In an era where drones and robots are nearly as commonplace as smartphones, we can sometimes overlook the transformative power of their technological advances.
Dallas County’s recent Drone & Robotics Demo Day served as a potent reminder. What was once confined to the realm of science fiction is now today’s reality—and Tuesday’s event was a look at the imminent future.
A handpicked group of ten companies, all pioneers in their field, were there to demonstrate how drones and robots are here to serve us, simplify our lives, and ensure our safety. The event showcased a range of high-tech solutions, from surveillance drones to cleaning robots, that were both practical and, at times, awe-inspiring.
Held at the Dallas County Elections Training and Warehouse facility near Stemmons Freeway and Regal Row, the roster of innovators included Clevon, DroneUp, and RobotLAB—all of whom Dallas Innovates has reported on—as well as AeroDefense drone detection, Axon Air, Serve, BRINC Drones, LandSat Technologies, Evolve Dynamics, and Airspace Link.
But the event was more than just a showcase; it also marked the official launch of Dallas County’s UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and Robotics Technology Program.
In partnership with the North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA), the initiative represents Dallas County’s ambition to transition into a ‘Smart County.’ But what does that entail?
Dallas County and NTXIA officials explained that the ‘Smart County’ vision is about making the county a national leader in integrating advanced technology into daily operations and public safety. The ultimate goal is to harness the power of technology to enhance efficiency, increase safety, and elevate the quality of public services for residents.
Dallas County: A place of the future
NTXIA’s mission is to help municipalities in North Texas discover world-class smart city technologies and the resources they will need to improve the lives of citizens and elevate public safety into the future, NTXIA co-founder and Executive Director Jennifer Sanders says.
“The UAS and Robotics Program is the next step for Dallas County reaching its Smart County vision,” she said.
Sanders says the demo day was conceived to bring together stakeholders from the tech world, government, and business to expose exciting new innovations. These folks can help “drive sensible policy” and put technology to use for public good at the forefront of smart region leadership, according to the NTXIA co-founder.
The event highlights cutting-edge tech marvels on the horizon with a focus on its potential to simplify operations in the public sector and improve residents’ lives, she says.
UAS and Robotics Technology Program is a “key item” on the agenda for 2023
NTXIA launched Dallas County’s Smart County Blueprint in 2021 to assist its local governments in leveraging new solutions to improve outcomes and resource efficiencies, as well as enhancing the quality of life for Dallas County jurisdictions and their residents. NTXIA, a nonprofit regional consortium, comprises more than 40 municipalities, agencies, corporations, and academic institutions across North Texas.
NTXIA said that the UAS and Robotics Technology Program is a key item on the county agenda for 2023 to help government stakeholders understand the value and feasibility of scaling and implementing these solutions countywide.
The nonprofit’s help has been the key to helping Dallas County shape and execute its vision, according to Jonathon Bazan, assistant county administrator at Dallas County.
“As a county, we want to best serve our residents and enhance their day-to-day lives by leveraging the latest technology solutions, and our drone and robotics program is just the beginning,” Bazan said.
The Smart County Blueprint can create a “cohesive experience” for residents to have access to similar technologies as they cross city lines within Dallas County, according to the county administrator. It will also make government leaders aware of the technologies available, which is the first step toward long-term implementation.
The demonstration day came after Dallas County put out a call for innovation for groundbreaking solutions in the space. The 10 demonstrating companies were selected from 90 interested vendor responses, Bazan said.
Other county stakeholders, including the Sheriff’s Department, Buildings Department, Fire Marshal’s Office, and more, were on hand to evaluate the demonstrations.
Dallas County Fire Marshal Robert De Los Santos said his agency is excited to see Dallas County embrace groundbreaking technologies in the drone and robotics spaces.
“As a servant of the community, our goal is to protect our county best, and this demo day will allow key county leaders to be exposed to proven and tested solutions that can serve for practical use cases today, and future solutions that will allow our county to continue to progress with the latest technologies,” De Los Santos said. “These solutions will be able to assist us in our duties of surveillance, public safety, and more.
The fire marshal says it’s “truly exciting to be part of a county that is focused on preparing for the future for the benefit of its citizens.”
De Los Santos is looking at advanced technology for county inspections, search and rescue, and more. “And if law enforcement needs it, they’ll be available for that,” he said.
Solving procurement pain points
Seeing tech potential is one thing. Getting it approved and implemented is another.
Marketplace.city— a Chicago-based online platform that helps local governments find, assess, and purchase new technology more efficiently—co-hosted the demo day event and helped orchestrate the call for innovation. The company’s digital platform is designed to streamline the traditionally complex procurement process so city officials can access innovative tech solutions faster.
The company says its Clearbox Process helps guide officials through sourcing and validation, aiming to “match” a city government and tech vendor, with no extra costs to the government. Born from a partnership with New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation, Marketplace.city has since supported over 200 governments worldwide, according to its website.
Meet the companies
The ten pioneering companies featured at the exhibition provided insights into the real-world applications of their technology including public safety, parking lot surveillance, live video streaming, and illegal dumping detection. Other vendors demonstrated how they reshape mundane tasks. Use cases stretched from routine activities such as inventory management and intra-office delivery to commercial operations like cleaning, and wayfinding. Some offered remote capabilities for inspecting fleet vehicles or buildings.
Clevon
Estonian tech startup Clevon, which expanded to the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) in Fort Worth last year, is pioneering the use of last-mile delivery robots to revolutionize the transportation of goods. Designed for neighborhoods, industrial areas, and anywhere a package or parcel needs to be moved from “point A to point B,” their autonomous robots provide an innovative solution to traditional delivery methods, says Meelis Anton, Clevon’s U.S. chief operating officer. The company’s flagship delivery robots, which are fully driverless and electric, currently boast speeds of up to 20 mph on the road.
Now operating in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the city of Northlake, Clevon’s robots are extending their delivery capabilities to groceries and restaurant orders. Customers order from a partner company, and Clevon’s robots pick up the items for delivery.
A unique aspect of Clevon’s service is its secure delivery process. The COO said each customer receives a dedicated text code for their delivery, ensuring that the right person receives the package and it’s not touched by anyone else in transit.
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Serve Robotics
Serve Robotics is making strides in its mission to make its autonomous delivery robots a reality in everyday urban life.
After a successful first year in Los Angeles, the tech delivery company plans to expand to Dallas in the coming year, according to the company’s head of public policy, Vignesh Ganapathy. The sidewalk robots, designed to integrate seamlessly into urban communities, have already completed 20,000 deliveries in LA., he said. The company said it strategically selected Los Angeles, a “really, really difficult location” in terms of infrastructure, for their initial deployment. That translates to operational confidence as the company expands.
In anticipation of a significant increase in operations, Serve has a plan to deploy 2,000 more AI-powered robots in new markets on the Uber Eats platform.
Different regions have different policy and legal regulatory regimes in which to operate, Ganapathy says. In some places, permitting takes a long time. “Texas has been quite a bit more friendly,” he said. “We can technically deploy tomorrow if we wanted to.”
The company’s robots employ LIDAR, ultrasonics, and computer vision to navigate, along with an anti-collision system for safety. “We use all three because we want to be able to verify that what we think is happening is actually happening. … if we think something’s a dog, we’ll be able to verify it’s a dog,” Ganapathy said. “It’s not necessarily the state of the art to just use computer vision.”
Beyond food delivery, Serve is considering partnerships in areas such as parcel delivery and service on tech campuses. In the public interest, Serve also maintains a commitment to cooperate with cities, sharing valuable data to enhance infrastructure and promote pedestrian safety, according to Ganapathy.
Founded in 2017 as the robotics arm of Postmates, Serve was conceived as a robot-based delivery service that not only “thrills customers” but enhances dependability for merchants, while reducing vehicular emissions to zero. Tens of thousands of contactless deliveries in Los Angeles and San Francisco stand as a testament to the success of the company’s autonomous robots, he said. Spun out in February 2021, Serve is backed by industry-leading investors such as Uber and Nvidia.
AeroDefense
AeroDefense detects, tracks, and locates drones. The system can integrate with other detection and security systems, providing information about all the drones in an area.
The company, which addresses challenges posed by drone misuse, helps secure airspace with its tech to alert stakeholders when a drone enters a protected space. Alerts are sent via text, email, or audio-visual alert on a command console.
The company calls those challenges the “three C’s” of drone pilots: the clueless, the careless, and the criminal. The company says that “clueless” drone pilots—often inexperienced enthusiasts—may unknowingly risk public safety by flying in restricted areas or causing RF interference.
“Careless” pilots, on the other hand, may prioritize capturing impressive photography over ensuring public safety. These pilots may inadvertently breach sensitive areas, which could lead to accidental intellectual property theft by filming an area that has sensitive information and posting it YouTube, for example.
Then there’s the outright “criminal” that can include intentional intellectual property theft and breaches caused by other unauthorized drone activities. AeroDefense also noted the practice of placing rogue access points, often cleverly named to deceive unsuspecting victims, such as naming a drone “HP printer.” These tactics can create a cyber vector into corporate networks, raising data security and privacy concerns.
And, the company says, the war in Ukraine has “really raised global awareness as to the cost effectiveness and affordability of weaponizing drones.”
To combat these issues, AeroDefense has developed innovative technologies backed by patented solutions. With a deep understanding of the risks associated with drones, the company says it’s written “every single line of code that’s in there” to ensure safety, security, and compliance.
The identification of drone operators is a crucial part of maintaining control and safety in shared airspace, according toAeroDefense. That’s especially important in crowded or sensitive areas where drone activity could pose a risk to safety, privacy, or security.
To ensure that drone operators can be identified, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that drones broadcast their location and other information, such as their flight path and altitude. This information can be used to track and identify drones and their operators in real-time.
As of December 2022, the FAA requires newly manufactured drones from half a pound to 55 pounds to broadcast their location information, the company says. Upgrades may be necessary for some older drone models to comply with the new regulations.
AeroDefense’s technology leverages these requirements to track and locate drones effectively. In a demonstration, for instance, they showed how their system places icons on a map to represent the location of drones and their controllers, providing real-time tracking and monitoring. The detailed information available can assist in identifying the drone operators if necessary.
It’s important to note that personal information about drone operators is not publicly available. A warrant would be required when the operator’s identity needs to be revealed for legal or security reasons, the company says.
AeroDefense also has hardware solutions to monitor physical areas around critical infrastructures, such as correctional facilities, stadiums, or military deployments. Those devices can detect drones operating within a range of one to two kilometers, and up to eight kilometers in open areas, the company says.
AeroDefense aims to build a system that is self-funding, where they could sell services to industry, citizens, and some government units, allowing state and local law enforcement to access the service at no charge. The company is already deployed at 20 correctional facilities in three states and several stadiums.
With its latest advanced technology, the company is capable of detecting a wide range of drones, including those broadcasting remote ID, terrestrial drones, and even Wi-Fi drones functioning as access points. It’s a comprehensive system ensures effective detection and monitoring of UAVs in both aerial and ground environments, the company said.
The system integrates with Google Maps to provide a clear view of monitored areas, and it offers an offline version for tactical usage. The user interface is designed to be simple and intuitive, with features to detect the pilot and controller of a drone, a crucial element for maintaining security and compliance with drone regulations.
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Airspace Link
Airspace Link aims to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System and communities across the U.S., the company said at the event. With a strong public-private partnership with cities like Arlington, Ontario, Las Vegas, and the state of Michigan, Airspace Link is actively involved in building the digital infrastructure required to support compliant and secure drone operations.
By offering tools, resources, and expertise, the company aims to help departments within counties, cities, and states align their UAS programs and foster collaboration. Through its UAS readiness assessment, Airspace Link facilitates interdepartmental cooperation and knowledge sharing, enabling the effective use of drones across various sectors. As drones continue to play a more significant role, Airspace Link remains committed to supporting the growth and development of drone programs while ensuring public safety.
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Brinc
Brinc, a pioneering drone company based in Seattle, is reshaping the landscape of law enforcement operations with its cutting-edge indoor drone technology. The company’s flagship product, the Lemur drone, is purpose-built for tactical operations, giving law enforcement agencies a powerful fly-in tool for crisis incidents, SWAT deployments, and more.
“We’re getting a lot of customers telling us that when the drone flies in, you get the voluntary surrender, which is great,” said Mark Lang, a retired police officer from the Dallas Police Department now working with Brinc.
With 30 years of experience, including 23 years on the SWAT team, Lang saw the potential of drones in revolutionizing law enforcement operations and the capabilities of Brinc’s Lemur drone that not only maps floor plans in real time but breaks glass too. Lang’s extensive background in crisis incidents and SWAT deployments led him to collaborate with Brinc and facilitate drone demonstrations for North Texas agencies.
The drone not only improves situational awareness and response times—it keeps first responders safe, says Lang, who has witnessed the impact of the drones firsthand.
The tragedy of the “one October” shooting that occurred in Las Vegas in 2017 was the catalyst for Brinc’s mission, Lang said. During the incident, a shooter positioned at the Mandalay Bay hotel opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers, resulting in the loss of 60 lives and numerous injuries. Brinc founder Blake Resnick, who was a 17-year-old teenager in Las Vegas at the time, decided to develop a technology that could provide “eyes and ears” for SWAT teams and law enforcement agencies to keep first responders out of harm’s way.
Following the tragedy, Resnick launched Brinc to develop innovative drones for public safety purposes. Lang says the startup initially focused on providing the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with a drone that could assist their SWAT team in various operations. After a successful demonstration, Las Vegas became Brinc’s first customer, leading to further adoption by over 400 agencies across the United States.
Lang says Brinc’s mission today remains the same: to enhance situational awareness, keep first responders out of harm’s way, and improve response efforts in crisis situations.
But the company is committed to advancing its tech. The drone is now on its second iteration.
The drone’s deployment during SWAT operations significantly expedites critical tasks, such as room clearing and providing valuable information to law enforcement personnel, Lang says. By leveraging the drone’s advanced features, including high-definition video feeds and thermal imaging capabilities, law enforcement teams gain access to vital real-time data. No matter where they are.
That ability to gather critical information and provide enhanced situational awareness helps officers make better-informed decisions, ensuring a safer and more effective approach to resolving crisis incidents, he said.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Brinc’s drone technology is its ability to influence suspect behavior, according to Lang. The mere presence of the drone often results in voluntary surrenders, minimizing the need for potentially dangerous confrontations.
“When you’re sending drones into locations, people that are in there, whether they’re in crisis or they’ve committed a crime, they’re just surrendering,” Lang said.
“It’s not mainstream to have tech like this fly in. I don’t care who you are, what part of the country—it’s still not mainstream.”
Beyond SWAT operations, Brinc’s drones have found applications in various public safety sectors. From urban search and rescue missions to fire and hazmat incidents, the versatility of Brinc’s drones makes them an invaluable asset for first responders, he said. By using cellular connectivity and proprietary web-based streaming platforms, law enforcement agencies and crisis negotiators can seamlessly access live drone feeds, facilitating real-time collaboration and decision-making.
The drone can also be used for voice communications in hostage situations.
Brinc’s success extends beyond the United States, with the company donating drones and providing training to international agencies during times of crisis, according to Lang. The drones have proven invaluable in disaster recovery efforts, including earthquake response and urban search and rescue operations.
With plans for future iterations, including an outdoor drone platform and integration with the first responder community, Brinc continues to push the boundaries of drone technology in public safety.
“We’re constantly amazed at how fast things are moving in the drone industry. We want to be leading the forefront when it comes to drones for public safety,” Lang said.
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RobotLab
RobotLab sees a future where technology and human interaction harmoniously coexist. In a world more and more driven by advanced technology, Southlake-based RobotLab has emerged as one of the largest robot integrators in the country, partnering with numerous companies to provide cutting-edge robotic solutions tailored to business needs of all types. RobotLab is revolutionizing customer service, serving capabilities, cleaning operations, and educational initiatives with a range of robots.
The company’s customer service robots are designed to connect with customers, educate them, and guide them in real time, the company says. Its interactive robots inform customers about various services, provide directions, showcase menus, and even promote rewards programs or upcoming events.
For serving purposes, RobotLab offers a range of robots specialized in serving food and drinks, as well as delivering equipment efficiently within a mapped-out facility. Robots can navigate designated routes, drop off food and beverages, and even collect dirty dishes or trash on their return journey, the company says.
In the realm of cleaning operations, RobotLab’s cleaning robots are equipped with diverse features to suit different needs. One such robot, is capable of mopping, scrubbing, and vacuuming. “We can customize its operation based on a facility’s needs,” a spokesperson said. The robots use mapping systems and incorporate features like squeegees to dry surfaces, helping ensure that no hazardous or wet spots are left behind.
Education is another key pillar of RobotLab’s endeavors. The company’s commitment to tech education is evident in the Now Robot, designed specifically for students. The robot serves as a hands-on learning tool, allowing students to assemble it from scratch and develop their own operating systems. RobotLab collaborates with educational institutions, trade schools, and summer programs to foster technological growth and inspire future innovators.
RobotLab offers comprehensive services, including sales, implementation, maintenance, and expert guidance. “We provide a white glove service, assisting our customers throughout the entire process, ensuring the right robot is chosen and customized to meet their specific requirements,” the company said.
RobotLab says its expertise extends to government entities, where they navigate procurement processes, provide security solutions, and understand the complexities of government funding.
With commercial-grade robots designed for convention centers, large office spaces, and more, RobotLab continues to expand its capabilities. The company remains open to exploring new avenues: “We’re always on the lookout for emerging trends and possibilitie,” the spokesperson said, hinting at a possible trashing-picking robot in future.
But if you need something special right now, the company says, it’s ready to help. “We are robot agnostic, meaning we work with different manufacturers to find the right solutions for our customers. We can help connect the dots and find the right robot for your specific needs.”
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Axon Air
Axon Air, a division of Axon, best known for its pioneering work in law enforcement technology, is an end-to-end drone solution provider for law enforcement, first responders, and various public safety entities. Originally known for its Taser products and body-worn cameras, Axon ventured into the world of drones in 2018 with a “clunky application” that was a good video feed with live stream, according to the company. Fast forward to 2023: With partner Drum Fence, Axon Air has undergone significant advancements and now offers a comprehensive drone ecosystem integrated with evidence.com and real-time intelligence capabilities. That makes it the “end-to-end premiere drone solution for law enforcement first responders—and pretty much entity that utilizes a drone,” a company representative said.
The primary focus of Axon Air is to address the critical challenges faced by law enforcement in obtaining real-time intelligence and streamlining administrative tasks related to drone management, he said. Recognizing the need for swift decision-making and situational awareness, especially in larger metropolitan areas, Axon Air has established a strong partnership with the Dallas Police Department, renowned for its “robust drone team” and “open-door policy” for collaboration and training.
“Our goal is to provide law enforcement and first responders with real-time intelligence and simplify drone management,” he said. With Axon Air’s hardware-agnostic approach, it supports popular drone brands such as DGI, Alltel, Parrot, and Skydio, letting customers choose the drone that suits their needs. The company said that its user-friendly application enables instant takeoff, live streaming, notification of key command individuals, 3D mapping, accident reconstructions, and automatic record-keeping.
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Evolve SkyMantis
U.K.-based Evolve Dynamics develops extreme weather, persistent UAS that cater to various industries and customer demands.
The company, which says it prides itself on converting customer needs into bespoke mission-specific systems, can address challenges faced in congested or hostile environments.
One of Evolve’s flagship systems is the Sky Mantis, a versatile UAS capable of flying in all weather conditions. With a flight time of about an hour on battery power or up to two days when tethered, the Sky Mantis can be fitted with multiple payloads. This makes it suitable for applications in defense, police and security services, search and rescue operations, as well as the oil and gas industry.
During the Dallas demonstration, Evolve Dynamics showcased the capabilities of the Sky Mantis. The drone can withstand winds of up to 46 miles per hour, and the team performed tests by dropping the system and then continuing the flight after battery replacement.
The company says it aims to expand sales in the United States. In the past three years, it’s participated in three shows across the country, including locations such as El Paso and Virginia. The Sky Mantis’s features, such as its all-weather capabilities, one-hour flight time, and IP 65-rated payload, are key features, along with its lightweight design.
The Sky Mantis comes with a comprehensive package, including the drone, a controller, a Windows tablet for payload management, and two batteries. Additionally, a tether weighing 50 pounds supplies power and information to the drone, eliminating the need for any stored data on the tether itself. The setup allows for radio-silent operations for undetectability.
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Landsat Technologies
Landsat Technologies, a startup with a cutting-edge security system has applications for public safety, entertainment, and surveillance operations. The company’s advanced security system employs 283 film cameras that offer a full 360-degree field of view, delivering comprehensive situational awareness, according to the founders.
A key feature of Landsat’s innovation is a target camera that can actively track and frame humans, which significantly enhances its utility for public safety and security applications.
The camera system is also integrated with motion-sensor lights that activate when a person approaches—a feature that Landsat Technologies says can act as a deterrent to potential criminal activity. The system is powered by a solar panel and battery combination, ensuring sustainable and autonomous operation. Additionally, the device relies on LTE for connectivity, making it adaptable for virtually any location and requiring minimal human intervention once installed.
“We initially built it for streaming SpaceX launches on our YouTube channel,” the founders from Landsat Technologies explained. “But we soon realized we ended up building something that could be really useful to a lot of different people.”
According to the representative, the company currently rents out the systems for $500 a month, but outright purchase is also an option, depending on the needs of the client.
The founders believe that the motion-sensor lights and the potential to capture criminals on camera could serve as a significant deterrent for a range of purposes from illegal dumping to using the system at construction site or in areas where persistent crime is a problem.
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DroneUp
The sound of buzzing drones may become an even more familiar sound in the Dallas area as Walmart continues to expand its drone delivery partnership with Virginia-based company, DroneUp. As part of Walmart’s initiative to bring drone delivery to 4 million U.S. households in six states last year, DroneUp introduced drone delivery services in 11 Dallas-area Walmart stores.
These locations include Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Mesquite, Murphy, Rowlett, and The Colony. Walmart had previously announced plans for this expansion to Texas, along with Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Utah, and Virginia.
Walmart, which invested in DroneUp last June, has already executed thousands of same-day drone deliveries, delivering packages to customers’ safest outdoor locations at their homes. The delivery system is operated by a team of certified pilots working within Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines.
To avail of the service, customers living within a mile of the participating Walmart stores can place orders between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. via the DroneUp website. The drone service offers delivery of over 10,000 eligible Walmart items weighing up to 10 pounds. The service includes even fragile items like eggs and promises deliveries within as little as 30 minutes. The delivery fee is $3.99 with no minimum order value, with the fee waived for first-time users using a promo code.
DroneUp picks and packages and loads the items into a drone at each location. The drone doesn’t land in the customer’s yard but hovers above it and lowers the package via a cable to the ground.
The company sees its mission as setting the standard for drone delivery, bringing drone benefits to local communities, organizations, and businesses. Its safety practices, state-of-the-art technology, and strong relationship with the FAA have been critical to their success in developing infrastructure for growth and career programs for operators, the company has previously said.
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