of the world's leading ecosystems in this field.

In order to advance and bring the technology to the point of creating an economic and sustainable model of activity for both the glider manufacturers and the Israeli public, we are expanding the field of flights to activity areas in the center of the country alongside the periphery.

As part of the third demonstration, in which 16 Israeli companies as well as an international representative will participate, flights will take place in several flight areas simultaneously in Israel and Brazil.

Dror Bean, CEO of the Innovation Authority, Photo: David Garb Photography

As part of the third demonstration, we will take one step further the combination of technology, regulation and public support in favor of another significant step on the way to creating an activity model that will allow end customers to enjoy cargo transport using skimmers nationwide, while emphasizing safe, efficient and fast operation.

As part of the test flights, cargo flights will be carried out from commercial companies in various fields directly to the end customers.

"This unique cooperation between the Innovation Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority and Ayalon Lanes is a catalyst for other public bodies such as the Home Front Command, Fire and Rescue, MDA, the Rescue Union and other commercial entities to reach out and enjoy the exceptional capabilities and potential inherent in this experiment."

The joint flights, which will be carried out by the various companies as detailed below alongside the Israel Police, the National Fire Brigade and the IDF, will be managed autonomously, from the air traffic control center of Ayalon Highways. A situation in which dozens or hundreds of skimmers - in the future - will fly in the country's skies for various missions, while operating in a uniform airspace.The system will know to prioritize between flights and evacuate the airspace when manned aircraft or aircraft of one of the emergency controls enter.

The future is already here.

Deliveries in skimmers, Photo: Envato Elements

The project, which originated in a collaboration between the Innovation Authority, the Ministry of Transportation (through Ayalon Highways), the Civil Aviation Authority (RTA) and the Smart Transportation Authority, was established with the aim of promoting skimmers for public benefit, to help reduce road congestion and establish a national airline network. For the benefit of transporting medicines, vaccines, tests and medical equipment, deliveries in the retail market and more.