We know we might be a little too obsessed with drone technology and all the things it can do to make people’s a little easier; and the promises of all the things the technology can do in future applications.

But after getting our hands on the report of a Proof of Concept project that a South African smart city recently completed, we think we may have found some competition yet.

To say they are smitten would be an understatement. But Waterfall City in Midrand, Johannesburg did recently partner with rising drone services company Integrated Aerial Systems to investigate the best way to integrate drone technology into, among others, security management of the City.

Waterfall City is a fast-growing mixed-use lifestyle precinct, drawing global attention as a premier destination for corporations seeking modern and strategically located spaces for their African operations.

Owned by Witwatersrand Estates Limited and held in trust by the Waterval Islamic Institute, Waterfall City boasts all the amenities of a vibrant modern city, complemented by state-of-the-art fibre optic and wireless communication networks and sustainable energy sources, positioning Waterfall City as a pioneering urban centre.

The city’s corporate campus has attracted a lot of US corporate companies blue-chip brands like PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Cisco, and Accenture.

And it is this sprawling city spread across 2,200 hectares that the managers want secured.

With drones capable of covering substantial areas, silently collecting data, and enhancing both safety and environmental stewardship, Waterfall City hopes to set a new standard for estate management in South Africa.

And with its deep expertise in drone applications and compliance, IAS has proven that drones are a valuable security tool and a critical component of responsible and proactive estate management.

Waterfall City already had security solutions provider Fidelity under contract, operating security drones around the area, but the latest project with IAS has them gushing.

“The aim of this proof of concept was to look at a more encompassing use of drones in the area, showcasing the vast potential of drones for further security measures, environmental monitoring, and operational efficiency,” a statement from the City read.

“The POC project, conducted during the day and night, revealed how drones can seamlessly integrate with ground-based security teams to boost surveillance across Waterfall City’s sprawling development. IAS drones flew multiple missions, covering extensive ground and inspecting security perimeters with precision.

“By equipping these drones with advanced thermal cameras, the team was able to locate potential intruders during night-time simulations with unprecedented accuracy. The drones, able to quickly detect heat signatures from humans and animals, as well as flag suspicious-looking vehicles, provided critical real-time information to ground security, drastically reducing response times.”

The statement added that the drones could also live stream the date they were collecting, enabling Waterfall City’s security to monitor activity from anywhere.

“This live feed improved situational awareness, allowing ground teams to react swiftly and with enhanced coordination. With the aerial advantage, they could cover larger areas faster and more efficiently than traditional foot patrols, making it

significantly more challenging for intruders to evade detection.”

For its part, IAS has been growing from strength to strength, spreading its wings from its base in Cape Town, to this prestigious gig with a Johannesburg property mogul.

They do not take it for granted.

“We are proud to partner with Waterfall City in exploring innovative ways to enhance estate security and monitoring,” the company said.

“By leveraging advanced drone technology, we’re helping to deliver real-time insights, from detecting intruders to identifying alien vegetation. Together, we’re setting new standards for smart, secure, and forward-thinking communities.”

Beyond security, the drones were also deployed to inspect infrastructure (checking for any damaged sectors) and monitor environmental issues (vegetation overgrowth) that can impact the quality of life and sustainability in the smart city.

“The IAS drones also contributed to important environmental surveys, illegal dumping in the Jukskei River, sewage leaks, and rainfall-induced soil erosion.

“A 3D model and survey are created by in-house experts using the captured high-resolution images and data to create a “baseline” for erosion across the development, allowing Waterfall City to monitor and manage environmental degradation over time.

“With each flight, IAS drones collected data on topography, temperature, and soil erosion, which specialists analysed using AI technology to create detailed reports. The valuable insights gained from these reports will help estate management make informed decisions and prioritise maintenance and environmental protection.”

Of course, there would be regulatory and privacy concerns for a seemingly massive project like this; and the city managers gave assurances that they were working with South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to ensure compliance with airspace regulations.

To maintain privacy, the city authorities said the drone pilots would adhere to strict altitude and location guidelines, particularly over residential areas.  

All data collected is securely stored and handled in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act.

“To foster transparency, Waterfall City will appropriately communicate with residents whenever future drone activity takes place that may affect them. Knowing that drones are there to enhance security and safety has led to high levels of community support.

“As IAS notes, having an “eye in the sky” contributes to peace of mind for residents, particularly at night when drones become a silent deterrent to potential crime.”

Going forward, IAS said it was exploring the adoption of a “drone-in-a-box” solution, an autonomous system that would allow drones to launch, follow pre-set patrol routes, and return to a charging station on their own.

This solution, along with the potential to track and tag intruders at the request of security guards, is already used in some estates in the country and could be another way to approach security in Waterfall City.