Author: Adam Stone
Date published: July 16, 2024
When it comes to innovations in public safety, drones promise to be game-changers. These robotic eyes in the sky can act as a critical force multiplier, giving first responders faster and better insight into emerging situations. While only 13% of first responders use drones or robotics on a daily basis today, 43% expect to adopt these technologies in the next five years, according to the Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey.
In the public safety community, having the right tools matters. Public safety agencies can use drones, or uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), with a range of sensor capabilities and strong connectivity to ensure data gets into the right hands when it's needed.
With 5G-connected search and rescue drones, public safety agencies can monitor major events in near real time, from large crowds to widespread fires. First responders can use drones' video streaming capabilities for search and rescue missions, thermal mapping and overall situational awareness. They can identify emergency situations faster, and understand them more fully, empowering response teams to act quickly and appropriately.
The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team helps agencies leverage a UAS ability to tap the power of artificial intelligence (AI). For example, public safety agencies can use AI-equipped search and rescue drones to help process imagery at the edge of the network while on scene for timelier responses. The AI can be trained to automatically recognize problems or issues in an emergency situation and send alerts to trigger immediate action.
To that end, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team recently introduced the Skydio X10 drone. As an AI-enabled drone capable of full or partial autonomous flight, the Skydio X10 can support search and rescue missions and other emergency response scenarios. Emergency teams can use the multi-sensor payload—including telephoto, narrow and radiometric thermal cameras—to gain new perspectives on unfolding events. The Skydio X10 also features NightSense technology, which enables it to fly autonomously and avoid obstacles in zero-light conditions. This allows crisis response teams to work effectively around the clock.
Supported by the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team, public safety agencies can stream video from the Skydio X10 drone to first responders so those who need access to imagery can access it in a timely manner. "Timely" is the name of the game in first response, and the platform can power up in 40 seconds or less and reach a max flight speed of 45 miles per hour with 40 minutes of flight time. A product of the Verizon Frontline Innovation Program and its partnership with Skydio, the drone marks another step toward improved situational awareness in emergency response.
Drones and other public safety technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in emergency response scenarios. In addition to looking at drones for search and rescue missions, agencies may consider them for situational awareness, or use drones for law enforcement operations. All this demands a high level of connectivity.
The public safety community recognizes the importance of robust connectivity as it plans to support future missions with connected innovations in public safety, such as uncrewed aircraft. Specifically, 5G is viewed as a key connectivity need for public safety efforts. Almost a quarter of respondents (23%) in the Verizon Frontline survey said they view 5G as a top priority, up from 18% last year, and 54% said it's an important priority.
With low latency and the ability to process data at the edge, 5G delivers elevated situational awareness, improved communications and the ability to seamlessly share videos in near real time. This, in turn, helps public safety professionals make better-informed decisions.
Enabled by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, technologies like the Skydio X10 demonstrate the impact modernized connectivity can have in emergency situations. UAS data helps elevate situational awareness, while near real-time video and data sharing from the front lines can empower commanders to make faster, more informed decisions in life-or-death situations where every second counts.
The Verizon Frontline Innovation Program, dedicated to creating 5G-enabled solutions for those on the front lines, builds on Verizon's 30+-year commitment to supporting public safety with groundbreaking innovations that can be put to immediate practical use.
Public safety agencies and first responders nationwide look to Verizon to help them meet their mission-critical communication requirements. The Verizon Frontline Innovation Program leverages that deep understanding of agency needs, as it looks to develop effective and innovative public safety solutions.
In this case, the emergence of a powerful multi-sensor drone supported by 5G connectivity promises to be a differentiator.
Learn more about how Verizon innovations are supporting public safety agencies.
The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.