Ondas Holdings Inc., a provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, and Skyfire Consulting an experienced public safety UAS consulting group, announced their business unit Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS) is partnering to bring advanced autonomous drone solutions and services to public safety and drone first responder (DFR) markets in the United States.
The partnership will leverage Skyfire’s deep domain experience and customer relationships as well as the technology and expertise of OAS’ business units American Robotics, Inc. and Airobotics LTD, which include Airobotics’ automated drone platform, the Optimus System.
An end-to-end, fully automated uncrewed aerial system (UAS), Airobotics’ Optimus System was designed to enable on-demand 24/7 aerial data operations in complex environments. The platform includes all hardware and software components required for safe and efficient data capture, distribution and analytics.
Optimus is in its final stages of completing type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will enable Airobotics and Skyfire to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in expanded, complex operational environments.
“Skyfire has worked with hundreds of police departments across the United States to develop comprehensive drone programs with the drones that were available,” said Matt Sloane, Skyfire founder and CEO.
“Many of those departments are looking for ways to remove the pilot from the rooftop and let them focus on doing their jobs. The Optimus drone capabilities, with its pending type certification, will be the automated drone solution of choice for these agencies.”
Ondas’ Optimus Systems can be deployed with up to seven different payload options and 10 batteries and available for flight operations 24 hours a day for missions in public safety, critical infrastructure, disaster response, surveying and mapping and much more.
Skyfire brings its decade of mission specific drone training, advanced waiver capability, integration with radar systems and drone first response operations experience, and its highly experienced and solutions-oriented team is well-placed to introduce the Optimus System to its U.S. public safety and drone first responder customers.
“The Optimus System is the next generation of drones and Skyfire is a terrific partner, uniquely capable of helping drive customer adoption in public safety markets across the U.S.,” said Eric Brook, CEO of Ondas Holdings.
“Installed as aerial infrastructure, Optimus has the potential to revolutionize the way emergency agencies respond to incidents reported to 911 centers. By combining the solutions-based aviation expertise of Skyfire with Airobotics’ experience in deploying city-wide drone infrastructure, with proven safety and reliability we are confident that many U.S. cities and emergency departments will benefit from shorter response times, improved efficiency, and a more environmentally friendly solution. We are excited to move forward with Skyfire.”
Skyfire remains focused on supporting first responders, military, U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and critical infrastructure through the use of drone technology, and specifically, (DFR) programs.
DFR programs are a means by which the deployment of drones enhances response to emergency situations and adds an element of safety for public safety agencies and the community. DFR programs aim to decrease response times, provide situational awareness and increase efficiency.
