Ondas, a provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, partnered with Skyfire Consulting to provide a drone solution to public safety agencies. 

Skyfire and Ondas’ business unit, Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS), will 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 experience and customer relationships as well as the technology and expertise of OAS’ business unit's American Robotics and Airobotics, which include Airobotics’ automated drone platform, the Optimus System.

Airobotics’ Optimus System is an end-to-end, fully automated uncrewed aerial system (UAS). It's designed to enable on-demand 24/7 aerial data operations in complex environments, which law enforcement agencies may encounter during responses to calls.

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 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,” Skyfire Founder and CEO Matt Sloane said. “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 more.

Skyfire brings its decade of mission specific drone training, advanced waiver capability, integration with radar systems, and drone first response operations experience.

"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 US," Ondas Holdings CEO Eric Brook said. "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.”