New Partnership to Remove Visual Observers for Emergency Drones
BRINC and Echodyne are teaming up to integrate advanced radar into emergency drones, aiming to make visual observers unnecessary for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
Tackling Drone Deployment Issues
DFR systems help emergency responders react quickly but FAA rules need an observer on-site, making it harder to use drones anytime. This rule also puts pressure on already short-staffed agencies. Police resignations have risen, and fewer officers are available, says a recent study.
To use DFR effectively, drones need to work over long distances and in tough conditions like bad weather. BVLOS waivers can help, and Echodyne’s radar tech might meet FAA’s strict rules for these operations, making them safer.
Fans are really curious about how this will change things.
Better Airspace Awareness and Safety
“By combining BRINC’s drone technology with Echodyne’s advanced radar, we are creating a safe, robust, and reliable solution for first responders to deploy 911 response drones autonomously to emergencies,” said Blake Resnick, CEO of BRINC.
Echodyne’s radars watch the environment constantly and give real-time updates about other aircraft, obstacles, and sudden changes. They’ve been tested by FAA and NASA.
“Echodyne radars have been used for years by UAS centers of excellence, as well as FAA and NASA testing programs,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “DFR represents a unique opportunity to introduce widescale BVLOS operations, and radars are the ideal sensor to provide detailed and accurate airspace situational awareness.”
Simplifying Operations with Integrated Tech
In BRINC’s DFR system, Echodyne’s radar tech will be part of the LiveOps platform, showing everything from drone flights to weather in one place. The radar will alert pilots to dangers, automatically grounding or rerouting drones if needed.
“It’s exciting to partner with BRINC and see Echodyne radar used in new ways. Our radar is trusted for the precision and reliability required to support military operations and we’re thrilled to see it used for critical infrastructure protection and now to enhance public safety DFR initiatives,” says David Lewin, Critical Infrastructure RSM at Echodyne.
“Staffing is always critical at any agency,” says Don Redmond, VP of Advanced Public Safety Projects at BRINC. “Putting people on rooftops is always challenging. If we can remove the need for that visual observer, and enable agencies to implement this technology safely and easily, that makes DFR available and scalable for all agencies.”
To help more agencies use this tech, BRINC offers payment plans spread over several years, making it easier to afford.
For more details on BRINC’s DFR tools, visit BRINC Drones. For info on Echodyne’s radar solutions, check out Echodyne.
About BRINC
BRINC makes advanced tech for public safety, used by over 500 agencies and 10% of SWAT teams in the U.S. They control their supply chain and manufacture in America, backed by top investors.
About Echodyne
Echodyne designs and builds advanced radar solutions for defense, government, and commercial uses. Their MESA® technology is a big deal in radar engineering, offering great performance and data at a lower cost. Investors include Bill Gates and Northrop Grumman.
