Drone Surveillance

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is exploring drone technology to monitor its fleet of 6,000 buses in New York City, a move that has sparked heated discussions among stakeholders. The MTA aims to use drones for creating real-time maps of bus locations to improve operational efficiency. This initiative is part of the MTA’s broader effort to enhance its tracking systems, which currently rely on Yard Tracker, a system some argue has accuracy issues.

So, 2024 is quickly shaping into the year of ultra-capable yet ultra-lightweight nano drones. After HoverAir X1 Pro Max and DJI Neo, drone maker Vantage Robotics has unveiled Trace, a new pocket-sized drone for covert aerial reconnaissance. Trace weighs only 153 grams but carries a multi-camera system and can fly for up to 30 minutes with a single battery.

Central Park visitors may soon find themselves under the watchful eye of NYPD drones, as the iconic Manhattan park faces a dramatic uptick in crime. Mayor Eric Adams has suggested deploying drones and other new technologies to address the alarming rise in sex crimes, assaults, and robberies in the area.

The shocking attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been the focus of intense investigation. This week, FBI Director Christopher Wray shared critical updates during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, offering insights into the mind of the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and the role a DJI drone played in his plan.

On July 13, 2024, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Investigators now say the gunman utilized a DJI drone to conduct pre-attack reconnaissance, significantly aiding his ability to carry out the attack.

Volarious, a Singapore-based tech company specializing in tethered drone systems, has announced the launch of V-Scan software that identifies, follows, and records multiple objects ⁠— including people and vehicles ⁠— with exceptional clarity and precision. The sophisticated software is available exclusively for Volarious app users.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is flagging constitutional concerns with police using drone technology to surveil public gatherings and the vital protections communities need to curb abuse. These questions come in light of the news that police departments have already used drones to monitor everything from large-scale public gatherings, such as parades and protests, to small, private gatherings like backyard barbeques.

It is now illegal for anyone to pilot a commercial drone in St. Louis in what could be considered a surveillance operation without written permission from the city, thanks to a single, divisive operator.

In another example of isolated obnoxious drone operation producing regressive rules for all users, St. Louis is finalizing an ordinance requiring anyone flying UAVs for commercial purposes to obtain a specific city authorization, in addition to having a Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 license. 

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has gained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly a large drone over a portion of the US 33 corridor northwest of Columbus. A 20-pound drone will now fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) to monitor traffic and assist with incident management.

Clashing priorities of personal privacy, collective security, use of unpopular surveillance applications, and respect of federal airspace regulations are inflaming tempers in one Saint Louis neighborhood, whose resident are fighting to prevent an outside crime fighting advocate from using drones as for-hire aerial watch dogs.

New York State has announced additional measures to protect beachgoers from sharks at Long Island State Park beaches this summer. More specifically, 10 new drones are being deployed to enhance the State’s shark monitoring capacity.

The eBee series of fixed-wing drones will add a new member in 2023. According to drone maker AgEagle Aerial Systems, its new eBee Vision drone will come equipped with 32x zoom and powerful thermal observation capabilities.

Law enforcement agencies have been among the many public service and business entities that have used drones to improve their operations, but police in Pittsburgh are reportedly still sitting on a $62,000 unused UAV investment due to concerns about negative public reaction to the craft.

Russian drones, which help target Ukrainian troops, are being manufactured using Western technology and parts from around the world. This is a claim that Ukraine has put forward after stripping down a surveillance drone it captured from Russia.

Grambling State University, a historically Black college in northern Louisiana, has announced that it is starting drone patrols on the campus. According to Police Chief Rod Demery, security drones will help his department get a better view of the events on campus.

Leading European maritime drone surveillance and data collection company TEKEVER has announced its partnership with global shipping giant Scorpio in an effort to accelerate deployment of UAVs for security and other operations above the seas.

Reversing a position it took last year, Canada’s government says it is sending cutting-edge surveillance cameras for use on Turkish military drones in armed conflict ­– this time in Ukraine.

The shooting of five Arizona police officers by an assailant barricaded in a house have prompted renewed calls from officials in Phoenix to equip law enforcement forces with drones, whose remote surveillance capabilities can inform cops of hidden dangers facing them.

About 50 tons of floating debris – plastics, wood, cardboard, organic material, mooring lines – are collected every year from the docks in Belgium’s port of Antwerp. Not only does this waste pollute the waters, but it also has an impact on biodiversity and can cause damage to ships. This is why port authorities are now turning to drones to detect and clean up the debris as soon as possible.

More countries are looking to follow the lead of UK cities that have deployed drones in an effort to identify, punish, and ultimately deter people responsible the surging problem of illegal dumping in public areas.