Airspace security provider Dedrone has launched DedroneBeyond, a system designed to enable law enforcement and emergency services to carry out drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) during first response situations.

Drone as first responders (DFR) is the use of drone technology that allows for real-time information during in-progress and/or extremely volatile incidents.

Released first to the scene before the deployment of human cavalry, the drones will give responders an overview of the situation from a safe distance to gather information and assist them with making sound tactical decisions that reduce the risk of injury to the responders and other people that maybe be involved.

Now Counter-UAS services provider Dedrone says its new technology will help enhance this capability for drones to deploy beyond the sight of the pilot’s human eye. 

Powered by the same computer-vision-enabled, sensor-fusion AI that currently protects over 500 sites around the world, DedroneBeyond delivers complete airspace situational awareness, according to the manufacturer.

The solution is currently undergoing further refinements and tests, in partnership with other providers that include Axon Air; to ensure safe drone operation and provide an infrastructure for the emergence of a positive drone economy. 

“Drones can provide more than just a birds-eye view of a situation; they can arrive at a scene faster than humans and then enable assessment of an emerging incident to provide critical information for law enforcement and first responders to make better decisions before sending in personnel,” said Aaditya Devarakonda, CEO of Dedrone.

“Today, this potential is hampered by the need to always have human eyes on a drone. DedroneBeyond unlocks that potential and makes it easier for law enforcement across the country to implement scalable DFR programs. DedroneBeyond is a natural extension for Dedrone, leveraging the company’s deep knowledge and technology foundation for aircraft detection and multi-sensor fusion, to further expand its global leadership in airspace security.”

“Eliminating the need for human visual observers is the key to unlocking the value of DFR and bringing its benefits to a larger number of communities,” said Aydin Ghajar, General Manager of Axon Air. “We’re incredibly excited to add DedroneBeyond to the Axon Air offering and the value it can bring in combination with all the hardware, software, and professional services we offer to agencies to operate a lifesaving drone program successfully.”

DedroneBeyond also reportedly layers Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS–B) detection into Dedrone’s existing premier detection and sensor-fusion technologies, something that is set to help clients in the USA acquire their Certificate Of Authorisation from the Federal Aviation Administration.

To fly a drone BVLOS in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must issue a certificate of authorization (COA)to the end user. To acquire a COA, an agency must show that its technology can reliably detect other aircraft to prevent mid-air collisions.

“Embracing innovation is at the core of our mission to enhance public safety,” said Michael J. Bouchard, Sheriff, Oakland County, Mich. Sheriff’s Office.

“Our partnership with Dedrone and Axon Air on the evaluation of the DedroneBeyond solution represents a crucial step towards strengthening our DFR program. This collaboration opens the door to exploring BVLOS operations, offering the potential to transform the way we respond to emergencies and keep our community safe.”

DedroneBeyond joins Dedrone’s suite of smart airspace security solutions, all of which leverage DedroneTracker.AI, the company’s command and control (C2) airspace security platform. With sophisticated AI models, the platform performs true sensor fusion to accurately monitor a drone’s flight path and behaviour.

Dedrone offers this C2 capability across every kind of setting depending on customer needs, including DedroneCityWide, for zero-install drone detection and monitoring across wide areas, DedroneFixedSite, drone detection for critical infrastructure locations and mobile kits designed for specific situations, DedroneTactical for agile expeditionary environments and DedroneRapidResponse for mobile drone detection.

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