Campbell Police Department
The Campbell Police Department faced significant limitations with their Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. Restricted visibility and operational area posed a major challenge, preventing the full potential of DFR operations from being realized. This constraint required the involvement of human visual observers on rooftops and allowed for daytime-only waivers for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, limiting the department's ability to efficiently gather aerial situational awareness and rapidly respond to emergencies.
Campbell PD implemented DedroneBeyond, a ground-based detect-and-avoid system powered by AI sensor-fusion technology. DedroneBeyond combines data from MatrixSpace radars, 360-degree camera array, ADS-B and a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera to enable seamless Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This solution enabled the department to phase out the necessity of human visual observers, pivot to a 24/7 operational model and fly drones more efficiently and with less public disturbances at the 200 – 400 feet altitude. The solution acts as a virtual visual observer, managed by a remote pilot from a control center. It allows drones to be deployed quickly, ascend to 400 feet, and safely navigate incidents with precision, all while utilizing AI-driven sensor fusion technology to accurately detect and avoid crewed aircraft.
Campbell PD has achieved an FAA waiver for seamless, round-the-clock BVLOS drone operations using their existent drone fleet. This advancement has drastically enhanced their emergency response capabilities by providing real-time situational awareness, leading to more informed and swift decision-making. The ability to operate drones efficiently both day and night has optimized resource allocation and significantly improved officer and public safety.
This FAA approval is a major milestone for our department and our community. With the ability to conduct drone operations day or night without the need for visual observers, we can respond faster and more effectively to emergencies, improving both officer and public safety. This technology is a game changer in ensuring we have the tools to support our community when it matters most.
Chief Gary Berg of the Campbell Police Department
