Aerodome’s Drones: The Future of Crime Scene Response

Drones vs. Helicopters: The New Normal in LA

In Los Angeles, Police helicopters have long dominated the skies. But now, drones are taking over as the preferred tool for First Responders. Aerodome, a startup based in LA, is at the forefront of this shift. They operate in the Drone-As-First-Responder (DFR) space, deploying UAVs to provide immediate eyes on potential problems such as crimes, medical emergencies, or fires.

Faster Response Times

Aerodome’s drones can reach a scene in just 85 seconds, a huge improvement over the typical 5-10 minute response time of traditional methods. According to TechCrunch, CEO Rahul Sidhu highlighted this as a critical advantage, stating that these few minutes could be the difference between life and death.

Police Focused, But Open to All

Aerodome is currently prioritizing partnerships with police departments. According to Sidhu, fire departments are more resistant to adopting new technologies. “It’s just a different culture,” he said. “There’s a lot of, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’”

Not Making Drones, But Making Them Work

Interestingly, Aerodome doesn’t manufacture drones. Instead, they partner with hardware makers. Amid scrutiny over DJI’s ties to the Chinese government, some clients prefer American-made drones. However, Sidhu acknowledges that DJI still excels in certain areas, like the ability to read a license plate from 400 feet. The Aerodome website shows a drone in a box setup using a rebranded, DJI Matrice 350 drone.

Automated, Not Autonomous

Aerodome’s system kicks into action following a 911 call, deploying drones from decentralized launch facilities in under three minutes. Sidhu clarified that while their systems are “automated,” they are not fully “autonomous” to avoid regulatory issues. Human operators supervise and can take control if needed, complying with FAA requirements.

Expanding Reach and Funding

Aerodome is currently active in four cities in Los Angeles County, with additional clients in the Bay Area, New Mexico, and other states. They recently raised $21.5 million in a Series A funding round led by CRV, bringing their total funding to $28 million. This investment will help expand their coverage and grow their team, which currently has around 30 people.

DroneXL’s Take

Aerodome’s use of drones marks a significant shift in emergency response technology. The rapid response times and efficient surveillance capabilities of drones could revolutionize how first responders handle incidents, ultimately saving lives. As Drone Technology continues to evolve, it’s likely we’ll see even broader adoption and more advanced features in the future.