La firma israelí Airobotics ha desarrollado un sistema de vigilancia aerea completamente autónomo, basado en el uso de UAVs. El sistema recibe un programa de vuelo y lo lleva a cabo de manera totalmente autónoma desde el despegue hasta el aterrizaje. Más aún: Si detecta un nivel de batería por debajo de un umbral establecido, regresa a la base y un brazo robótico le cambia las baterías para que pueda continuar la misión.
The “Excellence in Police Aviation” award, sponsored by Bell Helicopter, was accepted by Detective Dave Banks and Constable Andrew Olesen for their efforts in the concept, research, formation and operation of a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program for the police service. Halton has been using a small unmanned aerial vehicle since 2009 following the establishment of a partnership with the University of Toronto- Forensic Science Program and Waterloo Company, Aeryon Labs Inc.Use of the UAV has resulted in improved efficiencies for police and the enhancement of service delivery in a multitude of scenarios, including: search and rescue, crime scene forensics, traffic collision reconstruction and marine operations.
When disaster strikes, a quick response is necessary in order to save lives. In most cases, there’s a limited window of time for responders to rescue survivors, and often this window shrinks as it takes firefighters, police, and first responders use a great deal of time to gather information and plot a rescue strategy.
Fortunately, there’s an easy, time-efficient method of gathering data during and after a disaster: UAV search and rescue. Police UAVs are fast becoming a trusted method of disaster management: With a UAV, police and other rescue workers have the ability to get real information about a disaster right away, maximizing the time available to perform search and rescue operations. Jerry Stuckey, a veteran firefighter and CEO of FireFlight UAS, an Oklahoma-based drone company, notes how long it can take to get information after a disaster using traditional means: “It’s usually 45 minutes to an hour after you arrive on scene on an incident before you get real information. We can have[a UAV] up in the air in three minutes.”
In addition to offering a speedy method of obtaining information after a disaster, UAV search and rescue also enhances the safety of police officials and first responders. FireFlight police UAVs offer the option for responders to stay back until more information is gathered and the situation can be assessed properly. In just a few minutes, a police UAV will give disaster management officials the whole picture in real time. By using a UAV, police and other officials will be more capable of responding quickly and saving more lives. UAV search and rescue also offers a safer approach to disaster management because a drone, unlike a helicopter, won’t upset the scene. Most helicopters stir up debris and dust that can compromise a scene and increase the dangers to survivors and rescuers alike, but that’s not the case with police UAVs. When emergency officials send in a UAV, police can be certain that the ground won’t be disturbed and that they’ll get an accurate picture of what needs to be done to save lives.
World leaders such as US president Barack Obama are expected to attend this summer's economic gathering, and a massive security operation is planned at the luxury Lough Erne golf resort which is hosting the conference. (Read more)
Two remote-control helicopters could be photographing crime scenes and searching for missing people in Arlington as soon as next month. Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson announced Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration has given the city permission to get the wheels moving on this project in late February. Police are quick to emphasize that these 4- to 5-foot-long aircraft aren’t the same as military drones: “They’re unmanned aircraft,” Arlington police spokeswoman Tiara Richard said. The unmanned craft, which can fly at speeds up to 40 mph, are intended as a more affordable alternative to traditional police helicopters usually employed in search missions. Arlington police also hope to use the helicopters as part of their terrorist response plan. Once the two aircraft are operational, they will still be under very tight control. Similar aircraft have been tested in other large cities, including Houston and Miami, but the FAA is very strict about issuing approvals for live deployment. While the agency doesn’t disclose information about which cities have certificates of authorization, FAA spokesman Les Dorr told the Star-Telegram that 327 such certificates have been issued. (Read more)
