Drones in the service of the police, border guards, firefighting, health, search, and rescue operations allow for a quick response to threats and avoid the biggest problems with getting to the site. However, the limitations of battery-powered drones prevent first responders from executing longer missions and carrying additional equipment that can extend their capabilities.
An Atlanta-based drone manufacturer Sonin Hybrid has unveiled a Recruit quadcopter drone built exclusively for first responders with extended flight time and greater capabilities than typical commercial drones. It uses Sonin Hybrid’s patent-pending gasoline and battery-powered system to recharge batteries while in flight. The gasoline engine hooked up to a generator, which in turn continuously charges the batteries for the four electric motors.
The drone has a fully-equipped flight time of over three hours. It can reach speeds over 140mph (225 km/h), which is three times faster than most of the fastest commercial drones available today, according to the company. With more than three hour flight time, first responders can carry out more extended police, fire, and search and rescue missions.
Coupled with a lightweight airframe and carbon fiber body, the Sonin Hybrid Recruit also offers enhanced payload capabilities.
The Recruit drone is equipped with a high-tech payload, including a 30X optical/12X digital zoom 4K video camera with fixed and mobile target tracking, Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLiR) camera with night vision, PA speakers, spotlight, and additional sensors for first responder missions.
The drone can be controlled remotely in real-time or can autonomously follow a preprogrammed flight path. With the ability to assess and mitigate more situations from a remote location, the Recruit keeps first responders safe in a world of emerging challenges.