The Bee Cave Police Department in Texas is pioneering a new method to respond to emergency calls with the help of autonomous drones, a move that may drastically speed up response times when seconds count. This initiative, in partnership with Austin-based startup Eve Vehicles Corporation, will enable the department to deploy drones to emergency scenes before the arrival of personnel, providing critical information in real-time. The drones, capable of autonomous takeoff, flight, and landing, require no pilot during their deployment.
According to a news release referenced by Community Impact, the technology being used is known as the first responder AV8 drone system. These drones are intended to act as a force multiplier, "will be able to arrive on scene of any type of call much quicker than an officer in a vehicle would be able to respond" said Bee Cave Police Chief Brian Jones. "It will give us real-time intelligence and real-time information as to what the officers are en route to," he added. Jones made clear that no officer or dispatcher will manually pilot the drones, eliminating potential delays in critical situations.
The drones, three in total, will be strategically placed around the city to ensure quick deployment. "Think of the drones and the stations around the city a little like birds in a nest," said Roger Pecina, CEO of Eve Vehicles Corporation, as reported by KXAN. The quickest drone to the scene will provide real-time video feedback to the officers, which could be crucial for assessing the situation and deciding on an adequate response. After completing a task, drones return to their station to recharge and prepare for subsequent emergencies.
This summer saw the soft launch of the pilot program, and as per Community Impact, actual 911 call responses will soon be a part of the drone's duties. "It's not spying on people's backyards," reassured John Buell, vice president of strategic partnerships with Eve Vehicles. "It's using public airways, known as vectors, to respond to public areas where we have traffic accidents, hazards and other incidents."
