Two Seattle-area companies are bringing their drone and radar technologies together to help police and other law enforcement agencies win FAA approval to use drones to respond to 911 calls beyond visual line of sight.
Seattle-based Brinc announced Thursday morning that it will integrate advanced radar technology from Kirkland-based Echodyne into its system that includes a new 911 public safety drone unveiled in May.
Brinc said in a news release that Echodyne’s MESA radar technology “will add a layer of safety and reliability while providing a path for BRINC’s customers to meet the stringent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations with a visual observer.”
The company’s customers include law enforcement agencies around the country. FAA waivers are required to operate drones beyond visual line of sight.
Under the partnership, Brinc will use Echodyne’s technology to send radar readings to police and other law enforcement agencies using Brinc’s first responder drone and its LiveOps software.
Brinc says this will provide “a comprehensive, all-in-one view of the surrounding airspace,” automatically triggering warnings of potential dangers, and enabling automated grounding or rerouting of drones to avoid hazards.
Its new “Responder” drone includes an array of high-definition cameras, and a thermal sensor that can identify hot spots during structure fires and help locate people who are missing or injured, according to the company.
Brinc estimates that the drone can resolve about 25% of calls without dispatching officers. For example, the drone can deliver medical supplies, and handle other low-priority calls that don’t require human intervention.
